Is energy efficiency moving up the agenda?

Energy efficiency can help households to achieve cheaper gas and electricity bills, but, perhaps more importantly, it can also help to reduce the impact of Britons on the planet.

And according to new research from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 47 per cent of people would now like to do a bit more to help the environment, an increase on the 43 per cent who felt this way in 2007.

Even more encouragingly, 27 per cent of the people polled claimed that they were environmentally-friendly in almost everything that they did up from 19 per cent two years ago.

But just what are people doing to make their lives more eco-friendly?

Britons are helping the planet

When asked if they felt guilty about doing things which could potentially harm the environment, over half (55 per cent) of respondents said that they did.

And 54 per cent said that they did not find it hard to change their habits to become more eco-friendly.

In reflection of this, 76 per cent of those polled claimed they had begun to cut down their use of energy in the home - which could have the added bonus of reducing gas and electricity bills - an increase from the 58 per cent who had taken this action in 2007.

To achieve this, 84 per cent of respondents only boil the kettle with as much water as they require, 77 per cent are washing their clothes at a temperature of 40 degrees or less and 66 per cent have turned down their thermostat.

Other steps being taken by energy-conscious Brits have included investing in double glazing - with 89 per cent of households polled now boasting it - topping up loft insulation - 82 per cent - installing cavity wall insulation - 57 per cent - and draught-proofing - 19 per cent.

Meanwhile, a third of households with central heating have a condensing boiler - which could lead to cheaper gas bills - although only one per cent of respondents had made an investment in renewable energy technology, such as solar panels.

A greener future

Gordon Miller, founder of whatgreenhome.com, recently claimed that financial incentives - such as the possibility of cheaper gas and electricity bills - was the driving force behind Britons' moves to go green.

"The overwhelming majority of people are motivated by money rather than environmental issues, especially in these tough economic times. But if people can see that they will save money on their energy bills, and in doing so reduce CO2 emissions and thus slow climate change, they will act," he said.