Approximately 90% of Detached Home Residents Feel Rising Utility Costs. What are the Interests in Energy-Efficient Homes and Methods to Protect Homes as Assets?
A joint survey by NEXER Inc. and Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd. reveals that 91.0% of detached home residents feel the impact of rising utility costs. This has led to 66.6% expressing interest in energy-efficient homes and 52.3% prioritizing environmental performance, indicating a significant shift in housing awareness due to increasing energy prices.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 14:09 (37 min after Collected)
■ How is awareness of housing changing now that rising utility costs are putting pressure on household budgets?
Rising energy prices directly impact daily life.
As a result, interest in the energy-saving performance and asset value of homes is also increasing.
With electricity and gas prices continuing to rise, how do people living in detached houses feel about utility costs?
Therefore, in collaboration with Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd., we conducted a survey on "Energy-Efficient Homes and the Asset Value of Housing" targeting 300 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "live in a detached, owner-occupied home."
*When quoting the content of this press release, please comply with the following:
・State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd."
・Provide a link to Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd. (https://bauhaus-design.co.jp/)
"Survey on Energy-Efficient Homes and the Asset Value of Housing" Survey Overview
Survey method: Online questionnaire
Survey period: March 27, 2026 - March 30, 2026
Target respondents: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "live in a detached, owner-occupied home."
Valid responses: 300 samples
Questions:
Question 1: Do you feel that your home's utility costs (electricity, gas, etc.) are rising?
Question 2: Against the backdrop of rising utility costs, how interested are you in "energy-efficient homes"?
Question 3: Please tell us the reason.
Question 4: To what extent do you prioritize "environmental performance" such as ZEH (Net Zero Energy House) and passive design?
Question 5: Please tell us the reason.
Question 6: What do you think is most important for "protecting your home as an asset"?
Question 7: Please tell us why you think that is most important. *For "Other," please also state what you think is most important for "protecting your home as an asset."
*As a general rule, figures are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.
■ 91.0% responded that they "feel rising utility costs"
First, we asked if they felt their home's utility costs were rising.
"Strongly feel" was the most common response at 48.7%, followed by "somewhat feel" at 42.3%, totaling 91.0% who reported experiencing rising utility costs. In contrast, "don't feel much" was 7.3%, and "don't feel at all" was 1.7%.
It appears that rising electricity and gas prices have become a familiar and unavoidable problem for many people living in detached houses. In particular, heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer are directly linked to household budgets, and many people strongly feel the increased burden.
■ 66.6% responded that they "are interested in energy-efficient homes"
Next, against the backdrop of rising utility costs, we asked about their level of interest in energy-efficient homes.
"Very interested" was 20.3%, and "somewhat interested" was 46.3%, totaling 66.6% who showed interest in energy-efficient homes. "Not very interested" was 24.0%, and "not interested at all" was 9.3%.
We also asked for reasons regarding their interest level in energy-efficient homes, and here are some of them:
Reasons for interest in energy-efficient homes:
- I was curious if electricity costs would simply become cheaper, or if the quality would drop but it would still be cheaper. (20s, Male)
- Because it can reduce running costs. (30s, Male)
- Because crude oil prices are soaring, there is a possibility of further increases in utility costs in the future. (30s, Male)
Reasons for lack of interest in energy-efficient homes:
- Energy-efficient homes seem expensive to build. (40s, Female)
- I don't really understand which one will ultimately be more profitable. (40s, Male)
Many interested respondents cited "reduction of running costs" and "preparation for future price increases" as reasons. On the other hand, among those with low interest, concerns included "high initial costs" and "unclear cost-effectiveness."
■ 52.3% responded that they "prioritize environmental performance"
Next, we asked to what extent they prioritize "environmental performance" such as ZEH (Net Zero Energy House) and passive design.
"Strongly prioritize" was 11.3%, and "somewhat prioritize" was 41.0%, totaling 52.3% who prioritize environmental performance. "Don't prioritize much" was 33.3%, and "don't prioritize at all" was 14.3%.
We also asked for reasons regarding their prioritization of environmental performance, and here are some of them:
Reasons for prioritizing environmental performance:
- Because I want to be more environmentally conscious in various aspects. (20s, Male)
- Because it leads to a reduction in household burden. (30s, Male)
- Because I think using environmentally friendly things is also good for myself. (40s, Female)
Rising energy prices directly impact daily life.
As a result, interest in the energy-saving performance and asset value of homes is also increasing.
With electricity and gas prices continuing to rise, how do people living in detached houses feel about utility costs?
Therefore, in collaboration with Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd., we conducted a survey on "Energy-Efficient Homes and the Asset Value of Housing" targeting 300 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "live in a detached, owner-occupied home."
*When quoting the content of this press release, please comply with the following:
・State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd."
・Provide a link to Bauhaus Design Co., Ltd. (https://bauhaus-design.co.jp/)
"Survey on Energy-Efficient Homes and the Asset Value of Housing" Survey Overview
Survey method: Online questionnaire
Survey period: March 27, 2026 - March 30, 2026
Target respondents: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "live in a detached, owner-occupied home."
Valid responses: 300 samples
Questions:
Question 1: Do you feel that your home's utility costs (electricity, gas, etc.) are rising?
Question 2: Against the backdrop of rising utility costs, how interested are you in "energy-efficient homes"?
Question 3: Please tell us the reason.
Question 4: To what extent do you prioritize "environmental performance" such as ZEH (Net Zero Energy House) and passive design?
Question 5: Please tell us the reason.
Question 6: What do you think is most important for "protecting your home as an asset"?
Question 7: Please tell us why you think that is most important. *For "Other," please also state what you think is most important for "protecting your home as an asset."
*As a general rule, figures are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.
■ 91.0% responded that they "feel rising utility costs"
First, we asked if they felt their home's utility costs were rising.
"Strongly feel" was the most common response at 48.7%, followed by "somewhat feel" at 42.3%, totaling 91.0% who reported experiencing rising utility costs. In contrast, "don't feel much" was 7.3%, and "don't feel at all" was 1.7%.
It appears that rising electricity and gas prices have become a familiar and unavoidable problem for many people living in detached houses. In particular, heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer are directly linked to household budgets, and many people strongly feel the increased burden.
■ 66.6% responded that they "are interested in energy-efficient homes"
Next, against the backdrop of rising utility costs, we asked about their level of interest in energy-efficient homes.
"Very interested" was 20.3%, and "somewhat interested" was 46.3%, totaling 66.6% who showed interest in energy-efficient homes. "Not very interested" was 24.0%, and "not interested at all" was 9.3%.
We also asked for reasons regarding their interest level in energy-efficient homes, and here are some of them:
Reasons for interest in energy-efficient homes:
- I was curious if electricity costs would simply become cheaper, or if the quality would drop but it would still be cheaper. (20s, Male)
- Because it can reduce running costs. (30s, Male)
- Because crude oil prices are soaring, there is a possibility of further increases in utility costs in the future. (30s, Male)
Reasons for lack of interest in energy-efficient homes:
- Energy-efficient homes seem expensive to build. (40s, Female)
- I don't really understand which one will ultimately be more profitable. (40s, Male)
Many interested respondents cited "reduction of running costs" and "preparation for future price increases" as reasons. On the other hand, among those with low interest, concerns included "high initial costs" and "unclear cost-effectiveness."
■ 52.3% responded that they "prioritize environmental performance"
Next, we asked to what extent they prioritize "environmental performance" such as ZEH (Net Zero Energy House) and passive design.
"Strongly prioritize" was 11.3%, and "somewhat prioritize" was 41.0%, totaling 52.3% who prioritize environmental performance. "Don't prioritize much" was 33.3%, and "don't prioritize at all" was 14.3%.
We also asked for reasons regarding their prioritization of environmental performance, and here are some of them:
Reasons for prioritizing environmental performance:
- Because I want to be more environmentally conscious in various aspects. (20s, Male)
- Because it leads to a reduction in household burden. (30s, Male)
- Because I think using environmentally friendly things is also good for myself. (40s, Female)