Maturity brings wisdom when it comes to reducing energy bills

(02^nd July 2014)

The older generation can teach younger homeowners a trick or two when it comes to practical ways of reducing energy and water consumption, a survey reveals today.

Almost twice as many people in the 55+ age range (60.53 per cent) said they would turn down the heating by one degree Celsius to save energy than those aged between 18 and 34 (31.4 per cent).

The older generation are also well ahead on using technology to save energy, with 41.45 per cent saying they use a microwave rather than an oven to reduce cooking times and costs compared with only 12.2 per cent of those aged 18 to 34.

According to the survey conducted by Anglian Home Improvements, more than a third (37.83 per cent) of the 55+ group have energy efficient windows and almost half (47.04 per cent) open the blinds or curtains to let the sunlight in to help heat the home rather than using heaters, compared with 16.9 per cent and 36.63 per cent respectively among the younger respondents.

The over 55’s are more conscious of not wasting water too, with 58.22 per cent turning the tap off when they brush their teeth compared with only 32.6 per cent of those aged 18 to 34. Meanwhile, 56.25 per cent of the older demographic are more likely to take a shower rather than have a bath to save energy, while only 33.7 per cent of the younger group would do the same. Almost a third (29.61 per cent) of the over 55s would install a water butt to save water as opposed to only 8.7 per cent of the 18 to 34 age group.

Melanie McDonald, Head of Marketing and Communications at Anglian Home Improvements, said, “Despite the fact that the younger generations have grown up with energy efficiency being an important topic, the survey findings do seem to show that when it comes to cutting energy and water use in the home, experience matters.

“At Anglian, we find that many of our customers are focused on making their homes lower maintenance and more energy efficient as they get older, but all the small things we do around the home make such a difference too so it certainly seems that the over 55s are more switched on when it comes to energy saving within the home.”

The survey was conducted as part of a project Anglian Home Improvements has been running looking at ways that homeowners can help to save the planet, cutting their energy bills at the same time. To view an infographic that covers many of these ideas, visit www.anglianhome.co.uk/50ways/.

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