Residents of Bristol are turning up the heat on rising energy prices, but they're not sweating it—they're getting creative. A bi-annual survey conducted in August 2022 and again in March 2023 by Project Solar UK, a retailer and installer of solar panels uncovered several key findings that highlight the creative strategies employed by residents to mitigate the unprecedented costs.
The survey, which asked identical questions on both occasions, found that 35 per cent of respondents in and around Bristol claimed they would take fewer showers to save energy, up from 31 per cent last August. However, the percentage of residents willing to endure cold showers decreased from 25 per cent last summer to 15 per cent this year when temperatures were relatively lower.
The survey also found that 9 per cent of respondents expressed a willingness to pursue higher-paying job opportunities, mirroring the figures from the previous year. Additionally, 4 per cent stated they would request a pay raise from their current employer to cope with the increased heating, lighting, and other energy expenses—reflecting the same proportion as last summer. However, the number of respondents considering ending remote work dropped to 4 per cent this year from 6 per cent in 2022.
7 per cent of respondents stated they would consider renting out a room in their homes to split the bills, indicating a slight decline from the 8 per cent reported last summer. On the other hand, the proportion of people willing to charge their children rent increased to 7 per cent from 4 per cent last year.
The Project Solar UK survey aimed to gauge people's thoughts on lowering energy costs and saving money through practical means, particularly after the cold winter. Both sets of research revealed a growing interest in solar panels among respondents. In the latest survey conducted in March 2023, 17 per cent expressed a willingness to install solar panels in their homes, compared to 11 per cent surveyed last summer. Moreover, 9 per cent of respondents in March 2023 stated they would consider moving to a residence with pre-installed solar panels to reduce energy expenses, a decrease from the 14 per cent reported in the summer of 2022.
Simon Peat, CEO of Project Solar UK, emphasised the significance of addressing the cost-of-living crisis and the escalating energy prices. He said: “The cost-of-living crisis, and specifically the cost of energy, is a real concern and we wanted to look at ideas in these surveys of the practical ways people are considering making changes to save money. We are aware that there is a lack of information on the benefits of solar energy and are committed to helping educate people to understand the value solar panels offer. As the leading supplier and installer of solar panels in the UK, we offer a full information service to anyone who would like to understand more about how solar panels might be able to help using our free hotline on 0800 112 3110.”
Regarding awareness of changes to energy bills following the end of the Energy Bill Support Scheme, the survey revealed that 48 per cent of respondents claimed to know how their bills would be affected, while 28 per cent admitted their lack of knowledge, and 15 per cent remained uncertain. Peat pointed out the confusion surrounding the Energy Bill Support Scheme's conclusion at the end of March, emphasizing that households equipped with solar panels, batteries, and monitors could better track energy usage and harness the power of sunlight, thereby maximising the potential of this natural energy source.
