Britain’s GREENEST cities the place curiosity in eco properties is surging… and people which are not as eager

The towns in Britain where people are most interested in making their home greener have been revealed – as well as those who are not as keen. 

The estate agent Emoov analysed Google data to find out where there had been the most searches for ‘energy efficient homes’ and other key terms. 

It compared data from 2025 and 2026 to identify the places where there had been a spike in people researching how to make their home greener and cut their bills. 

Popular ways to do this include installing better insulation, replacing windows and doors and even getting a heat pump or solar panels.  

Sunderland saw the biggest increase in interest in energy efficient homes with a 58 per cent jump in demand, according to Emoov. 

Royal Tunbridge Wells came second with a 23.7 per cent increase in Google searches for ‘energy-efficient homes’. 

Chichester came in third place with searches rising by 70 to 700 in 2025/26, compared with 2024/25. This represents an 11 per cent rise in searches.

Energy bills are set to soar by £288 per year from July for the average home on Ofgem’s price cap, as the conflict in Iran drives up costs. 

The latest forecasts by experts at Cornwall Insight predicted that Ofgem’s energy price cap from July to September will be £1,929 for a typical dual fuel household.

This marks an increase of £288 – or 18 per cent – on April’s cap set by the energy regulator.

Nick Neale, property expert at Emoov, said: ‘With energy bills still high, it’s completely understandable that homeowners are looking at every option to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run.

‘I’d urge homeowners planning upgrades to step back and look at the whole house, not just a single product. Some ‘quick‑fix’ solutions, particularly spray foam in lofts, are now linked to damp, roof damage and even mortgage refusals if they’re poorly specified or installed.’

But not all towns across Britain are as keen for energy efficient homes. 

People in Chelmsford searched for eco-homes online just 280 times in 2025, a 66 per cent decrease from 2024. 

Similarly Kingston upon Hull saw the second-biggest decrease in searches for energy efficient homes – with searches falling by 62 per cent. 

Those in Dudley reduced their searches for eco improvements online by 41 per cent.  

What can you do to make your home more energy efficient?   

Check the energy efficiency rating of your house

You can check your current Energy Performance Certificate rating on the Government website, to see how efficient your home is. 

Properties are rated from A, the most efficient, to G, the least. A certificate should be provided when a home is bought or when a tenant moves in.  

This will include some brief suggestions on how you could improve your rating. If you want to know more, you can hire a professional to come and assess your home and make recommendations. 

‘If possible, get a proper retrofit assessment,’ says Neale. ‘This shows where you’ll get the biggest gains, often in the loft, walls and floors and helps avoid piecemeal upgrades that cause damp or ventilation issues later,’ said Neale.

Loft and cavity wall insulation, draught-proofing, double or triple glazing and floor insulation are popular ways to improve the energy efficiency of a home.

Be cautious about spray foam and hard-to-reverse products 

Spray foam insulation has come under scrutiny in recent years, as mortgage lenders have refused to lend on some homes that are fitted with it. 

This is because it can cause leaks to go unnoticed and decay the timbers due to a lack of ventilation, damaging the roof. 

Some lenders may flag spray foam as something that needs to be professionally assessed or even removed before they offer a loan – slowing down the process of selling a house. 

‘Think very carefully before agreeing to spray foam or any product that permanently covers roof timbers. Ask how it might affect ventilation, future inspections and your ability to remortgage or sell. If a salesperson can’t answer in writing, walk away,’ said Neale. 

Check your installer’s credentials 

Always use installers who are accredited under recognised schemes and can provide references. 

You might end up with damp or even structural problems if the job is done poorly. 

Be wary of doorstep deals where salesmen use pressure tactics to sell you insulation. Always check and compare quotes before accepting an offer. 

Mr Neale said: ‘In the rush to go green, it’s easy to forget that not every “energy‑saving” product is a friend to your home or your mortgage. 

‘The smartest homeowners and landlords are focusing on proven upgrades that lift EPC ratings, cut bills and keep surveyors and lenders on side, not on high‑risk quick fixes like spray foam that can trap moisture, spook valuers and even block future borrowing.

‘Done well, retrofit work is an investment that pays you back in comfort, lower running costs and long‑term asset value; done badly, it’s a costly lesson in why energy efficiency must be about quality, not just speed.’