Barclays urges UK government action to close home energy-efficiency upgrade gap
BCS•Barclays urged the UK government to address a gap in home energy-efficiency upgrades as utility costs stay high. A survey found 56% of UK adults viewed upgrades as essential, while only 11% of homeowners had installed or planned rooftop solar within 12 months and 8% had done so for heat pumps.
1. Upgrade costs and barriers
Barclays’ policy snapshot found that 75% of UK adults had taken efficiency actions in the past year, but high-cost retrofits lagged. Renters reported greater need than homeowners, at 63%, but 29% took no action, compared with 23% of homeowners. Landlords estimated about £9,000 per property to meet tighter EPC rules, and 82% of housebuilders expected challenges delivering the Future Homes Standard.
