• Young people miss out on bigger energy saving measures due to lower confidence turning down their thermostat, bleeding radiators or lowering valves on them
• One in three across all age ranges do not feel confident turning down boiler flow temperature despite it providing one of highest energy savings
• 160,000 using Nesta’s Money Saving Boiler Challenge tool shows effectiveness of trusted advice

Adults under 35 could be missing out on savings on their energy bill because they are less likely to feel confident with DIY energy-saving measures than those aged 35 and over, new figures reveal.

With the Government preparing to launch its £18 million public information campaign and new Energy Efficiency Taskforce, charged with reducing energy demand from buildings and industry by 15%, a new poll from the charity Nesta highlights the importance of equipping younger people with information and easy-to-use tools to take basic energy-efficiency measures.

Almost one in five adults under 35 said they would not feel confident turning down their thermostat (19%), while more than one in three wouldn’t be confident bleeding radiators (36%).

Adults under 35 were almost four times more likely than those aged 55 and over to not feel confident turning down the thermostat (19% compared to 5%), and twice as likely to not feel confident lowering settings on thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) (30% compared to 12%). Turning down the thermostat by one degree and adjusting TRVs by 1.5 degrees outside the living room are among the DIY energy-saving measures that Nesta’s research finds can save the most money (£157 and £68 per year on average respectively).

The poll also finds that a similar proportion of people across all ages would lack confidence turning down boiler flow temperature (31%), despite it being one of the measures that would save the most money (£112 per year on average). Advice to lower boiler flow temperature, based on Nesta’s easy-to-use tool, is included in the Government’s energy-saving public information campaign which was announced on Monday. While one in two (50%) people said they had lowered their thermostat in the last year, just over one in five (22%) had lowered boiler flow in the same period. In fact, when comparing energy-saving measures to other DIY tasks, fewer people were confident turning down boiler flow temperature (60%) than sealing a bath or shower (63%).

To help boost people’s confidence taking measures that will save money on their energy bills, Nesta recently launched the Money Saving Boiler Challenge. The online tool walks users through turning down their combi boiler flow temperature with simple step-by-step guidance. It is run in partnership with Which?, Energy UK, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus Energy and Heating Hub, and features on the Government’s Help for Households official advice, the Money Saving Expert website and has been praised by consumer champion Martin Lewis on his ITV show and on Twitter. More than 160,000 people have already used the tool, which can save around £112 on average per year on bills.

Nesta has highlighted that the Government’s new public information campaign is an opportunity to help boost people’s confidence using its tool and other effective energy-saving measures.

Katy King, Deputy Director of Sustainable Future at Nesta, said:

“With many facing a difficult winter and high bills, trusted advice on how to reduce heating costs can make a big difference.

“Some people are more confident than others when it comes to adjusting their home heating, such as by adjusting radiator valves and lowering the thermostat. Younger people in particular are less sure about making simple changes around their home that can reduce energy use and cut bills.

“We developed the Money Saving Boiler Challenge tool to help people of any age make one of the most effective energy-saving changes. An average household can save around £112 a year by lowering their boiler flow temperature. With over 140,000 people using the tool, and recommendations from the Government and Martin Lewis, it is clear the right energy-saving advice can help people to make positive changes to save money this winter. The Government’s new public information campaign now has an opportunity to encourage younger people by showing that it isn’t difficult to take the energy-saving actions that will save them the most money.”

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

“Energy bills are currently higher than ever, so it's understandable that people are looking for simple steps they can take to save money.

"It is concerning that Nesta's research found that many people might be missing out on saving more than £100 on their annual heating bills due to a lack of confidence or knowledge of how to turn down their boiler's flow temperature rate.

"Consumers must be given enough support and information by the Government and energy providers to help them through the difficult months ahead."

Ends

Notes to editors

1. Nesta commissioned Opinium Research to conduct a survey of 2,000 people in the UK from 15-17 November 2022, with results weighted to be nationally representative.
2. Nesta commissioned Cambridge Architectural Research (CAR) to model the savings that can be made through lesser known, free or low cost measures. This work was supported by an academic literature review by the Energy House Labs Team at the University of Salford. Nesta has summarised these findings and published the full table of CAR’s findings on its website.
3. For more information on the analysis or to speak to one of the experts involved, please contact Kieran Lowe, Media Manager, on 020 7438 2576 or [email protected]. Spokespeople are available for broadcast interviews.

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.

Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk