The boiler installation experts at BOXT analysed public interest in different types of energy efficiency solutions, the regions installing the most heat pumps, solar panels, and EV chargers, the most popular energy-saving solution in each UK city and the government energy schemes people are most interested in to create a comprehensive energy trends report.
The most popular energy trends in the UK:
Rank Energy Efficiency Trend 2022 Googlr searches total 2023 Google searches total Annual Change 1 Heat pumps 467,100 1,213,400 160% 2 Smart meters 583,700 1,255,600 115% 3 Energy-efficient appliances 5,910 7,370 25% 4 Hybrid heat pumps 9,670 11,350 17% 5 Thermal wallpaper 31,860 35,980 13% 6 Energy storage 15,300 16,860 10% 7 Replace boiler 82,300 86,300 5% 7 Home EV charger 94,800 99,300 5%
Significant findings
Heat pumps are the biggest energy efficiency trend, with the most significant increase in search volume in 2023, with searches rising by 160% compared to the previous year. This increase in searches goes hand in hand with the rollout of the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, suggesting that it successfully reached a broad audience and sparked public interest.
Smart meters saw the second-largest annual search increase, with 115% more searches in 2023 than in 2022. The UK government and energy companies have promoted smart meters for several years, and they continue to grow in popularity as the public becomes ever more familiar with the technology and is looking to stay more in control of energy usage amidst the cost of living crisis.
Searches for energy-efficient appliances saw the third largest increase, rising by a quarter from 5,910 in 2022 to 7,370 in 2023. This uptick in public interest correlates with the cost-of-living crisis, which has sent bills spiralling in many households as people look for ways to trim unnecessary spending.
Further findings:
- The Cold Weather Payment is the most popular government scheme in the UK, with almost 1.17 million searches in 2023.
- One in six households in the Outer Hebrides islands has had an air source heat pump installed in the last ten years, the most of any UK area.
- Stirling has installed the most photovoltaic solar panels in the last ten years, with 14% of households installing panels.
- London has the highest number of public EV chargers per 100,000 people, 210.5. It also has more electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles than any other UK region. On average, almost one in six (14%) licensed vehicles across all London boroughs are electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.
- The local authority area with the highest rise in public EV chargers is Rhondda Cynon Taf, where chargers rose by 317% from just 35 in 2023 to 146 in 2024.
- Liverpool saw the most significant increase in searches for energy efficiency trends in 2023, with a 10% rise from the previous year. Search volumes reached an annual total of 67,900. The most searched-for trend in Liverpool was smart meters, with 13,100 searches.
These findings underscore a clear shift towards energy efficiency in the UK, with rising public engagement and commitment to sustainable living. The popularity of various energy-saving technologies reflects a proactive approach to environmental responsibility and a broader movement towards a greener future.