3 million[¹] Brits face 'energy poverty' as over a third dip into savings to cover bills this winter: Aira Reports
- 65% of UK homeowners are significantly impacted by rising energy costs with 34% dipping into their savings to pay for energy bills
- A generation of 'eco-curious' consumers are demonstrating a new interest in living more sustainably, yet perceptions of high upfront costs are preventing 57% of people from considering a heat pump
- Heat pumps have already cut CO2 emissions by 8 million tonnes[2] with the potential to save households up to 25% on heating costs
LONDON, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report by clean energy-tech company, Aira reveals that 65% of UK homeowners[3] are significantly impacted by rising energy costs, proving the critical need to shift towards more sustainable and cost saving heating solutions.
The risk of 'energy poverty' - when a household has to reduce its energy consumption to a degree that it has a negative impact on an individual's health and wellbeing - has been quietly growing throughout the cost-of-living crisis, with over a third (34%) of UK homeowners having to dip into savings to pay their energy bills.
The physical and emotional impact is being felt across the nation, with 75% of people in Yorkshire and The Humber having restricted their use of heating to reduce energy costs and 13% of Londoners experiencing a lack of sleep.
Aira's latest report, The Era of the Eco-curious: can I live more sustainably and spend less? reveals that people are already taking small steps to live more sustainably, with 37% of Brits switching to eco-mode on their washing machine, 29% buying second-hand clothes and 25% using appliances out of peak periods. Whilst 57% of people still associate heat pumps with high upfront costs, these small steps highlight the desire to live more sustainably and create new hope for heat pump adoption.
Industry experts argue that despite the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis, the combination of increasing energy costs and lower incomes is encouraging a broader reevaluation of energy usage, driving a new era of eco-curious consumers.
The data, however, shows that there's room to increase consideration and uptake as 54% of people say they would switch to a heat pump if they perceived them as more affordable, signaling an opportunity for both governments and businesses to help accelerate adoption with education and increase accessibility with financial incentives.
Carolyn Snell, Professor of Social Policy at the University of York, says: "There can be a perception that heat pumps are more expensive to run, they're difficult, and they're not going to make things as warm as you want them. There's a real lack of good information around it, and a lack of trusted information as well. Historically, energy is an area where there's a lot of mistrust – it goes back to the 1990s."
By making the simple shift to cleaner, greener heat pumps, people can save £560 on their annual energy bills[4] and disruptor brands, like Aira, are already working to remove barriers to adoption, with monthly payment plans and extended warranty for peace of mind.
Pamela Brown, Aira's Consumer Expert, says: "Our report shows that energy costs are now a critical challenge for households and are creating anxiety as winter approaches. However, a generation of eco-curious individuals are slowly realising that their carbon footprint—and their energy bills—can be drastically reduced by adopting clean energy-tech. At Aira we increase accessibility to these solutions with monthly payment plans and offer complete peace of mind with a 15-year guarantee, enabling people to live sustainably without spending more."
Notes to editors:
Survey methodology:
A total of 5,500 homeowners in Germany, Italy and the UK were surveyed for this study. The survey was conducted by the international market research agency OnePoll on behalf of Aira and took place between 7 and 9 October 2024. The survey was conducted in online format as a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) and was aimed at homeowners who use an independent heating system. The sample comprised 2,000 participants from Germany, 2,000 from the UK and 1,500 from Italy, ensuring a representative database for these countries.
About Aira
Aira provides clean energy-tech solutions to consumers and is becoming Europe's number one direct-to-consumer brand within the industry. Aira accelerates the electrification of residential heating with intelligent clean energy-tech to enable the net zero future we all need. With Aira, consumers across Europe have a go-to-provider for complete home energy saving solutions, with intelligent heat pumps at the heart. Aira's vertically integrated model, combined with a consumer-centric monthly payment plan that requires zero upfront cost, enables best-in-class consumer economics and cost leadership. Aira's mission is to take Europe off gas by empowering people to join the clean energy revolution, one home at a time. Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, by Vargas Holding and backed by climate and innovation investors including Altor, the Burda family, Collaborative Fund, Creades, Kinnevik, Lingotto, Nesta Impact Investments, Statkraft Ventures, and Temasek. https://www.company.airahome.com
[2] European Heat Pump Association data published in Euronews, 2023
[3] Aira survey conducted of homeowners with an independent heating system – 2000 German respondents, 2000 UK respondents, 1500 Italian respondents
[4] £560 potential cost saving based on switching from fossil fuel boiler to Aira Heat Pump and Aira Zero integrated time of use tariff
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