Brits claim to be using energy wisely according to a new survey – but with little idea how to measure their energy efficiency, this sounds like wishful thinking. Andrew Stone, operations development manager at energy saving product supplier Zenith Home, explains why education can help us close the gap between claiming to be energy efficient, and actually saving energy
‘We have an energy monitor at home and my son loves watching the readings. Children love something visual’ (Image credit: Shutterstock)
Almost all of us would like to think we are doing our bit for the environment and proving we have excellent energy efficiency credentials.
But in reality when the UK population are asked probing questions about how they are being energy efficient, many of them don’t know the answer! As part of Big Energy Saving Week, we surveyed 1,000 UK residents to determine how energy efficient we are as a nation.
The results show most people initially felt they were energy efficient. But 66 per cent then admitted they didn’t know how to measure their energy efficiency – leaving us asking the question, how can people say they are energy efficient when they don’t know how to measure it?
The survey showed there is a real desire from people to be energy efficient, they just need to be educated on how to do this. And this is where the challenge lies, people need to be given the opportunity to improve their energy efficiency, save money on energy bills and contribute positively to the environment – and it’s so important they are given the tools to do this.
One of the most cost-effective ways to improve awareness of our energy consumption is to invest in a home energy monitor.
A number of these are now readily available, cheap to buy; easy to install and the most positive impact is that they get people understanding and talking about their energy consumption. Energy monitors allow you to see in real time how you can be more energy efficient and are a great tool in tackling the lack of education around energy efficiency. Any individual that installs an energy monitor in their home will see immediately the changes they can make that will start to drive energy bills down and build their green credentials.
I strongly believe that it is essential that we begin to educate people from an early age on what energy efficiency is. Children need to understand the importance of being energy efficient; they are after all the ones that will reap the benefits for generations to come. We also have a responsibility to ensure the next generation are not left with sky high energy bills and a country with poor green credentials.
It may sound simple, but leading by example and encouraging children to switch appliances off when they have finished with them is the first small step in educating them and changing the way they think about their energy usage. We need them to understand that flicking a switch has an impact both financially and environmentally. I have a young son and my wife and I are very conscious of making him understand just this. We have an energy monitor in our home and my son loves watching the readings and seeing what makes them increase and decrease, he now understand that leaving the TV on has an impact - his energy monitor tells him. Children love something visual – actually, we all love a gadget. I really do believe engaging people in this way is crucial – wouldn’t it be great if all homes had access to this technology and our schools followed suit?
I also feel that there is much more the government could and should be doing within schools. Awareness of the environment and energy efficiency should be a key element of the curriculum for all ages. Interactive activities using items such as energy monitors and thermal imaging cameras are the ideal ways to bring to life a subject that otherwise can be pretty hard to visualise.
I would also like to see the government doing more to support consumers. They should be focusing their attention on establishing a stable and driven long-term commitment to the carbon emission reduction targets by incentivising home owners, landlords and tenants.
With the government setting a target, the end date of which they keep moving, they need to galvanise support with the UK population to really make this an achievable target.
Encouraging more people to invest in long-terms solutions including renewables and insulation measures will see a very real impact, but we need to incentivise people to make these decisions. Establishing the energy company obligation and similar positive funding schemes together with ensuring attractive feed in tariff rates for renewables will bring benefits to carbon reduction targets and at the same time provide economic benefit across the country for businesses and contractors in this field. A win-win in my eyes.
So education, along with commitment from all parties is what I believe we need to ensure the UK becomes a true energy efficient champion.
