Saving money and being more energy-efficient are now the top reasons for people installing eco-tech in the UK – that’s one of the big findings from the research carried out for the Hive Home Report 2025.
Working with market research experts YouGov, we surveyed over 4,000 homes to find out what people really think about energy-saving tech like solar panels, smart thermostats, EV chargers and heat pumps.
You can read the full report here. But if you’d prefer a quick summary, here are our top five highlights:
#1
It’s not just about saving the planet
One surprise in the results was that just 15% of eco-tech owners said climate change was a reason for making the investment, even though their decision will help the UK reach its net zero goal.
A bigger motivation was the measurable benefits the eco-tech could provide to them personally. 31% said they’d wanted to make their home more energy efficient, while 29% said the purpose was to save money in the long term.
#2
The biggest perceived barrier is cost
Homeowners who haven’t yet made the move to eco-tech said the main obstacle was the upfront costs (51%).
However, when asked to estimate the price, 68% couldn’t guess a figure at all – and when estimates were made, they were often much higher than the reality.
For example, a typical Hive installation of eight solar panels and a battery costs around £8,000. But some estimates in the survey were as high as £25,000.
There was also very low awareness of government grants that can help with the costs of eco-tech. Only 10% of people knew about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heat pumps and were confident they could explain what it was.
#3
Some eco-tech owners are missing out on savings
Many people reported lower energy bills after installing eco-tech (69% for solar, 56% for EV chargers and 30% for heat pumps).
However, up to 36% of device owners didn’t know about special tariffs that could lower their bills even further. These are easy to sign up to – and offer lower rates of electricity that can give significant savings every year.
#4
People think government and business could do more
When it comes to tackling climate change, most people (54%) were optimistic that the worst effects could still be averted with the right action.
61% support the government’s strategy of achieving net zero by 2050, but this didn’t necessarily mean they were making changes in their own lives. 45% felt there was very little they could do as individuals that would have a real impact.
Most people thought action could and should come from government (76%) and business (75%). Indeed, 84% thought it should be mandatory to include solar panels with all new-build homes.
#5
Solar is the most popular eco-tech
The growth of solar is one of the big green success stories in the UK. According to government data1, by June 2025 solar has been installed in 1.6 million homes.
That growing popularity is reflected in the results of our survey. 69% of people with solar said they’d noticed lower bills – and 87% said they would recommend solar to other people.
Solar was also appealing to people who didn’t have it yet. We asked people with no eco-tech what they’d be most likely to buy if they had a windfall. The most popular choice was solar (39%).
How Hive is helping to make a difference
20% of the UK’s emissions come from the home, so every decision to install eco-tech adds up. Together we can power a greener future where clean energy is the everyday choice.
By breaking down misconceptions, increasing understanding of how much support is available, and educating everyone on the real benefits of eco-tech, Hive is working to inspire more households to make the switch.
Want to read the full report? Download it for free here. Or find out how we can help transform your home by exploring the Hive website.
¹ UK Government Solar Photovoltaics Deployment data, accessed 12th August 2025, www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solar-photovoltaics-deployment