Upfront costs of low-carbon tech are the biggest barrier to uptake, according to NHES

• The NHES surveyed more than 2,000 people
• Almost half (48%) said the upfront costs of renewable energy is a barrier
• Ninety-one per cent of Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X agreed they would purchase low-carbon technologies if financial support were available

The cost of low carbon technology (LCT) is the biggest barrier to UK uptake, the National Home Energy Survey (NHES) 2024 has found. 

Published by The Eco Experts, the NHES surveyed more than 2,000 UK adults and found that almost half (48%) said the upfront costs of renewable energy was a barrier for them to invest. 

The average cost of solar panels, according to the latest figures from the MCS, is £8,545, with a payback period of around 15.66 years following the latest Ofgem price cap increases of 10%. 

Installing a heat pump can cost anywhere between £6,000 to £30,000, minus £7500 available from the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Bean Beanland of the Heat Pump Federation said the “government has a key part to play in making the lowest carbon heat, the lowest cost heat, by taking the policy steps needed to reduce the price of increasing decarbonised electricity”. 

Ninety-one per cent of Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X, however, all agreed they would purchase low-carbon technologies if financial support were available, compared to 83% of Boomers, who are 8% less likely to be influenced by such incentives. 

48% of more than 2,000 respondents said the high upfront costs were preventing them from investing in LCTs

Grants are available to help, but as noted in the NHES, only one in four people are aware of them, and this is proving to be another barrier to adoption.

Consumers can utilise the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which offers £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump. Most recently, the government announced an extra £50 million of funding towards the scheme. 

Beanland added: “Once the pathway to lower cost electricity is secure, the heat pump sector will work with financial institutions and governments to put in place affordable routes to market for all consumers, domestic and commercial.

He explained that heat pump technology will “become as commonplace as central heating” with  “appropriate policy, robust consumer protections and visible affordability”.

“There is a time for all to benefit from the decarbonisation of domestic energy, provided that the acceleration of adoption starts now.” 

See our guide for a full list of grants available for low-carbon technology and energy-saving home improvements.