Data compiled by Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks found that little over one-in-ten UK property owners has equipped their home with any green energy sources such as solar panels.

Many green energy sources have significant upfront costs and, despite adding value to a home and lowering household bills, have not become a mainstream proposition.

While three-quarters of people who had installed a renewable energy source said they believed it was a good investment, one in four people said the returns did not justify the initial cost.

Different areas of the UK had embraced green energy more than other. For example 17% of homeowners in the East of England and Yorkshire regions had installed such technology.

This compares to just 7% in Scotland and North West England. Across the UK the average take-up rate was 12%.

With many providers and government support schemes on offer, the report found many people have been left confused by the range of options. In addition, 7% of people said they were worried about changing the look of their home.

More than one-in-ten people surveyed said they had never considered installing any renewable energy sources.

Steve Fletcher, director of retail banking at Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, said costs were proving problematic for many would-be users.

“Homeowners have different priorities when it comes to their dream home and our research highlighted that one in five UK homeowners is keen to install a more environmentally friendly energy source, however believed that the costs would be prohibitive,” he said.