A poll has revealed that six in ten parents are concerned about the escalating cost of bills over the next six weeks, as their children will be home from school and university.
The survey, which involved 1,000 parents with children aged 13-17, highlighted areas where energy usage and bills are likely to surge.
It is projected that an additional four loads of laundry will be done each week compared to outside of the school holidays. Dishwashers could be used an extra three times more than usual, and ovens could be switched on for four more occasions.
However, parents might have to worry too much as it appears that 65% of those aged 13-17, who were also surveyed, are eager to become more energy-efficient during the school break.
The research discovered that 82% of ‘greenagers’ believe it’s crucial to be environmentally friendly and conserve energy at home. Consequently, 33% will actively seek to reduce their energy waste at home during the summer.
The study was commissioned by Smart Energy GB, which has partnered with actor Will Mellor and the Energy Advice Helpline, to raise awareness among households about the energy options available to them and demonstrate how a smart meter can help families monitor their energy consumption.
Will Mellor commented: “Like most families, we find our monthly bills can be quite high and as the kids get older, this isn’t likely to change any time soon.
“We were keen to better understand where we could make small changes to our routine and help reduce energy usage. The kids love to feel independent, and we try to provide them with tools that can make their life easier moving forward – having a smart meter is just one example of this.
“We all have a better understanding of our energy usage, household bills and where we can be more energy efficient – it has made a big change overall.”
The research by OnePoll revealed that 19% of parents already have a smart meter installed and this has lead to 19% of teenagers becoming more conscious about turning off appliances without being prompted.
Interestingly, 26% of teenagers consider themselves more eco-friendly than their parents and are eager for their parents to adopt certain changes. These include switching off lights when leaving a room (46%), air-drying clothes (33%), and unplugging devices once fully charged (42%).
In a bid to put their words into action, 27% of teens only boil the water they need when using the kettle, 18% wash clothes at lower temperatures, and 31% take shorter showers.
Additionally, 38% encourage their parents not to leave appliances on longer than necessary, while a quarter (24%) remind them to monitor their smart meter’s in-home display.
This appears to be having the desired impact as 41% of parents admit their environmentally aware teenagers have prompted them to reconsider their energy habits.
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, commented: “Homes can feel a little busier over summer with university students returning home and schools closing, which can be a worry for the people paying the bills.
“But our research shows an uptick in younger generations engaging in more energy efficient habits in the home, and these ‘greenagers’ are actually encouraging the whole family to do the same.
“Small, actionable changes can add up to make a real difference especially if paired with getting a smart meter installed, which offers a whole range of benefits.”
