EDF gets smart on home value - the upgrades that matter
Forget doorbells, voice assistants and ambient lighting, experts reveal the real smart home upgrades that add over £40,000 in value to property
- New research finds that Brits spend an average of £360 investing in ‘smart technology’ like video doorbells but a quarter (25%) admit to experiencing ‘tech regret’, believing the investments add no real value to their home (11%)
- More than 6 in 10 (62%) even say that energy efficient products such as solar panels and heat pumps are non-negotiable when they next move house
- With nearly half (47%) saying they want to invest in tech that adds long-term value, EDF has teamed up with Purplebricks to reveal the smartest home upgrades that could help boost property value by 14% - over £40,000 for the average house in the UK*
- Insulation, solar panels, and smart heating are among the smartest upgrades for boosting resale value
- And not just long-term value – they also bring short-term savings, EDF’s Empower Exclusive can cut electricity bills to £0 for 12 months and heat pumps lowering bills by £351 with EDF’s Heat Pump & Save Tracker tariff*
With smart tech now in most UK homes (86%), the nation has fully embraced intelligent living. However, new research from EDF finds a quarter (25%) of Brits admit to experiencing ‘tech regret’ after shelling out an average of £360 on at home technology that offers little or no long-term value.
Popular tech additions like smart lighting (15%), smart speakers (14%) and video doorbells (12%), may look good in a home, however as a nation we feel we’ve wasted, on average £218 on novel tech investments, with 16% admitting they didn’t save time or effort, many saying they weren’t used enough (22%) or didn’t work as expected (19%).
With Brits now embracing innovation more than ever, over half (57%) claim they’re looking to invest in tech that adds value to their homes and overall lifestyle.
To help Brits make the right investments for their homes, EDF has teamed up with Purplebricks to reveal the smartest home upgrades to future-proof, boost efficiency and could help increase property value by an average of 14%*. That means for the average UK home, over £40,000 can be added in value**.
Taking the top spot is solar panels, with nearly half (44%) wanting them in their current home if they don’t have them already. More than 6 in 10 (62%) even say that energy efficient products such as solar panels and heat pumps are non-negotiable when they next move house.
Full-home security systems that are professionally installed also climb the list of value-boosting features; wired alarm systems, CCTV cameras and smart locks offer more than just peace of mind – something 34% of us are seeking.
What’s more, as the nation transitions to electric vehicles, a quarter (25%) of households already have an EV charger installed or are planning to get one. And households are also interested in solutions that make a lasting difference to improving the comfort of their homes, with one in five (21%) wanting insulation, while 15% want a heat pump.
It’s not just the benefit of long-term value, there are short-term savings too. Tariffs like EDF’s Empower Exclusive can help solar households cut electricity bills by an average of £800 a year, sometimes even reducing them to £0 for 12 months***. Heat pumps, which work by drawing heat from outside into the home, can cut bills by £351 a year with EDF’s Heat Pump & Save Tracker tariff****, and reduce a household’s carbon footprint by 13% a year – the equivalent of a return flight from London to Perth*****.
Toby Allen, Director of Business Development at EDF, said: “We know that investments such as solar panels and heat pumps can be costly upfront, but our research shows they deliver strong returns, including a 14% boost in property value. That’s why we’re committed to making low carbon technology more affordable, with regular discounts, new tariffs and flexible payment options to help households save.
“These upgrades aren’t just good for the planet; they save on bills from the outset too. In fact, customers that install solar systems with EDF could even cut their electricity bills to zero for 12 months. And with our apps, customers can track usage, monitor generation from their solar panels, and control their home’s energy from anywhere - making their home even easier to manage.”
But it’s trust that seems to be the biggest decision barrier for 24%. Knowing where to find a reliable tradesperson is a sticking point for a lot of the nation, with 34% saying credentials like the Which? Trusted Traders badge would give them the confidence to invest.
EDF’s wholly owned subsidiaries, EDF Heat Pumps (formerly CB Heating), Contact Solar and Pod, are all rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot and endorsed by Which? Trusted Traders across solar, EV charging and heat pumps installations; confirming all companies meet high standards for quality, reliability, and service.
Phillippa Jackson, Mortgages Operations Director at Purplebricks, says:
“Homebuyers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to energy efficiency. We’re seeing that homes with strong EPC ratings (A or B) not only command more on the market, but they also unlock better mortgage deals, from lower interest rates to cashback offers for making green upgrades like solar panels or insulation.
“There’s certainly something to be said for a home that works smarter, not just with the latest gadgets, but with proper energy-saving investments. Insulation, smart heating, solar panels, even efficient white goods; these are the upgrades that genuinely add value and can future-proof your property, especially with upcoming regulation changes around EPCs.
“Energy performance isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore, it’s an essential. It’s not just greener, it’s smarter.”
EDF offers a full suite of Zero Carbon Home upgrades; from insulation and smart meters to solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and heat pumps - and tariffs for each, so customers can get energy their way. EDF also supports access to government grants to make low-carbon heating more affordable.
Homeowners can also access EDF’s Energy Hub, to get personalised recommendations, which can help Brits on their mission to boost comfort, cut bills, and increase resale value. To learn more about EDF’s Zero Carbon Home offers, visit the website here - https://www.edfenergy.com/green-home-hub.
Top Smartest Home Upgrades, according to households:
- Smart meter
- Solar panels
- Smart home security system
- Smart heating control
- Electric vehicle (EV) charger
- Home insulation upgrades
- Smart heating systems
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Underfloor heating
- Home battery storage
- Heat pump (air or ground source)
FAQs
1. What smart home technology upgrades add the most value to a property?
The most impactful upgrades include:
- Solar panels
- Home insulation
- Smart heating
These upgrades could help boost property value by up to £40,000, according to research by EDF and Purplebricks.
2. Do video doorbells and voice assistants increase property value?
While popular, a quarter of Brits admit to experiencing “tech regret”, with 11% believing the investments add no real value to their home.
3. How much can energy-efficient upgrades save on bills?
Heat pumps can lower bills by up to £351 a year with EDF’s Heat Pump & Save Tracker.
Customers that purchase any combination of solar or battery with can join EDF’s Empower Exclusive tariff with potential to reduce electricity bills to £0 for 12 months.
4. Where can I find out more information to get started with smart upgrades?
To get started, homeowners can access EDF’s Energy Hub, to get personalised recommendations, which can help Brits on their mission to boost comfort, cut bills, and increase resale value. To learn more about EDF’s Zero Carbon Home offers, visit the website here https://www.edfenergy.com/green-home-hub.
Notes to Editors
* Based on Purplebricks sales data of property sold prices of homes with EPC A/B uplift. A higher EPC comes from using less energy to power and heat homes, this could include but is not limited to solar panels, heat pumps, smart meters, renewable energy systems, insulation.
** Value-add based on UK current average property price according to the UK House Price Index for January 2025 being £291,000. 14% of £291,000 = £40,740.
*** Savings based on July 2025 Standard Variable Price Cap and dependent on household consumption patterns. The average saving of more than £800 per year compared to the price cap assumes Ofgem typical consumption, payment by Direct Debit and national average tariff rates. A typical household (of 2-3 people and with 10-12 panels) on Standard Variable Tariff (2,700 kWh consumption with Standard electricity meter) would pay £882 per year for electricity based on July 2025 energy price cap rates. A typical household (of 2-3 people and with 10-12 panels) with 2,700 kWh of solar generation and a battery with a capacity of 3kWh will pay £0 over a year, based on July 2025 (Import and Export) Empower Exclusive tariff rates. Assumes that solar generation is prioritised to power the home with excess stored in the battery. Battery discharge is prioritised for use in peak hours. The battery is topped up using imported energy in off-peak hours and discharged during the peak. Excess energy not used for the home/ when the battery is full is exported.
****A typical customer can save £351 per year versus the current single-rate price cap tariff. This is based on the following.
£164 of savings are based on a customer using Ofgem’s typical domestic consumption of 2700 kWh electricity and with heating provided by an air source heat pump with a coefficient of performance (CoP) of 3.1 providing equivalent heat to that from a 94% gas boiler using 11,500 kWh of gas. A further £187 of savings based on 0p per day electricity standing charge based on the Q2 Ofgem price cap using a regional average. Total saving of £164 + £187 = £351
***** Found by EDF - 6 tonnes x 2.36 residents = 14.16 tonnes per household
1.9 tonnes / 14.16 tonnes = 0.134
= 13.4% reduction in CO2 emissions
The 1.9-tonne reduction in carbon footprint is based on switching from an A-rated gas boiler to a standard air source heat pump in an average, three-bedroom semi-detached home in England, Scotland, or Wales, with radiator upgrades. Source: Energy Saving Trust
According to ONS reports, average CO2 emissions are 6 tonnes per head, and the average household size is 2.36 residents. Therefore, an average household has a carbon footprint of 14.16 tonnes per year.
This equates to a 13.4% reduction in CO2 emissions if you upgrade your old gas boiler with an air source heat pump.
According to the BA carbon calculator, a British Airways return flight in economy class from London Heathrow Airport to Perth International Airport (Australia) emits around 1.826 tonnes of CO2 over 29,016km
Research conducted by EDF across 2,000 adults in July 2025.
About EDF
EDF is driving the transition towards An Electric Britain – a secure, affordable, low-carbon future for everyone. As Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, we are investing more than £100 million weekly in Britain’s electricity infrastructure. We supply millions of customers with electricity and help homes and businesses switch to electricity for heating, transport and industrial processes.
We operate five nuclear power stations and more than 35 onshore wind farms and three offshore wind farms. Since 2009, EDF has invested almost £9 billion in the nuclear fleet to improve reliability and extend station lifetimes. The five generating stations currently supply about 12% of the UK’s electricity demand.
EDF is building the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C. We are a minority investor (12.5%) in and major supplier to a replica plant at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes. EDF Group companies Framatome and Arabelle Solutions have a presence in the UK and manufacture critical equipment such as reactor pressure vessels and turbines.
EDF is enabling its 5 million customers, both in business and at home, to choose electric solutions that save cash and carbon, whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing solar panels or a heat pump. In 2025, EDF’s Customers business was ranked as one of the Sunday Times’s Best Place to Work.
It is also one of the UK’s leading developers of renewable energy through EDF power solutions UK and Ireland. We have more than 2GW of renewable generation in operation and over 10GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage.
We are one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest technical service providers.
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