Smart celebrations: How Brits mark festivities without blowing a fuse

• This planning includes cooking festive food, cleaning the house, and decorating, as over half get set to host family and friends at home
• But with all this planning, preparing, and partying comes increased pressure on household bills, with 43% saying the cost of celebrating is always on their mind
• However 51% of smart meter owners use their in-home display to monitor their energy use in near-real time, helping 36% to feel more in control of what they’re spending
• Households that have a smart meter believe they have saved an average of £140 per year by using it to help with energy management
• Smart Energy GB has teamed up with chef and author, Ravneet Gill, to explore the different ways Britain powers its festive celebrations

 With Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve around the corner, new research finds Brits will spend an average of 24 hours preparing for celebrations before the end of the year, with that time taken up by cooking festive food (66%), cleaning the house (61%) and decorating (56%).

And it seems this preparation often starts ahead of time, with a fifth (21%) admitting they begin planning for celebrations such as Diwali, Easter, Eid-al-Fitr and Christmas up to three months in advance. Although one in 10 risky revellers leave it to the week before to start their festive prep.

The extra effort is all worth it however, as new research from Smart Energy GB found almost three quarters (71%) of people say these celebrations are their favourite time of year,

Those who took part said that this was because the festivities offer the chance to spend more time with loved ones (51%), reconnect with family and friends (43%) and keep up traditions they had when they were younger (41%).

But all this planning, preparing, and partying can put pressure on household bills, with friends and family gathering under one roof often increasing the amount of energy being used.

More hours spent cooking (61%), heating the house (51%) and using appliances (46%) were some of the things found to contribute most to increased energy needs.

And it’s not just activity in the home that increases, as one in 10 (11%) electric vehicle (EV) owners charge their car more often at times of festive celebration so they can travel to see extended family and friends. In fact, almost half say these moments are often the only time of year they see certain family members, which adds an average of three more trips to the calendar.

Despite the season, it’s clear that energy use remains front of mind for many, with six in 10 (63%) people saying they are conscious of the impact their increased energy use has on household bills.

But it seems a smart meter could help in more ways than one, as households with one can access energy reward schemes, which encourage using energy differently in return for financial savings and other rewards. In fact, two thirds (68%) of smart meter owners who participate in an energy reward scheme say that festive celebrations mean they use energy more flexibly, which allows them to make savings.

Six in 10 (59%) people who access an energy reward scheme or flexible tariff, plan at least part of their celebration schedule to avoid times when demand for electricity is highest. This includes doing more washing (34%), using household appliances (31%), and batch cooking food (26%) at alternative times when demand is lower.

And the benefits don’t stop there, as a separate poll by Smart Energy GB revealed that households that have a smart meter believe they have saved an average of £140 per year by using it to help with energy management.

Over half (51%) of smart meter owners also use their smart meter display to monitor their energy use, and a third (36%) said it helped them to feel more in control of their energy use.¹ A further three-quarters (74%) of smart meter owners say they’re more aware of their energy use since getting a smart meter¹ and nearly nine in 10 people have taken steps to reduce their energy usage.

To uncover the different ways Britain powers its festive celebrations and how a smart meter can help, Smart Energy GB teamed up with chef and author, Ravneet Gill, who met with two British families as they prepared different festive feasts. Nim Dhillon who celebrates Diwali with her family every year, and Sue Griffin who celebrates Christmas, revealed how they use a smart meter to feel more in control of their usage during the festivities.

Sue Griffin added “it was interesting to hear that even though Nim and I celebrate differently, our concerns around energy use and household bills are the same. A small change in my habits and making the switch to a smart meter has helped alleviate some of my concerns, which means I can focus on what’s important - enjoying celebrating Christmas and spending quality time with my family.”

Ravneet Gill says “It’s incredible that whatever cultural or religious occasion is celebrated, some themes ring true across many of them - spending time with loved ones, enjoying delicious food and drink and marking it with those yearly family traditions. I know first-hand about the rising energy demands that come with these festivities, but understanding simple swaps to be more energy efficient and having a smart meter has taken some of the pressure off. The greater level of visibility the in-home display gives me, means I can fully embrace the celebrations which is what it’s all about.”

Victoria Bacon, Director at Smart Energy GB commented “The next few months can be a busy time for some people, preparing, celebrating, and looking ahead to the new year. But it can be a worrying time too, particularly for those concerned about their household bills. A smart meter provides you with a better understanding of your energy use and shares your readings automatically with your supplier so you get accurate, rather than estimated, bills. They also enable you to access more flexible schemes and tariffs that could save you money.”

Elsewhere, the research found that 65% of Brits are more mindful about their household energy usage during cultural and religious celebrations, including turning lights off in unused rooms (34%), keeping the heating on a lower temperature when it’s on (34%) and avoiding regularly using the tumble dryer (21%).

And with the average festive feast leaving enough food for up to three additional meals, over a third (36%) are choosing to store leftovers or freeze meals for a later date - reducing cooking time and energy requirements in the days following.

For further information search ‘Get a smart meter’ or visit https://www.smartenergygb.org/