As the rapid rise in energy bills continues to be a very real concern for Brits, new research has found that nearly a third of young people (18-24 year olds) would turn to a heating professional for advice on how to reduce their costs.
The survey by Resideo asked 1000 householders about their strategies for dealing with rising energy prices and found that 89% describe themselves as ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’.
When questioned on where they would turn for advice on reducing energy bills, 40% stated they would ask their energy provider, while just under a fifth said they would reach out to a heating professional.
However, it was the 18 to 24 year olds who were most likely to seek a pro’s advice – with 30% saying they would ask a heating installer for guidance on reducing their energy bills.
To try to tackle the challenges, more than a quarter (28%) have turned their central heating off, compared to just 9% who have considered turning their heating down by one degree – a step that can cut bills straightaway without impacting comfort.
Although only 13% said they have installed a heating control in response to the crisis, almost 70% of 25–34-year-olds surveyed said they would be willing to spend money on the latest heating controls if it meant they could save money in the long term.
Resideo points to a 2021 study conducted by BEAMA, which found that installing proportional on/off load compensation as a direct replacement for a standard control could reduce the gas used for heating by around 10% over the peak period. In addition, by replacing a standard room thermostat with a directly modulating one, a home could reduce the amount of gas used by up to 12%.
Commenting on the findings, Martin Wilson at Resideo says: “Against the backdrop of increasing energy prices, this survey has confirmed that UK homeowners are increasingly concerned about their bills – and are proactively looking for ways to reduce them. An interesting takeaway from the results of this survey, is that whilst homeowners are prepared to invest in thermostats to help mitigate their bills, they are much more likely to go to their energy provider for advice on reducing bills.
“However, professional heating engineers have the expertise and knowledge to also support homeowners looking to increase the efficiency of their home heating system and ultimately reduce energy bills.
“In today’s energy crisis the professional installer can play a critical role in helping homeowners do what they can to make their home energy efficient.”
The survey findings come as The European Union has announced plans to get 1.5million energy saving smart thermostats into European homes this year.
