Nine out of 10 bill payers in Scotland made changes to reduce energy use between October 2022 and February 2023.
However, despite the attempts to cut back, more than two thirds (69%) of Scottish households said that their bills were higher than expected over that period.
KPMG surveyed 250 bill-paying adults living in Scotland during March about how energy prices impacted their behaviour this winter, finding that while almost all made some attempts to reduce the energy they used, 56% said they also made upgrades to their homes, while the same amount purchased energy efficient gadgets to keep energy costs down.
Most people opted for switching off lights (48%), which only had an estimated annual saving of £25. In contrast, two of the most cost-effective measures - which could each save around £100 a year - were not used as widely by Scottish households: limiting hot showers (18%) and reducing boiler flow temperatures (18%).
Energy efficient gadgets proved a popular way to save money. According to the research, one in five households in Scotland purchased an air fryer over the winter, while 21% bought a heated blanket.
Similarly, the second most popular way to reduce energy use was to use the oven less (43%).
In October, the UK Government capped energy prices at £2,500 for an average household and provided at least £400 in support payments. Alongside the financial support, the government also launched an awareness campaign to help households reduce their energy use through a variety of energy saving measures.
“Reducing demand and improving energy efficiency couldn’t be more important in getting bills down and ensuring people can heat their homes properly, especially as we have some of the leakiest houses in Europe,” commented Simon Virley, head of energy and natural resources at KPMG in the UK.
”Record energy prices have clearly provided the impetus for households to consider how they can save energy, but there still needs to be better information and support out there to help consumers understand the most effective ways to do this.”
Those investing in energy efficiency measures opted for upgrading to LED lighting (26%), while 17% added insulation and a similar number (22%) upgraded to double glazing. For those opting for gadgets, also on the shopping list were smart thermostats (17%), smart plugs (10%) and heated air dryers (11%).
Across the UK, those under 45 were more likely to have purchased items to help manage energy costs, with 73% of those in this age range buying an energy saving gadget, compared to just 44% of those aged 45 and above.
To help manage the extra energy costs, 39% of respondents reduced spending elsewhere, and around one in six (15%) used savings. Others cancelled direct debits to pay only what they were using (22%), while 31% built up credit over the summer to cover higher usage in the winter.
However, 17% said they were not able to make any savings elsewhere and are going to struggle to afford the extra costs, with some respondents saying they had to choose between using their gas or electricity or limited themselves to just one room in their house.
Despite the government having up to 10 different support schemes listed on the help for household website, almost a quarter (23%) of respondents felt that they hadn’t benefitted from any of the schemes over the winter, even though at least two of them were universal.
“As we now head into spring, it is just as important for the government to be thinking about what follows the current universal support package for energy bills,” continued Virley. “While wholesale prices are expected to continue to reduce over the coming months, energy costs next winter will still be far higher than they have been in recent years.“
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