Record high energy bills are taking a negative toll on the wellbeing of West Midlands billpayers, with six in 10 (61%) admitting to being worried about fuel poverty, and those the most concerned falling within the 25-34 age category.
According to new research commissioned by heating expert Alpha, nearly a quarter (24%) of the region’s billpayers have experienced stress or anxiety as a direct result of rising energy bills, 26% have spent less on leisure activities and more than one in 10 (11%) have had the dilemma of choosing between heating and eating.
The recent study polled some 2,000 adults across the UK who pay household bills to understand to what extent the energy and cost of living crises continue to impact the British population, as well as how many have attempted to regain control of their financial situation by exploring alternative energy solutions.
In the West Midlands, 49% worry about fuel security (i.e. having a consistent energy supply without any power cuts or shortages). This is hardly surprising when 45% of households have experienced two power cuts in the last 12 months, including nearly a third (29%) of which were for a period longer than four hours (the point at which a fridge can stay cold without power). As a result, 31% agree that it is important to become energy self-sufficient but only 9% have achieved this.
Yet despite the worries around energy supply, just 15% have explored alternative means of heating or powering their home and only 9% have installed a new energy source in the past three years; figures which both align with the national average.
The research delved further by exploring the barriers to upgrading to low or zero carbon energy on the home front. Cost of installation remains the biggest barrier, with over three quarters (77%) of West Midlands households citing this. A lack of knowledge and understanding of the technology (41%) and the suitability or practicality for their property (37%) complete the top three reasons.
Andrea Carmeli, managing director for Alpha, said: “Respondents from the West Midlands region remain on a par with the national consensus apart from those who have installed a new energy source in the last three years, where the percentage of homes with a power bank is the highest across the UK. While this is a step in the right direction, the majority (91%) are still reliant on energy providers where the cost for homeowners remains high.”
Carried out through OnePoll, the study also discovered that having a greener home is firmly on the region’s radar, with almost three quarters (72%) stating they care about the carbon footprint of their home.
However, when it comes to installing a home heating appliance, decision-making among West Midlands households is dominated by cost. While some 34% cite energy efficiency as a key factor in their purchasing decision, this is preceded by the cost of purchase (64%), cost of installation (57%) and ongoing running cost (49%).
Andrea continues: “The ideal outcome would be for everyone to be self-sufficient – but we know this is a long way off. What we need is for more people to take that first, crucial step into renewables by adopting the more cost-effective solutions available for their type of property.”
Alpha’s E-Tec Hybrid Heat Pump is one such solution. Costing far less than a full heat pump, it retains the reliability offered by the tried-and-tested gas boiler, much in the same way a hybrid car combines an electric motor with petrol power. Homeowners can explore options with the help and expertise of a heating engineer.
Andrea adds: “It would be far better for our planet for the masses to go hybrid, than for only a very small minority to go 100% renewable. By doing so, we can together work towards net zero whilst also helping to tackle and alleviate the nation’s issues and worries surrounding fuel poverty and energy security.”
