Biggest fear for homeowners? Energy prices

Never mind mortgages – rising energy prices are the top fear for householders across Europe according to a new poll. The European Home Report surveyed 17,000 people in nine European […]

Never mind mortgages – rising energy prices are the top fear for householders across Europe according to a new poll.

The European Home Report surveyed 17,000 people in nine European countries about their attitudes to home improvement.

Two thirds (65%) said rising energy prices are their number one worry about the home. This was more than double the number worried about keeping up with the mortgage or rent (23%).

Spiralling bills are pushing energy efficiency measures up the household agenda, suggested the poll, with people eight times more likely to prioritise energy efficient changes than they were two years ago.

Nearly a third (31%) mean to update their homes’ energy efficiency compared to just 4% in 2012.

Sir Ian Cheshire, Group Chief Executive of DIY retailer Kingfisher which ran the poll said: “Rising energy prices are a very real fear – right across Europe, a bigger concern even than worries about paying the rent or mortgage.

“There is a staggering increase in the number of people who intend to prioritise energy efficiency and it is soaring bills that is driving this agenda.”

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