Baby-boomers most efficient at cutting energy costs during recession
- Older generation are 25% more likely than under 25s to take
energy and money saving steps
Released
on: December 17, 2008, 7:07 am
Press
Release Author: Opus
Energy
Industry:
Energy
Press
Release Summary: Over 55s are 25% more likely to shrink their
monthly bills by being energy efficient than the younger generation,
according to a new survey from Opus Energy, an independent electricity
supplier for UK businesses.
Press
Release Body: Over 55s are 25% more likely to shrink their monthly
bills by being energy efficient than the younger generation, according
to a new survey from Opus
Energy, an independent electricity supplier for UK
businesses.
The
survey asked over 500 people about the energy saving steps they
take both at home and at work. The findings showed that when it
comes to tightening belts this Christmas the “baby boomer”
generation are steps ahead of younger generations. Having lived
through two recessions and grown up in post-war Britain, the over
55s are well versed in making those small steps that add up to
real financial savings.
The
results showed that the over 55s are well versed at making efficient
use of modern technology. In the workplace, the baby boomers are
three times more likely than dilligently switch off phone chargers
when not in use, with 43% switching of compared to just one in
ten (13%) of under 25s making the effort.
The
baby-boomers also have the most ‘efficient’ tea breaks
at work with more than half the over 55s (55%) taking care not
to boil more water than they need each time compared to under
a third (27%) of under 25s.
Even
though two thirds (66%) of young Brits claim they are switching
to energy saving bulbs to help curb costs at home, a staggering
nine out of ten (88%) over 55s said they had already made the
energy efficient swap.
Under
25s were also more likely to think that making a business or a
home energy efficient would increase its running costs. But as
the baby boomers are clearly demonstrating, when energy costs
are high and belts are tightening, small energy saving steps can
be enough to equate to big savings.
Louise
Boland, Director at Opus Energy said:
“It’s
clear that having lived through two recessions, our older generations
are more adept at taking steps to save on their energy usage to
cut their bills. What is interesting is that the older generations
have really embraced the energy saving benefits of modern technology,
to an even greater degree than their younger counterparts.
“Technology
such as energy saving bulbs can be more expensive in the short
term, but over their life time will save you up to £35 in
electricity costs. It’s a myth that being more environmentally
friendly has to be more expensive. At Opus Energy, we source over
half our energy from renewable generators and cleaner, low-carbon
sources as standard. This way all the businesses we supply enjoy
cleaner energy with minimum fuss and no extra cost.”
-
ends -
About Opus Energy
Opus
Energy is a leading independent supplier of electricity offering
tailor-made solutions for the UK SME and corporate markets. Its
market-leading innovations are driven by customer needs and the
company is committed to helping businesses reduce their carbon
footprint through procurement of energy from cleaner sources.
Opus
Energy has over 40,000 customers across all sectors. Large customers
include: Yell Group, Thorntons, Farmfoods, Cumbria County Council
and Deloitte & Touche.
Over
the last two years (between April 2006 and March 2008), 62% of
the energy supplied by Opus Energy to its customers came from
cleaner, low-carbon sources – 54% from renewable generators
and 8% from cleaner Combined Heat and Power (CHP) produced by
CHP generators. These CHP generators have been awarded accreditation
by the regulator, Ofgem, for producing cleaner, more environmentally
friendly power.
Opus
Energy’s management team has a 50 percent stake in the business,
while International Power Plc (LSE:IPR.L) holds 30 percent and
Telecom Plus Plc (LSE: TEP.L ) has 20 percent. With offices in
Northampton and Oxford, it employs 200 people.
For
further information, please see www.opusenergy.com
Web
Site: http://www.opusenergy.com
Contact
Details: Opus Energy
285 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 7JF
Tel:
0845 2937230
2012
