Friday, January 21, 2011
Category:
Personal Finance Tips
New research by uSwitch.com has revealed that mothers use the most household energy according to 32 percent of respondents, whilst children waste the most energy according to 28 percent.
Excluding cooking, heating and lighting, findings have shown that families use the most energy watching TV at 45 percent, and using computers or laptops at 35 percent. It was also found that 30 percent of respondents believe that their household wastes energy by leaving TVs, computers and ‘gadgets’ on when they are no longer in use. An additional 25 percent of respondents reportedly believe that they waste the most energy by having everything switched on simultaneously, whilst 16 percent feel that leaving electrical possessions on standby is their ‘biggest energy wasting crime’.
The research uncovered that although 63 percent of respondents’ claim that their entire household is aware of energy wastage, just 11 percent say that everybody in their household makes sufficient effort to avoid it. In fact, 53 percent of respondents reportedly admitted that they could ‘do more’.
Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, Ann Robinson, commented: "In the face of rising energy bills and our ever-growing love affair with electronic gadgets within the home, consumers can no longer afford to waste energy. 2011 is going to be a very difficult year for family finances so it's time to plug the holes and fill the gaps where money is trickling away. Ensuring that energy doesn't go to waste is a very easy saving.
"Energy efficiency can start with simple steps, such as turning things off when they are not in use or using energy monitors or a standby saver. The bigger steps, such as insulating your home or installing a new energy efficient boiler are more costly, but arguably deliver a greater return. Before taking these, it's worth speaking to your energy supplier to see what advice they can give and to find out whether you would qualify for any financial support to help you with the cost.
"As well as cutting down on the amount used, I would also urge households to ensure that they are paying the lowest possible price for their energy. Moving to dual fuel, paying by direct debit and signing up to an online plan will cut around £220 a year off the average bill. Add in a few energy efficiency measures and households could very easily turn the clock back on their energy bills, taking them back to pre-2008 levels."
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Homeowners who are already taking ‘simple steps’ to reduce energy wastage could consider taking out a
secured loan to fund those ‘bigger steps’ if they do not currently have the funds required. One of many finance options available, a secured loan for home improvements could allow borrowers to insulate their property for example. Furthermore, a new energy efficient boiler could be invested in – another means of potentially reducing long-term energy bills.
