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Low energy literacy rates will hamper behavioural energy efficiency because consumers do not understand how they use energy, the Energy Savings Trust (EST) has warned.
A survey carried out by the EST has revealed that only 7 per cent of under 35s fully understand their energy bills, rising to 15 per cent of over 55s. Nearly 40 per cent of under 35s are unable to identify that electricity is measured in Kilowatt hours, although 84 percent of over 55s can.
EST’s chief executive Philip Sellwood said: “Understanding your bill and how energy is used is vital to reducing overall domestic consumption. We have found a consistent difference in understanding of energy issues between age groups, one that is stronger than when we looked at this by gender or social background.”
The EST said that while 82 percent of people are interested in improving energy efficiency, younger people are less likely to take action because “many young people rent and do not own their home, they are simply not invested in energy efficiency like their older relatives.”
The survey also showed that under-35s are twice as likely to own or be interested in owning smart heating controls to save money, but nearly a third of these only wanted one because it would be “fun to try”.
Sellwood said: “While devices like smart heating controls are great tools for helping people reduce their energy use, there is no substitute for understanding how your activity in the home affects your bills and your lifestyle.”
“We are calling on one generation to impart their knowledge to another so young people can learn to save energy and not worry so much about their bills.”
Goldsmiths’ director of innovation Dr Chris Brauer said: “These findings reflect on the incredible untapped potential of young people engaging with energy literacy. It’s also a chance for older people to act as catalysts for the next generation and pass on their experience and knowledge and potentially make a really substantive impact on society in the longer term.”
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