Nine in ten UK home buyers now on the hunt for solar panels, home batteries or heat pumps amid energy uncertainty
- 93% of buyers say energy uncertainty is shaping what they look for in a home
- E.ON Next data reveals sales for solar panels and batteries (+182%), air source heat pumps (+129%) and EV chargers (+18%) have soared between February-April this year
- Property expert Dion Dublin reveals future‑ready energy solutions – like solar panels, home batteries, heat pumps and EV chargers – are fast becoming a key selling points
With many ramping up their search for a new home during Spring, new research* from E.ON Next reveals how the energy market is impacting home buying habits, as nine in ten house hunters (93%) list energy solutions like solar panels and EV charging, as must haves.
Demand for these energy solutions is soaring too, as sales of solar panels and batteries (+182%), air source heat pumps (+129%) and EV chargers (+18%) increased dramatically between February and April this year.
70% of prospective buyers say energy technology is now a non-negotiable when choosing a property, while over two thirds (68%) admit they wouldn’t have been looking for these features a year ago.
Almost all of today’s buyers (93%) report growing energy uncertainty is shaping what they’re looking for in a home, with rising energy costs (52%) and a desire for greater energy security (29%) driving the shift to improved energy efficiency.
60% state the current energy market has prompted them to seek a property with solar panels, while 61% now want a home with EV charging capabilities. Meanwhile, 70% report they’re searching for a house with a heat pump for the first time ever, and almost two-thirds (63%) are on the lookout for a home battery.
The trend is not limited to those moving home. Over two-thirds of existing homeowners (67%) are considering upgrading their current homes with energy solutions, with solar panels (70%) and home batteries (63%) proving to be the most popular home renovation investments.
Property expert Dion Dublin says: “Spring is when home-hunting typically ramps up, and this year buyers are thinking very differently. With nine-in-ten now actively looking for features like solar panels or electric car charging, energy efficiency has quietly become part of a property’s appeal – buyers are prioritising homes with lower running costs that feel cheaper to live in over the long term.
“Installing energy tech is increasingly being seen as part of getting a home market‑ready, not just an optional extra for buyers.”
Richie Atkinson, Head of Future Energy Homes at E.ON Next, says: “The pace of change is striking – over two‑thirds of prospective buyers say features like this wouldn’t have been on their radar a year ago. That shift is now shaping longer‑term buying decisions, and we’re seeing sales up from February this year by 182% for solar and home batteries, 129% for heat pumps and 18% for EV chargers as people factor energy efficiency into what they want from a future home during times of uncertainty.”
To find out more about E.ON Next’s energy solutions, visit eonnext.com/save
ENDS
Notes to editors
*Research conducted on behalf of E.ON Next by 3Gem between 24 – 28 April 2026 with 1,000 UK adults 18+ who are planning to buy a home in the near future.
About E.ON Next
E.ON Next is committed to providing innovative energy solutions that empower customers while contributing to a sustainable future. With a focus on affordability and customer satisfaction, E.ON Next offers a range of products and services designed to meet the evolving needs of households across the UK. www.eonnext.com
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