WHY NOT TRACK YOUR ENERGY USE THIS BIG ENERGY SAVING WEEK
Our new research, marking the launch of Big Energy Saving Week, has revealed that while the average Brit spends 183 hours a year tracking everything from steps to sleep, we're still in the dark about energy usage around the home.
What did we find out?
Our study shows that Brits have an average of six tracking apps or tools and spend 30 minutes every day crunching the numbers, but that desire for detail doesn't stretch to measuring the impact our gas and electricity use has on the environment, or our bills for that matter.
In fact, over half (59%) don't know how to track their energy usage at all, saying they just pay their gas and electricity bills without investigating further.
This is despite a quarter of people saying they use their tracked information as motivation to improve, with others finding it easier to set goals.
Half said they would find it easier to do their bit for the environment if they could monitor their energy usage more closely at home.
That's where smart meters come in
One of the easiest ways to monitor your usage is to get a smart meter installed. Smart meters come with a handy in-home display which allows you to see how much energy you are using in pounds and pence, so you can take control of your energy usage and take steps to reduce it.
Visit our smart meter reviews page to find out how people are saving money and energy with their smart meters.
As well as helping us to save energy at home, the data from smart meters enables the creation of a smart energy system that prevents waste by making far better assessments of the nation's energy needs, and allows us to make more use of local and renewable energy sources. This reduces our carbon footprint and contributes to the ongoing battle against climate change.
- Find out more about about how smart meters can help to reduce our carbon footprint.
How tracking tech can help you get 'energy fit'
We challenged personal trainer and fitness blogger Zanna van Dijk to track her energy use, using her smart meter's in-home display, just like she tracks her fitness, sleep and mindfulness.
Visit Getting Energy Fit to see how Zanna did, and her tips for making small energy saving changes.
"The research shows that as a nation we are keen to quantify our performance in so many aspects of our lives. But for many of us, our energy use is missing from that equation.
Installing a smart meter in your home is a really easy hassle-free step giving you more control over your day to day energy use, which in turn reduces the impact your energy use has on the environment via it's near real time updates."
- Robert Cheesewright, Director of Corporate Affairs at Smart Energy GB
You may also be interested in...
- Energy saving tips - want to take control of your usage but not sure where to start? Check out our energy saving tips.
- Powering the future with electric vehicles - what's the link between electric vehicles and smart meters?
- How smart meters upgrade our energy system - find out why smart meters are so important for Britain's energy upgrade.
