A large share of people moving in the United Kingdom now want self-generating homes, with nearly two-thirds saying they are looking for a property that can produce most or all of its own energy.

Cooling is moving up the wish list too, suggesting many buyers are weighing electrification features before purchase.

Here's what to know

According to The Independent, Rightmove research found that only 8% of U.K. movers said they would prefer to stay fully on the grid, while 53% said high energy prices have made them more interested in technology such as solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they wanted their next home to provide most or all of its own energy.

Heat resilience is also shaping decisions. The report found that 45% of movers say their home struggles in hot weather, and 22% place air conditioning among their top three priorities. After 2026's record-breaking summer heat, 87% said a home's ability to stay cool matters to them.

That helps explain why many shoppers are making heating and cooling upgrades an upfront buying decision. Palmetto can help homeowners understand their HVAC options and lower energy bills with newer, more efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps, while its Comfort Plan network can connect them with vetted installers.

More background

Features tied to home electrification appear much more often in listings than they did in 2022. Since 2022, newly listed homes mentioning solar panels are up 94%, mentions of electric car chargers are up 79%, and mentions of heat pumps have jumped 151%, The Independent reported, citing Rightmove.

Demand is 61% higher for homes with solar panels and 83% higher for homes with heat pumps, reinforcing the idea that buyers increasingly treat electrification as part of a home's value.

Cooling interest is climbing on the same trajectory. Rightmove searches for homes with air conditioning rose 104% compared with the same period in 2025, and 61% of movers said they were considering adding air conditioning at home.

What can be done?

Efficiency ratings show the housing market is improving. Rightmove's figures, cited by The Independent, showed that 61% of rental homes and 49% of homes for sale have an energy performance certificate rating of C or above.

The difference is especially stark in new construction: 89% of new builds have an EPC rating of A or B, compared with 6% across the rest of the housing stock. For homeowners who can't afford upfront costs, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 down options that can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50% and include 12 years of maintenance.

Homeowners can also pair solar panels with electric appliances, including efficient HVACs, to push utility costs even lower. EnergySage offers free tools to compare solar options and competitive bids from local installers without sharing contact information unless you choose to proceed, and it can help homeowners save up to $10,000 on solar installations.

"This Rightmove Green Homes report shows a massive shift in consumer sentiment around electrification at home," Greg Jackson, founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, said, according to The Independent. "Greener homes are not only cheaper to run, they also reduce our reliance on a system still controlled by global fossil fuel markets. They mean we take back control of our energy bills, and our independence."

Where can I learn more?

These stories look at why solar, batteries, and other electrification features are playing a bigger role in homebuying decisions. 

• Across the U.S., buyers are finding that homes with solar panels can sharply cut monthly costs.

• In the U.S., 3 in 4 homeowners now see solar panels as a strong investment.

• For many households, panels and batteries are a hedge against grid volatility.

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