Environmental concerns drive desire for home energy efficiency as nation ‘Leaves It Off’ for E-Day

27th February 2008

• 88 per cent of people say it’s important to be more energy efficient to reduce environmental impact
• 70 per cent of Britons think new Smart Metering technology’s up-to-the-minute information would reduce their consumption

On 27 February the nation is being urged to switch off unused devices, while research released by the Energy Retail Association today shows that the environment and domestic energy consumption are a key concern for adults across Britain. The YouGov survey showed that 70 per cent believed their energy consumption would be reduced if they could see their usage in real monetary terms. New smart metering technology will allow consumers to see their gas and electricity use in cash terms and provide a real time display on a portable display device, online or possibly even through digital TV.

E-Day aims to show how small reductions in energy consumption and waste can add up and potentially play a part in tackling climate change. The YouGov research indicates almost nine in ten people (88 per cent) agree that it is important to increase energy efficiency to reduce the effect on the environment. Almost three quarters (74 per cent) of adults in Britain would like to cut their energy consumption to reduce their personal environmental impact.

Smart Meters will also allow people who generate their own electricity at home from such sustainable sources as wind and solar energy to sell it back to the national grid – helping ease demand. The research indicates how popular this concept is with three out of four people (75 per cent) saying that they found this model of micro-generation appealing.

The survey questioned more than 1,950 people across Britain, building a picture of the country’s views on domestic energy consumption and the proposed new billing and metering technology. The Energy Retail Association believes that Smart Meters are the next generation of electricity and gas meters and will address many of the concerns that British households have with the environment, including reducing domestic energy consumption.

The government is currently considering its response to the Energy Consultation on billing and metering: the energy industry is calling for a mandate to introduce Smart Meters to every home in Britain and is urging the government to commit fully to this fairer, cheaper and environmentally progressive technology.

Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association says:
“It is clear from popular initiatives such as E-Day and our research that energy efficiency is a key concern for the majority of adults in Britain. Most people would like to reduce their household energy consumption to lessen their impact on the environment. The energy industry is continually looking for better and greener ways to produce and use energy and believes that Smart Meters will help consumers to become more energy efficient and reduce overall energy consumption and their impact on the environment. We therefore urge the government to provide the legal framework that will allow the energy industry to roll out 45 million Smart Meters, into every home in Britain. It is only with a clear mandate that we can deliver this huge project in the most cost effective and efficient way.”

The energy industry believes that Smart Meters will also affect patterns of consumer behaviour. Supporting this, the research found that one in two people (53 per cent) stated that new tariffs detailed would be likely to change their energy usage at peak consumption times. Smart Meters will allow energy companies to develop a range of energy tariffs akin to those offered by mobile phone providers.

Dr Matt Prescott, the organiser of E-Day, says:
"I welcome the Energy Retail Association's efforts to increase awareness of household energy use in a variety of new and imaginative ways, from enhanced paper billing to hi-tech smart meters. I hope that it will not be long before everyone can make much more informed decisions in relation to their energy use and also access, in the simplest form possible, the information and assistance they need in order to cut their energy use, bills and greenhouse gas emissions."

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For further information, please contact:
Claire Gibson - Press Officer for the Energy Retail Association on 020 7747 5432

Notes to editors
• The Energy Retail Association (ERA), formed in 2003, represents Britain's electricity and gas suppliers in the domestic market in Great Britain. All the main energy suppliers operating in the residential market in Great Britain are members of the association - British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power, and Scottish and Southern Energy.
• The Energy White Paper, published in May 2007, supported the ERA's view that Smart Meters could be rolled out to 25 million homes for gas and electricity within 10 years. More information on the ERA’s work on smart meters can be found on our website at http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/smartmeters.html. The Energy White Paper can be downloaded from the DBERR website: http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/page39534.html.
• The Energy Consultation Response can be downloaded from DBEER website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review/implementation/billing-metering/cons-responses/page37482.html
• All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,961 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th and 20th December 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
• Further information on Smart Meters is available from the ERA website: http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/smartmeters.html
• The UK’s first Energy Saving Day (E-Day) will be happening on Wednesday 27 February 2008. The day will highlight the potential for energy saving measures in the course of a typical 24 hours, and will strive to get this message across with a series of uniquely inventive, exciting and motivating events. Please note the ERA is not a formal partner of E-Day. A full list of formal partners and further information on E-Day can be found at www.e-day.org.uk