What do people really think about energy?

The energy price cap for January to March 2026 means the average dual-fuel energy bill in Great Britain will be £1,758 a year. That’s £765 higher than winter 2020/21, before the start of the energy crisis.

This marks five years of higher energy bills. People’s worries persist, as reflected in the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s most recent public attitudes tracker.

We’ve picked some stand-out points from the report and explored how you can take control of your energy amid future uncertainty around energy prices.

Most people are concerned about the future of energy

91% of people are concerned about steep rises in energy prices over the next 10–20 years.

While average energy bills have stayed between £1,500 and £2,000 since October 2023, they’re still over £500 higher than they were in winter 2020/21.

You might be concerned about future price rises, so it’s worth thinking about new ways of heating and powering your home.

Our policy expects advocate on behalf of the people for the UK Government to help bring energy bills down long term. But we’ve also had a look at what practical steps you can take now.

Most people know that we need better heating solutions

88% of people are aware that heating systems must change to meet net zero targets.

Many homes in Great Britain are gas-heated, while many in Northern Ireland are heated by oil.

Moving away from fossil fuels is recognised as something we need to do to meet the UK’s climate targets. But as well as improving the country’s carbon footprint, moving to low carbon heating systems could mean lower energy bills for many.

Find out about different ways of heating your home.

Nearly half of Brits are unlikely to install a heat pump

23% of owner-occupiers have installed or are likely to install an air source heat pump, but 49% are unlikely to install an air source heat pump.

Heat pumps are a low carbon heating system. They run on electricity and are more than three times as efficient as a gas or oil boiler. But current electricity unit prices are around four times higher than gas, meaning heat pumps cost similar to a new gas boiler to run.

If you have solar panels, they can help power your heat pump and reduce your electricity use. This will cost more to install than just a heat pump, though.

If you don’t have the budget, installing solar panels and a heat pump together isn’t a likely option. But you can get help towards the cost of a heat pump, depending on your circumstances. Find out more about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

We’ve recommended that the UK Government address the financial barriers to buying and running low carbon heating systems. For example, reducing electricity costs will make heat pumps become even more cost-effective to run compared to traditional heating systems.

The majority of people know the basics of energy saving

Most people (96%) said they were aware of the most effective ways to reduce energy.

What about other ways of saving money on energy bills?

Well, there are things you can do right now, but the stats suggest you probably already know them. According to the tracker, 96% of people are aware of the most effective ways to reduce energy use.

For the 35% of those who are financially struggling, saving energy is something they think about often. When you feel the pressure of struggling to pay your energy bills, you might need quick, low-cost ways of bringing them down.

For more tips, check out our blog on DIY energy efficient home upgrades.

Energy saving awareness changes with the seasons

Seasonal changes affect how much thought people give to energy use: down from 31% in spring 2025 to 26% in summer.

DESNZ’s latest tracker features data from the summer and shows fewer people admitting to giving energy much thought compared to the spring.

This makes sense. But as autumn and winter roll in, the heating season begins and we use more energy to keep our homes warm.

You can still keep your home warm and keep your energy bills in check. Here are our guides that help you stay cosy during the colder months without spending more than you need to.

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