Solar photovoltaics distributor Rexel has released the results of its Global Energy Efficiency survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, discovering that lack of education on energy efficiency is holding the UK back when it comes to energy savings.
The survey found that over a quarter of UK consumers would be motivated to save energy if they had access to financial subsidies in the form of interest free eco-loans to support their switch to more energy efficient products. Approximately 90 percent of respondents had never heard of or did not understand schemes such as Carbon Trust Loans, which currently offers businesses an interest free loan of between £3,000 and £400,000 to reduce CO2 emissions through the introduction of clean technology.
Around 70 percent of those questioned were willing to or had already installed environmentally-friendly heating systems and 60 percent were willing to install solar panels however; only 13 percent had heard of and understood feed-in tariffs.
Henri-Paul Laschkar, Senior Vice President at Rexel UK & Ireland said, “Ultimately 78 percent of Brits cited reduced expenses as their main motivation for going green, well ahead of environmental protection and future generations. A strong indication that the future of energy efficiency in the UK depends on our ability to better communicate financial incentives, ROI and long-term cost savings.”
Unsurprisingly, the survey revealed that measurable cost savings are what matters most to the UK population, yet two thirds of those surveyed had not heard of or do not understand the roll-out of new Smart Meters, which will allow users to intelligently measure consumption and develop a truly measurable cost saving approach.
When it comes to simple and cost effective solutions, the budget-savvy British public is fully on board, with 81 percent already purchasing energy saving bulbs, however despite this, just three percent are willing to install sensors that shut off lights when there is no movement in the room.
Rexel is sponsoring the upcoming Solar Power UK gala dinner as well as exhibiting at booth B3-2.
