Member Article

West Sussex residents say cutting bills is still most important factor when saving energy

This ‘Big Energy Saving Week’ (17th-23rd January), people living in West Sussex and along the South coast have said that saving money is still the biggest reason for cutting back on their energy usage, as opposed to reducing their carbon footprint.

A survey of 1,000 people, conducted by leading housebuilder, Barratt Homes, has revealed over half of respondents (55%) from across Hampshire, Dorset, and West Sussex, said they prioritise conserving energy and using less water to bring their monthly outgoings down, and 54% said that saving money was the most important factor when it comes to why they conserve energy.

This compares to just 39% who said their reason for cutting down on their energy usage is to reduce their carbon emissions.

With the UK still amid a cost-of-living crisis, and nearly four in 10 energy bill payers struggling to afford payments, developer Barratt Homes said that the figures don’t come as a huge surprise – but more needs to be done to incentivise people into making greener choices.

Tammy Bishop, Barratt Homes Sales Director, said: “We know the impact the cost-of-living crisis and raising energy prices is continuing to have on people across the country so it’s understandable that saving money is the main reason people are reducing their energy usage.

“When it comes to energy-saving priorities, it seems homeowners are more conscious of how saving energy will impact their bank balance. At Barratt we are committed to sustainability and protecting the environment, but we are also keen on saving our buyers money in the long run.

“All our Barratt homes are designed to be up to 64% more energy-efficient and could save you up to £2,200 per year on your bills.”

All is not lost though, as from Barratt’s survey, it is also clear that people are doing their bit for the planet and are introducing sustainable practices into their daily lives. 63% of south coast residents have recycled more often than in previous years, 56% have switched off appliances when not in use and 26% have reduced meat consumption specifically to lower carbon emissions.

Tammy added: “We can all make small changes to our lifestyles to help take action on climate change and it’s fantastic to know that many people across the south coast are already doing their bit.”

Big Energy Saving Week typically takes place in January each year, and this year it runs from 17th to 23rd January. It is a week-long initiative that focuses on empowering people to take control of their energy consumption and make informed decisions about energy usage.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .