"If there are any upsides to the past year’s lockdowns, our findings show that many people now have a better understanding of how we can all be more energy efficient and what we can do to reduce our impact on the planet – especially as our homes are now one of the biggest contributors to climate change."

Michael Lewis, Chief Executive of E.ON UK

• New research from E.ON reveals that 48% of Brits say lockdowns have helped them understand how to run their homes more efficiently
• Almost one in five (16%) Brits say they are more conscious about sustainability in the home as they believe it could increase the value of their property
• Over a third (38%) admit they’ll take sustainable learnings from the past year into life after lockdowns

According to new findings from E.ON¹, almost half (48%) of Brits say that spending so much time at home has helped them understand how to run their homes more efficiently. And almost a third (31%) of those asked have either installed or considered installing a smart meter in a bid to take further action in making their home more sustainable.

E.ON has conducted the new survey as we reach the one-year milestone since the first national lockdown in March 2020. Almost half (48%) of Brits say life in lockdowns over the last year has made them more conscious about how sustainable their home is, with over a third (38%) admitting they will take the learnings from this past year into life after lockdowns.

When asked about why Brits want to be more sustainable almost half (48%) say they now care more about the environment, while four in ten (44%) admit it’s because they have more time to think about being sustainable.

Michael Lewis, E.ON UK CEO, said: “If there are any upsides to the past year’s lockdowns, our findings show that many people now have a better understanding of how we can all be more energy efficient and what we can do to reduce our impact on the planet – especially as our homes are now one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

“For many, the first step could be switching to  100% renewable electricity², which E.ON customers get as standard, and from there exploring a range of smarter, more sustainable home solutions including solar and battery technology and smart meters, all of which can help reduce energy use while many people continue to spend more time at home.”

The findings also show that almost one third (31%) say living a sustainable life has become like second nature to them. The following top 10 habits are now incorporated into people’s lives - despite not living like this pre-lockdown:

• Shopping locally (36%)
• Cooking more at home (33%)
• Minimising food waste (31%)
• Recycling more (31%)
• Waiting for a full load of washing before using the washing machine (29%)
• Turning off switches when not plugged in (26%)
• Turning off appliances that aren’t in use (24%)
• Buying locally sourced produce (24%)
• Only heating rooms that are in use (18%)
• Growing fruit and vegetables at home (14%)

Interestingly, almost one in five (16%) say they are more conscious about sustainability in the home as they believe it could increase the value of their property, and almost a quarter (23%) say they feel pressure to be sustainable, while another 17% say it’s because their friends and family care about the issue.

E.ON’s findings also bring to light that the living room (44%) and kitchen (47%) are the rooms which have seen the most sustainable improvements, with Brits draught proofing (12%), using energy efficient light bulbs (29%) and switching the TV off at the mains (72%).

Making sustainable lifestyle changes aren’t the only home improvements which Brits have been making, as almost a quarter (23%) say they have taken it upon themselves to redecorate a room, 43% have had a clear out and 6% have even attempted to retile their bathroom.

E.ON offers smart meters, efficient boilers and solar and battery technology which can all help people better manage their home energy use, and even generate their own. To find out more about 100% renewable electricity from E.ON and its other sustainable energy solutions, visit eonenergy.com

Notes to Editors:

• Survey of 2,000 respondents carried out on behalf of E.ON by FlyResearch in March 2021.
• Electricity backed by 100% renewable sources. E.ON's renewable generation assets, agreements with UK wind generators and the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. The electricity supplied to your home comes from the National Grid and DNOs. eonenergy.com/renewable

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