Housing associations are to take part in a major new study this winter looking at people’s energy use in the home and how people can save money on their bills – even when they don’t mean to. 500 residents will have their energy habits monitored over the winter months and the best motivators for reducing energy use analysed.
The National Energy Study Two follows an earlier study conducted by Baker Homes which found that regular feedback could help residents save up to £80/year off their bills. The research also found that that many homes were using considerably more energy than given by ‘SAP’, a measure used by both government and industry to analyse energy use in homes, with implications for the drive towards ‘zero-carbon’ homes.
Some 2.3 million households are still living in fuel poverty – and despite improvements to homes, rising energy prices mean that without action this figure is set to rise in the coming years. Previous research showed that there is widespread scope for behaviour change to significantly impact on bills, as well as help the UK achieve meet its commitment, enshrined in law, to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050.
Dr Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test and chair of the Labour Party’s Energy and Climate Change Group, campaigns on fuel poverty and the environment.
“People are rightly concerned about rising energy bills and the impact of fuel poverty. But it’s worth remembering that fuel costs and the need to reduce emissions are two sides of the same coin. It is important that we understand people’s motivations for changing their energy behaviour so we can make sure that policy makers are communicating to them in the most effective way possible. The National Energy Study is a great way to bridge this gap, so we can tailor polices that have the most impact in helping to reduce both bills and emissions.”
Robert Napier, Chairman of the Homes and Communities Agency, says “Baker Homes is asking important questions: how and why residents’ attitudes impact on energy demand. We hope this study will garner important information to assist social landlords in helping their residents, and reducing fuel poverty.”
The study will take place in two parts over the winter of 2022-15, looking at SAP ratings versus energy use, as well as measuring and analysing residents’ energy habits.
- Fifteen housing associations are taking part around the country: Your Homes Newcastle, Midland Heart, Gentoo, Liverpool Mutual Homes, Nottingham City Homes, Sanctuary Housing, Islington & Shoreditch, Knightstone, Riverside, Home Group, Thames Valley, Raven Housing Trust, Leeds & Yorkshire, Orbit and Hastoe.
Andrew Eagles, Managing Director of Baker Homes, said:
“Energy costs are rising all the time we really need to understand better how people use energy in their homes so we can help them save money whilst staying warm this winter. Looking at what motivates people to save is a cutting-edge area of research. Smart meters are being rolled out over the next few years and if they don’t take account of this it will be a massive missed opportunity.”
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