With energy prices set to rise in January, households consider reward schemes

• Seven in ten billpayers surveyed say their energy bill concerns them more than any other bill
• Nine in ten say managing their energy spend is a priority this winter
• Nine in ten are on the lookout for new ways to save money
• Eight in ten say it would be helpful if they knew which appliances use the most energy
• Eight in ten are willing to change the time they use appliances if it saves them money

As the latest energy price cap amount is implemented today, which will see the typical household bill rise from £1,834 to £1,928 a year, new research has found that seven in 10 (69 per cent) billpayers are more concerned about their energy bill than any other bill.

The survey, carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Smart Energy GB, found that the vast majority of billpayers (nine in 10) are on the lookout for new ways to save money.

There are rewards available this winter for people who use energy more flexibly, such as National Grid ESO’s Demand Flexibility Service, which incentivises customers with a smart meter to move a portion of their electricity use to earlier or later in the day.

This could help the eight in 10 (83 per cent) billpayers who say that they are willing to change the times they use appliances if it saves them money. Customers can sign up for this scheme either through their supplier or other energy aggregators and service providers.

For the more than seven in 10 (74 per cent) who have no set time or day of the week that they hoover and the 83 per cent who are happy to do their washing at alternative times, taking part in these schemes could help households save some money on their energy bill.

Billpayers are also looking for ways to gain more visibility of their energy spend this winter. Eight in 10 (79 per cent) say that if they knew which household appliances use the most energy, it would help them to manage their energy bills more effectively.

Victoria Bacon, Director at Smart Energy GB, said: “It’s incredibly tough for many people right now. Energy prices have risen again and it can feel like there is very little that any of us are able to do about it.

“If you’d like to make more informed decisions about your energy use and be able to take part in schemes or tariffs that reward you for using energy more flexibly, it’s worth asking your energy supplier for a smart meter. They’re available at no extra cost and come with an in-home display which shows you how much you’re spending in pounds and pence, minute-by-minute.

“Once you have a smart meter appointment booked with your supplier, the installation process is straightforward, usually taking an average of about two hours.”