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Scots’ energy wasting habits revealed

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Over half of people in Scotland do not believe they do enough to save energy at home and are being hit in the pocket as a result, according to new research.

Data gathered by independent energy supplier OVO energy has revealed the top bad habits when it comes to wasting energy - and money - in Scottish homes.

The findings show Scots are unaware of how much their energy usage is costing them and the environment, even though 84 per cent say they make a conscious effort to save energy in the house.

Most Scots believe it is important to be green at home, with six out of ten worrying about the impact their home energy consumption has on the environment.

However, 50 per cent of Scottish residents do not know which appliances cost the most to run.

The widespread use of devices such as phones, tablets and laptops is biggest cause of energy waste in the home:

  • Over 39 per cent of Scots admitted to leaving their phone or laptop charging while they are asleep.

  • A further 31 per cent said they leave their device plugged in even after it is fully charged.

    • Another energy-wasting offender is putting the television on standby, rather than switching it off fully. Over a third of Scots leave their TV on standby overnight or when they leave the house.

    Scots also waste energy and money in the bathroom, with 39 per cent leaving the tap running while they are brushing their teeth.

    The research also revealed that having that relaxing bath rather than a shower at the end of the day could be more costly than people realise:

    • Scottish residents take, on average, two baths a week (although 19 per cent claims to never have a bath at all).

    • Cost of a single bath is between 31p and 89p to fill each time.

    • The average time that people sit in a bath is 19 minutes, but 27 per cent of Scots stay in for just 10 minutes or less.

      • Women are more likely to have a bath instead of a shower, with one in four women opting for a soak in the tub compared to one in five men.

      The research revealed other common ways of wasting energy at home:

      • Leaving radiators on in empty rooms. 23 per cent of Scots admit that they don’t turn off their radiator, even if a room is empty.

      • 19 per cent boil a full kettle for their tea or coffee, even if they’re just making one cup.

      • Almost 16 per cent leave the light on, even if a room is empty.

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