The number of UK home buyers hunting for solar panels, home batteries or heat pumps has hit nine in ten, according to a new survey from energy supplier Eon. That is not a niche preference, it is a market shift that will reshape how estate agents list properties and how lenders value them.
As reported by Eon Energy, 89% of prospective buyers now view solar panels, home batteries or heat pumps as essential or desirable. The figure follows a wider anxiety about energy bills that the price cap alone cannot soothe.
Why buyers now demand eco kit
Energy bills have risen by roughly 60% since 2021, and the October price cap increase of £63 a year on typical direct debit households is the third rise in twelve months. Buyers are not fools, they know a house with solar panels and a battery can cut annual electricity costs by £400 to £600, depending on orientation and usage. A heat pump, meanwhile, can reduce heating bills by 20-30% compared to an old gas boiler, especially when paired with good insulation.
Money is one factor. The survey also reveals that 72% of buyers want a home with a higher EPC rating, and 61% say they would pay more for a property with green upgrades. Estate agents in the South East and East of England report that homes with solar panels now sell 10-15 days faster than those without.
What this means for sellers and homeowners
If you are planning to sell in the next three years, the message is blunt: a house without solar, a battery or a heat pump risks being overlooked. Rightmove data from 2023 showed that homes with solar panels sold for 4% more on average, about £12,000 on a £300,000 property. A heat pump that lifts an EPC band from D to C can add roughly £10,000 to the sale price, according to analysis by the Energy Saving Trust.
The catch is upfront cost. A solar panel system typically costs £5,000-£8,000 installed. A heat pump runs £7,000-£13,000 after the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500. Home batteries add another £4,000-£6,000. That is a combined £16,000-£27,000 for the full package, but the return on investment, via energy savings and increased property value, can be positive within five to seven years.
Who qualifies for grants, and who does not
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open to homeowners in England and Wales, offering £7,500 off a heat pump installation. The Smart Export Guarantee pays households for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid, currently around 4-6p per kWh. The Great British Insulation Scheme provides free or discounted loft and cavity wall insulation for lower-income households.
But the grant landscape is patchy. Scotland offers separate interest-free loans for heat pumps and solar through Home Energy Scotland. Northern Ireland has no equivalent scheme yet. And the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has a limited pot, Ofgem data shows it is on track to be fully allocated by late 2025.
Households on standard variable tariffs can apply through gov.uk from 4 November. Eligibility closes on 31 March 2027. For those planning to sell, the window to install and recoup value is narrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, a typical solar panel system costs between £5,000 and £8,000 installed. This upfront investment can cut annual electricity costs by £400 to £600 and boost property value by about 4%, or roughly £12,000 on a £300,000 home.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers homeowners in England and Wales a grant of £7,500 off a heat pump installation. The total cost after the grant ranges from £7,000 to £13,000, and the scheme is expected to be fully allocated by late 2025.
According to Rightmove data from 2023, homes with solar panels sell for 4% more on average, which is about £12,000 on a £300,000 property. Estate agents in the South East and East of England also report that these homes sell 10-15 days faster.
Yes, heat pumps can reduce heating bills by 20-30% compared to an old gas boiler, especially with good insulation. They also boost the EPC rating, and moving from band D to C can add roughly £10,000 to the sale price, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Key grants include the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 off heat pumps in England and Wales), the Smart Export Guarantee (4-6p per kWh for solar exports), and the Great British Insulation Scheme (free loft/cavity wall insulation for low-income households). Scotland offers separate interest-free loans via Home Energy Scotland, but Northern Ireland has no equivalent scheme yet.
