UK residents more likely than European neighbours to take saucy energy-saving steps !!

Brits are far more likely than their European counterparts to share a bath or cuddle up in bed in an effort to save energy and money, according to new research launched today (Monday 20 October) to mark the beginning of Energy Saving Week (20-26 October).

According to the research, while Brits’ desire to save money is motivating them to take energy saving measures, pressure on their time is forcing them to find a ‘green/life balance’:

·     Half of Brits (50 per cent) quizzed, say that they would take more steps to cut their CO2 emissions if only they had more time.

·     Brits are spending around 170 million hours each year waiting on hold on the telephone, and more than 210 million hours stuck in traffic!

·     Six in 10 (62 per cent) UK residents spend more than 10 minutes a week standing in queues.

·     Almost half (48 per cent) Brits waste more than 10 minutes a week waiting for the kettle to boil.

And in Europe:

·     Almost half (46 per cent) of Spaniards spend 10 minutes a week or more taking siestas.

·     Twenty-one per cent of Frenchmen and women spend more than 10 minutes a week waiting for their food to arrive in a restaurant.

·     Eight in 10 (80%) Germans spend at least 10 minutes every week organising their desks.

One of the UK’s leading financial psychology experts Benjamin Fry is working with the Energy Saving Trust to show consumers how saving energy can save money too.

He commented: “This research shows that saving energy and money at the same time need not be dull.”  Judging by how it is turning the temperature up on Britons love lives, with so many of us taking romantic energy saving measures to beat the credit crunch, doing your bit to help climate change has suddenly become a lot more attractive.

(source: Energy Saving Trust)

UK Energy prices have increased twice as fast as the European Union average. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development statistics showed that the UK gas and electricity bills rose 29.7% in the past year compared with 15% in the EU.

Energy price rises

Consumer Focus chief executive Ed Mayo said the UK should learn from other countries which may be doing more to keep their prices down. He commented by saying “We are no longer an energy island. With increased demand from growing economies such as India and China, the prices we now pay for our energy are more vulnerable to fluctuations across the world.”

With the uncertanty of further increases the UK should look to try to save on their energy bills whereever possible to fight back.

Winter is creeping up on us and with energy prices going through the roof, maybe this year is
a good time to think about efficient energy use when it comes to heating.

Small changes can make a small difference:

Bigger changes will make a big difference:

Don’t let the energy bill rises bring a chill to you.

UK consumers could save £1bn a year on energy bills by switching supplier and installing better efficiency measures, the government has estimated.On Monday, it launched an “Energy Smart” campaign to encourage people to save money on their bills.

Rising prices will add £5.2bn to energy bills this year, causing problems for people on low incomes.

Half of all households have never changed supplier, although first time switchers could save up to £100 a year.

Consumer groups are concerned that rising fuel bills over the last year will cause problems for vulnerable people this winter.

Rising wholesale oil prices have pushed up residential bills. The average gas bill has increased by 18% this year, and the cost of electricity has risen by 14% on average.

Installing energy efficiency measures considerably reduce heat loss and energy wastage, thus reducing bills.