Electric Ireland publishes 2026 Sustainability Index

Electric Ireland’s latest Sustainability Index reveals that more than 1 in 4 (27%) of Irish consumers surveyed plan to make home energy upgrades in the next 12 months. A further 26% say they have already made home energy upgrades in the past 2 years.  

Awareness of grant supports for home energy upgrades is increasing, with familiarity of available grants rising from 38% in 2025 to 48% in 2026.   

Looking ahead, insulation remains the most commonly considered upgrade, with 30% of consumers saying they are likely to insulate their home within the next two years. This is followed by solar panels (18%), home EV chargers (12%) and heat pumps (9%).  

The main motivations to conduct home energy upgrades 

The Index highlights that climate change remains a concern, but the primary driver behind reducing energy usage is cost saving, with consumers prioritising lower energy bills over environmental reasoning. 

The research found that cost saving was the main motivator for consumers cutting their electricity usage (61%), compared to just 6% who are primarily motivated by environmental impact. 

Among households with home energy upgrades, respondents report noticeable financial benefits in the home. On average: 

• households with solar panels estimate they save €58 per month 

• those with a heat pump report average monthly savings of €77 

Other sustainable measures include EV home chargers, with owners reporting savings of some €91 per month, and selling excess generation back to the grid, with an average monthly return of €34. Awareness of microgeneration is also growing, with two-thirds (66%) now familiar with the concept, rising significantly to 83% among those aged over 55.   

Uptake in energy efficient behaviours: 

This year’s Index also point to high levels of engagement in household energy use and daily energy behaviours.  

56% of consumers agree that their individual actions can make a difference when it comes to climate change, while over a third of respondents (36%) admitted they want to live more sustainably yet simply don’t know how – up five percentage points on last year.  

Amongst the most popular energy reduction measures taken by consumers in the past two years were consciously reducing heating and electricity (67%), using an air fryer/slow cooker instead of an oven (62%), and swapping to more energy efficient lightbulbs (50%). Broader environmentally friendly measures included more active travel (44%), shopping locally rather than online (41%) and using public transport more often (36%).  

High level of engagement in personal energy management  

Findings from the Index also highlight high levels of interest in energy use – 44% of consumers think about their energy use daily (increasing to 52% of women), while 47% of people under 35 track their electricity usage at least once a week. 

When it comes to acting on smart meter insights, more than three in five (89%) of users say they have changed how and when they use household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, while 59% now unplug appliances or switch off sockets when devices are not in use. 

Desire for more support and information: 

The research showed a strong appetite for more practical, personalised supports: 

• 88% said simple energy-saving tips would help them reduce costs  

• 85% want personalised recommendations  

• 74% said they would change their behaviour if given insights tailored to their own energy use 

Speaking on the findings of the 2026 Sustainability Index, Gareth Barr, Head of Residential Markets at Electric Ireland said:  

“The results of this year’s Electric Ireland Sustainability Index show that sustainability is becoming increasingly embedded in how people think about their homes and energy use. Consumers are actively considering the changes they can make, whether through larger home upgrades such as installing solar panels or improving insulation, or through smaller day to day actions that reduce energy consumption. 

“It’s encouraging to see that more than half of people believe their individual actions can make a real difference. From reducing heating and electricity use to adopting more energy-efficient cooking methods and lighting, people are proving that making sustainable choices doesn’t require major sacrifices – and can result in significant monthly savings. 

“However, the Index also highlights that there is still an appetite for more support and information – that’s where Electric Ireland’s Net-zero hub comes in. With details on products from our smart meter insights to solar panels and home EV chargers, we are committed to supporting our customers to better understand their energy use and support their sustainability journeys.” 

The 2026 Electric Ireland Sustainability Index is the company’s second annual report examining consumer attitudes, behaviours and barriers relating to sustainability and energy usage. 

For more information on Electric Ireland’s net-zero product offerings, visit Electric Ireland Net Zero Hub.