Want to be more sustainable at home… just ask ‘E-lexa’

Life in lockdowns has meant that many of us have spent more time at home and for some of us, this means we’ve become more conscious of sustainability in our homes.

Research we conducted earlier this year found that almost half (48%)¹ of Brits admitted to becoming more sustainably conscious during the lockdowns. Habits such as turning off appliances that aren’t in use (24%) and only heating rooms that are in use (18%) have become something that we’ve started to do as part of our daily lives whilst being at home.

But as the world slowly starts to return to some sort of normality and restrictions continue to ease, some of the great sustainability habits we gained during the lockdowns might become less of a priority for us now.

In fact, our latest research² has found that although around a third of those questioned (37%) say they’ve incorporated sustainable habits into their routine since the lockdowns began, two thirds of people (66%) are concerned that sustainability habits may be something that move down their list of priorities.

The research revealed many different reasons for this, with around four in 10 people saying their focus may shift away from sustainability because they:

• have less time than before (44%)
• are not at home as much (42%)
• have other pressing priorities (39%)

The research also showed that six in 10 of us (59%) want to educate ourselves on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. So, we’ve made this easier by launching a new Amazon Alexa skill – ‘E.ON’s Sustainable Home’ – bringing sustainability advice directly into your home.

The skill is voiced by radio DJ, TV presenter and sustainability advocate Edith Bowman and once you ask Alexa to ‘open E.ON’s Sustainable Home’, you will be guided through advice all about being sustainable around the home. 

With ‘E.ON’s Sustainable Home’ skill, you’ll be able to find out more about what being sustainable at home actually means, especially when we think about our energy use, and why it’s so important to be sustainable at home.

The skill will give you easy to follow advice on how you can become more sustainable at home. From where to start by installing a smart meter to track your energy use, to making small changes to your routine and lifestyle, such as checking doors and windows for draughts, unplugging devices when not in use or changing light bulbs to energy efficient LED bulbs. 

We already provide 100% renewable electricity³ to our customers’ homes as standard. And now ‘E.ON’s Sustainable Home’ skill will also offer advice on sustainable solutions for your home, which can help you to become more sustainable in the longer term, such as installing solar panels so you can generate your own clean, renewable energy or upgrading your heating system to an energy efficient boiler or an air source heat pump. All of these solutions will help to reduce the impact our homes are having on the environment, whilst ensuring we stay warm and healthy at home.

So, if you’re looking for ways to continue those great sustainability habits that became part of our everyday lockdown lives, simply ask Alexa to ‘Open E.ON’s Sustainable Home’ to find out more. 

^{1.       Research carried out on behalf of E.ON by 72Point in March 2021}

^{2.       Research carried out on behalf of E.ON by 72Point in June 2021}

^{3.       Electricity backed by 100% renewable sources. All our customers' homes get 100% renewable electricity, at no extra cost. Electricity sourced from E.ON’s renewable generation assets, supply agreements with independent UK wind generators and the purchase of renewable electricity certificates. The electricity supplied to homes comes from the National Grid and DNOs.}