New survey reveals Welsh coffee drinking habits

A new survey released on International Coffee Day (1 October) has revealed the top reasons why Welsh people drink coffee, with 21 per cent of coffee drinkers saying they use it as a caffeine 'fix' to fuel their busy lives and a quarter (25 per cent) saying they drink it to relax.

According to calculations by Smart Energy GB as part of its Campaign for a Smarter Britain, if everyone in Wales had a smart meter installed by their energy supplier at no extra cost, we could save enough energy to fuel the nation's coffee drinking habits.

The typical annual energy savings from having a smart meter installed could save a single household enough energy to make 20,000 cups of instant coffee a year.

The poll also showed that coffee culture in Wales shows no signs of slowing down, with 70 per cent of Welsh adults drinking at least 1 cup of coffee a day.

The top reasons why people in Wales drink coffee listed were:

1. I like the taste – 63 per cent
2. To ‘start’ the day – 33 per cent
3. To relax – 25 per cent
4. To socialise – 21 per cent
5. Out of habit – 21 per cent
6. For energy – 21 per cent

Fflur Lawton, Head of Policy and Communications Wales, Smart Energy GB, said:

“It’s no secret that Welsh people like their coffee, whether it’s an artisan roast, home brewed or good old instant, we’re definitely a nation of caffeine lovers.  

“But what people might not realise is how much energy it takes to make their daily fix - and that’s where smart meters come in.

“By getting a smart meter from your energy supplier at no extra cost, you’ll be able to see in pounds and pence how much gas and electricity you’re using not just to make your coffee, but also on every appliance within your home, helping you to identify where you’re wasting energy. 

“This means that you can save your energy and money for the things that you enjoy - like even more coffee.”

-ENDS-

N.B. Calculations undertaken by Smart Energy GB and available upon request

About the survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1,003 adults, of which 884 were coffee drinkers. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 17th September 2018.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Welsh adults (aged 18+).

International Coffee Day

The International Coffee Organisation and its coffee associations chose 1 October as International Coffee Day so people around the world could celebrate together.

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the voice of the smart meter rollout. It’s our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign is reaching households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information visit our website smartenergyGB.org

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use in pounds and pence, and greater control over the way we buy and use energy. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain’s energy infrastructure.

There are already more than 12 million smart meters installed in homes and microbusinesses across Great Britain. Every household in England, Scotland and Wales will be offered one at no additional cost. Contact your energy supplier about getting your smart meter.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Helen Croney: [email protected] 0131 322 6204 / 07921 458 041