EXCLUSIVE: A new study has found that energy-wasting behaviours are widespread across UK households, with nearly three quarters admitting to leaving appliances on standby and overfilling the kettle
Daily household routines could be silently adding hundreds of pounds to Britons’ energy bills, fresh research reveals. Ordinary practices like overfilling the kettle, leaving gadgets on standby and running washing machines half-empty could be hitting households with costs of up to £470 annually.
A survey of 1,000 UK adults discovered that energy-wasting behaviours are rife, with nearly three-quarters confessing to leaving devices on standby (74%), overfilling the kettle (74%) and keeping televisions running in the background (73%). While each practice might appear trivial individually, experts caution they can rapidly accumulate over time.
With price pressures anticipated to return later this year, families are being encouraged to overhaul their habits before winter demand drives bills skyward.
The research, conducted by heating and cooling specialists BOXT, indicates that much of this wasteful energy consumption stems from routine rather than deliberate choice.Nearly t wo-thirds of homes (64%) confess to leaving heating on longer than necessary, while over half (53%) say they run it “just in case”.
Many also remembered expensive blunders, including inadvertently leaving the heating on while out, overnight or even during holidays. Hot water usage represents another significant factor, with lengthy showers and needless heating contributing substantially to total energy consumption. Angus Struthers, Managing Director at BOXT, said: “With the prospect of higher energy prices returning later this year, households can’t afford to let these habits go unchecked. What we’re seeing is that most energy waste isn’t deliberate, it’s driven by routine.”
He added: “People are doing what feels normal, keeping the home warm, leaving things running in the background, not realising how much that baseline usage adds up over time. The key point is that these are habits, and habits can be changed. Making small adjustments now, particularly as we head into the warmer months, can have a significant impact by the time we reach winter, when energy use increases naturally.”
The research also revealed a disconnect between how energy-aware people think they are and their *actual* conduct.
Roughly a third of Brits (33%) consider themselves cautious with energy consumption, yet many still confess to wasteful practices like leaving devices on standby overnight, overfilling kettles and operating appliances without full loads.
Even amongst the more conscientious households, 44% acknowledge heating rooms they’re not occupying, while over half continue leaving gadgets on standby (59%) and indulging in lengthy showers (52%).
Scientists also categorised participants into four distinct “energy personality” classifications based on their conduct.
The biggest category (33%) were dubbed “Foxes” – individuals who strive to be energy-aware and track their consumption, but still slip into typical patterns. Just over a quarter (26%) were categorised as “Bears”, prioritising comfort by keeping the heating on and appliances running to maintain a cosy home.
Meanwhile, 15% were classified as “Beavers”, relying on routine and often using more energy than necessary through everyday habits like overfilling kettles or running half-empty loads.
Lastly, 7% were labelled “Pigs”, consistently reporting higher energy use across behaviours such as heating unused rooms and leaving devices running.
BOXT estimates that making a few small changes – such as reducing unnecessary heating, cutting down on standby usage and being more mindful of hot water and appliance use – could save households up to £470 a year.
Experts suggest that the habits formed now could significantly impact bills later in the year.
Find out which persona you are by visiting https://www.boxt.co.uk/energy-personality-quiz and taking the “What Kind of Energy Home Are You?” quiz.
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