Seven-in-ten people in Scotland are unaware of a number of grants available to help fund the installation of
green energy techniques.
A report by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) finds that 60 per cent of homeowners north of the border feel cost is the major issue preventing them from investing in environmentally-friendly methods for powering their property.
But 70 per cent do not realise they could be entitled to government funds to help make a home greener.
Of the 1,025 people surveyed in Scotland, more than half expressed an interest in technology such as solar panels, according to the EST study.
"People like the idea of generating their own energy and if they knew they could get help to meet the costs, they might be more likely to install the technology", says Mike Thornton, director for Scotland at the EST.
Mr Thornton also suggests that while the initial cost of installing methods to produce
greener energy may seem expensive to some homeowners, it will soon be recouped by a series of
lower energy bills as a result of more efficient energy consumption.
Another advantage to consider is the value added to a property by deploying
greener energy techniques.
An investment in
green energy will be "attractive" to prospective buyers of a property in the future, Mr Thornton claims.
Costs for basic
green energy production methods start at about £4,800 the EST says, but with the promise of "major" savings in the future and a number of grants available, this could be a price well worth paying to some homeowners.
The Conservatives recently promised that they will turn six million of Britain's homes into green properties should they be successful in the next general election.
Leader David Cameron said that his party aims to make
green energy techniques - such as solar panels, water butts and wall
insulation - available in high street stores.
