Despite record numbers of green energy installations in 2024, prospective home buyers still need more support in identifying eco-friendly options when searching for their next property, analysis from iChoosr has revealed.
Analysis found that none of the top estate agent and property aggregator websites, such as Rightmove and Zoopla, include options to filter by energy efficiency, pre-existing sources of renewable energy, or eligibility for renewables when searching for a new home.
This is despite iChoosr lobbying for these changes to be made in early 2024.
While a handful of sites, such as Savills and Knight Franks, include filtering for electric vehicle charging points, only OnTheMarket includes an option for ‘greener choice’ – though it is not clear how this is defined.
More widely, Savills includes a filter for ‘staff accommodation’, Knight Franks includes one for ‘cinema room’, and Zoopla chooses to include one for ‘kitchen island’ over green energy filters – not necessarily aligning with the priorities of climate conscious prospective home buyers.
With gas and electricity bills set to increase from April, when the latest OFGEM Price Cap takes effect, many home-seekers have an increased interest in household energy generation as well as consumption and are looking for ways to be more energy efficient.
iChoosr’s recommendations for these additions to property sites come as latest figures show more than 260,000 renewable energy installations, including solar panels and heat pumps, were fitted in UK homes and businesses in 2024.
This was a record year, with a 7% increase in installs versus 2023, which was the previous record year.
Solar panels were the most popular eco technology in 2024, with more than 180,000 installations, however, heat pumps were the fastest-growing.
In fact, there was a 43% increase in heat pump installations year-on-year, reaching almost 60,000 installations.
George Frost, UK country manager at iChoosr, said: “More than ever, prospective home buyers are looking to adopt renewable energy sources when they make their next move and estate agents and property aggregators should be reflecting this enthusiasm.
“We’re echoing our call from last year and recommending they add filtering for existing, and potential for, green energy sources, like solar panels and heat pumps, as well as energy efficiency, to their websites to help homebuyers navigate the decision-making process.”
He continued: “Stats show that being eco-conscious is no longer a novelty and UK homeowners are increasingly seeking effective and sustainable solutions to improve their homes, increasing property value, whilst saving money on energy bills.
“Partnering with local authorities, iChoosr’s schemes make renewable energy sources more affordable and accessible, enabling households to reap environmental and financial benefits, whilst supporting the UK goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
