A recent YouGov survey reveals that while 43% of homeowners plan to implement energy efficiency upgrades, most intend to make minor changes rather than transitioning to low-carbon heating systems, highlighting a need for greater awareness and support for more impactful measures.

The survey, commissioned by the MCS Foundation, found that more than two in five of homeowners plan to carry out energy efficiency measures on their home, with more than a third (36%) intending to do so in the next two years.

However, the majority aim to spend modest amounts—more than half intend to invest up to £5,000—while only 10% plan to allocate over £10,000. Most homeowners (81%) will use their savings to fund these upgrades, with 16% considering loans.

The MCS Foundation said that although homeowners’ interest in energy efficiency upgrades would seem to be a good sign for net zero, closer inspection reveals that most of the planned measures will not make a significant contribution to net zero.

This is because the majority are planning comparatively small changes such as loft insulation or new radiators, rather than changing their heating system to low carbon options such as heat pumps. The vast majority of UK homes will need to replace gas boilers with heat pumps within the coming decades, but homeowners appear to be planning to spend savings on other home upgrades instead, the new report highlights.

The MCS Foundation’s report comes weeks after latest figures show that although more people than ever before are installing heat pumps in the UK, the country is still a long way off targets.

The charity is calling on the government to introduce a national, public awareness-raising campaign on the benefits of the transition to low-carbon heating as well as energy efficiency measures. It is also calling for the introduction of innovative financing to help unlock mass-scale retrofit.

Alastair Mumford, programme director at The MCS Foundation, says: “The technology and solutions to make millions of homes comfortable, healthy and zero-carbon are available, but we need homeowners to be informed and supported in making the transition in the most effective way.

“The government must launch a national public awareness campaign and ensure homeowners have access to advice on low-carbon heating and retrofitting if we are to make progress in transitioning to low carbon, future-proofed homes.”