The latest YouGov survey carried out on behalf of leading trade organisation the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) reveals that nearly half of british homeowners actually believe it is important to have an energy assessment carried out on their home, as required these days by the new UK legislation. But at the same time they don’t want to be the ones paying for it:  more than half (56%) believe their local council or the Government should pay.

The YouGov research for the HVCA surveyed a total 1,985 adults to ask for their views on household energy use and home energy savings.  According to the association’s press release, homeowners believe the ‘Big 3’ in terms of reducing their home energy bills would be: new or better loft insulation (65%), a more efficient boiler (59%), double glazing (58%). Still, 59% of homeowners don’t plan to spend any money on energy saving measures or devices in their home in the next 6 months. If given 3,000 pounds to spend right now on ways to reduce energy consumption in their home, a remarkable 31% of homeowners would spend it on solar heating.

Robert Higgs, Chief Executive of the HVCA, comments: “Even now, with such little awareness about this new legislation, a sizeable proportion of homeowners don’t want to pay for it – just wait until they realise they have no option”.