New research from BRE shows that people are increasingly focusing on energy-efficiency and sustainability when it comes to improving their home or choosing a new build property.
The motivators for home improvements and new home purchase decisions are the subject of ' Home Improvements: Who, What and Why?' - a new report from BRE.
Comprising the findings of the organisation's nationwide survey of over 2000 households, it includes details of the types and sizes of properties being improved, drivers for improvement, where people go for information and what they are looking for in their next home.
According to the report, four of the top ten most commonly completed home improvements were concerned with energy efficiency. Replacing light bulbs with energy efficient versions featured strongly (75%), followed by boiler replacement (50%), installing loft insulation (40%) and replacing windows or doors (39%).
The survey also addressed installation of renewable energy technologies, with 46% of those who had completed renewable energy works installing solar PV, followed by a solar hot water system at 26% and air source heat pumps at 20%. These were also the top three technologies for those planning installations, at 54%, 39% and 38% respectively.
The research found that 73% of people surveyed would consider moving into a newly built home, with 84% of these putting energy costs at the top of their list of priorities.
Maintenance costs and ease of maintenance were the next highest, at 78 and 77% respectively, with high levels of natural light (62%), good air quality (42%) and use of sustainable materials in the build (33%) also featuring prominently.
