The number is stark: nine out of ten UK home buyers now actively search for solar panels, home batteries, or heat pumps when viewing a property. That figure comes from a survey commissioned by Eon Energy, as reported by Eon Energy. It is not a niche preference among eco-enthusiasts. It is the new baseline for a mainstream housing market shaped by three years of price cap volatility, rising electricity rates, and the creeping deadline of minimum EPC standards for rental properties.
Why this matters to every homeowner, not just sellers
Buyer behaviour tells you where the market is heading. If 90% of people walking through your front door are mentally deducting the cost of a heat pump from their offer, your home’s value is already being written down in real time. The effect is most visible in the 3-bed semi, the backbone of British housing stock. A typical 1930s semi with a D-rated EPC and no renewables might sit on the market 20 days longer than an identical house with solar panels and a battery, according to data shared by estate agents surveyed for the report. That delay costs money, mortgage payments, bridging loans, chain breaks. The premium for an A or B rated home has widened to roughly 8% in some regions, estate agents told Eon, though national averages are still being calculated.
What this costs, and what it saves, a typical household
The catch is upfront cost. A solar array and battery storage for a 3-bed semi typically runs between £7,000 and £11,000, depending on panel count and battery capacity. A heat pump adds another £7,000 to £13,000 after the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500. That is a lot of money. But the buyer survey suggests the market is already capitalising those costs into sale prices. Homes that have made the investment are selling faster and at higher values. On the running cost side, a household with solar, battery, and a heat pump can cut annual energy bills by roughly 40-50% compared to gas and grid electricity, based on typical usage patterns modelled by the Energy Saving Trust. The payback period on the combined installation, factoring in the property value uplift, can fall to under eight years.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Not every property is suited to every technology. A flat roof, north-facing orientation, or conservation area listing can limit solar viability. Heat pumps require adequate space for an outdoor unit and, ideally, good insulation. The Eon survey found that 70% of buyers would still proceed with a purchase even if the home lacked these features, but they would negotiate a discount equivalent to the installation cost. That is the real-world mechanism: the market is pricing in the retrofit work. For homeowners planning to sell within five years, the message is clear, delay is a discount. For those staying put, the savings on bills and the insulation from future price cap rises make the investment equally compelling.
What this misses is the rental sector. Minimum EPC C for new tenancies from 2028 will force landlords to act, and the buyer survey suggests that trend is already bleeding into the owner-occupied market. Homeowners who upgrade now are selling electricity back to the grid at the Smart Export Guarantee rate, and they are selling a house that the next buyer does not need to fix. That is the premium. Start with an EPC assessment, then prioritise insulation before generation. The grants are still open. The market is moving. The only wrong move is waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Estate agents surveyed by Eon Energy report that homes with solar panels and batteries sell faster and for up to 8% more than comparable properties without them. The premium varies by region, but the trend is consistent across the UK.
Start with insulation, it is cheaper and improves EPC ratings significantly. Cavity wall insulation costs around £500-£700 and can lift a D to a C. Then consider a solar-only system without battery, which costs roughly £4,500-£6,000 and still attracts buyer interest.
