The findings of the research, revealed today at Schneider Electric’s 2022 Innovation Summit in Meath, show that homeowners are ready to make positive changes to lower their home energy consumption:
- Installing solar panels is a top priority for two-fifths of homeowners
- Over three-quarters of homeowners acknowledge retrofitting homes is one way to reduce energy bills
- Energy crisis encouraging more homeowners to purchase an Electric Vehicle
Irish homeowners are prepared to take drastic action to reduce their monthly outgoings. Almost half (45%) say they are more likely to buy an electric vehicle because of the energy crisis, including 15% who say they are much more likely. Despite rising energy bills, respondents still feel having an electric vehicle will be cheaper in the long-term because of the cost of fuel, whilst also being better for the planet. However, installing an electric vehicle charging point at home in the next two years is lower on the list of priorities (11%) when it comes to making changes to their property, rising to two in ten (20%) in five years.
Many Irish homeowners are prepared to take the necessary steps to better optimise their property to reduce their energy bills. Schneider’s research indicates that fitting solar panels is high on homeowners’ agendas to make their homes more energy efficient in the next 2-5 years. Nearly half (41%) aim to install solar panels, with a third (30%) planning to draught- proof doors and windows, and more than a quarter (29%) will be looking to install smart meters. If respondents were considering purchasing a home in the near future, the top three efficiency features they would look for are insulation (51%), solar panels (50%) and double glazing (36%).
Some Irish homeowners have already taken crucial steps to better optimise their properties to reduce their energy consumption. Three quarters (75%) already have double glazing installed in their homes as their eco-friendly home initiative, quickly followed by over half of Irish homeowners opting for energy-efficient light bulbs and insulation as their energy-efficient components (both at 68%). Just over a third (31%) currently have a smart meter at home.
Other key findings include:
- 94% of homeowners are - not surprisingly - concerned about rising energy costs
- 7 in 10 Irish homeowners worried about being able to heat homes this winter
- Three in five don’t know where to start when it comes to retrofitting homes
Chris Collins, Country President of Ireland at Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, says:
“The path to a sustainable future has been made even easier thanks to the government's decision to lift planning permission on solar panels for homes and other buildings, coupled with the announcement in July that EV charger grants would be offered to all households in Ireland. This is a game changer for those who would like to make changes to their property because one of the key barriers has now been lowered.
“There are indications that homeowners are thinking about more holistic ways to future-proofing their home against volatile energy prices and power cuts rather than looking for one-off solutions. For example, those considering purchasing an EV could benefit from installing a solar panel to charge their car using solar energy or use their car as a battery for a short period in an emergency. This is an exciting prospect because homeowners will not only become less reliant on the grid, but also potentially be able to sell surplus renewable energy back to the grid.”
