Energy Trust Says UK Homeowners Dislike Damp But Love Solar
The UK's Energy Saving Trust has released a new report looking at UK homeowners biggest concerns and greatest home wish lists. The report revealed that solar
The findings from the Ipsos MORI survey of over 2,000 UK respondents show nearly half of householders (44 per cent) claim to live in homes with draught problems, 38 per cent in homes with condensation problems and 29 per cent in homes with mould. All three issues were even higher among renters.
However, home owners with these problems are the most likely to be taking action with nearly a quarter of homeowners (24 per cent) living in draughty homes planning to install energy efficiency upgrades in the next year, compared with 12 per cent of homeowners overall.
Installing solar panels were considered to be the "ideal" energy efficiency improvement if money and hassle were no object, with most respondents putting this ahead of wall and loft insulation and draught excluders, despite often living in homes with draught problems.
Energy problems weren't just restricted to issues with bricks and mortar. Nearly half (40 per cent) of those whose energy use feels out of control blame too many appliances in their home. Many households weren't sure how much electricity their appliances use. For example, just 16 per cent were able to correctly identify the amount of money it costs the average UK home to run a fridge-freezer during a year [1], while just ten per cent knew how much it would cost to run an electric kettle.
The UK public's reliance on home appliances was further highlighted by over half of all tumble dryer users in houses (54 per cent) using their tumble dryer at least once a week during the summer and an appetite for bigger TVs with over half (54 per cent) buying TVs in the past year which are 39 inches or over. However, 78 per cent of householders using their tumble dryer in summer and buying TVs in the past year which are 39 inches or over claim to be concerned about energy bills.
Energy Saving Trust estimates UK households could save a colossal £5bn a year through making simple changes to their energy use and investing in home renewables:
David Weatherall, energy efficiency expert, Energy Saving Trust, says, "Our homes are in better shape than a decade ago. Millions of cavity walls have been insulated in recent years and virtually no totally uninsulated lofts remain.
"We've now got to address leaky homes, encourage more people with suitable homes to invest in renewables and LED lighting and get people thinking about how, when and where they use energy. The bottom line is home owners will benefit from improving their property's energy performance.
"The research shows that living in cold, draughty and damp homes is a big motivator for people to take action and that renewable technology is the thing that most excites.
"If UK households are considering making energy saving improvements to their home then now is the time to take action in preparation for the winter months and colder temperatures."
It's also worth exploring renewable heating technologies, such as heat pumps, following the announcement of financial incentives through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Not only will households benefit from energy savings but they will also receive additional income for the energy produced.
