New research from KPMG has revealed that nine out of 10 (96%) bill payers in the North West made changes to reduce their energy usage between October 2022 and February 2023.
Despite attempts to cut back, KPMG’s Consumer Pulse survey found that two thirds (66%) said their bills were higher than expected over the winter period, with one in six (16%) admitting they struggled to cover their bills by making savings elsewhere.
The study surveyed 2,800 bill paying adults UK wide, and found that the proportion of those in the North West reducing energy use over the winter months was greater than that seen on a national level (92%).
But despite so many looking to reduce energy use, a third of respondents (36%) said their bills were significantly higher than expected.
To combat rising costs, more than half (58%) made upgrades to their homes, and roughly the same amount (62%) purchased energy-efficient gadgets.
The most popular gadgets added to shopping lists were air fryers (29%) and heated blankets (21%). Meanwhile 26% invested in draft excluders, higher than the national average, and upgrading to LED lighting, adding insulation or opting for double glazing were also above national norms, with 32%, 22%, and 21% of individuals investing in them respectively.
While switching off lights (54%) was the region’s most popular cost-saving measure despite only saving £25 per year, reducing boiler flow temperatures (30%), draft proofing (26%), and limiting hot showers (23%), saving up to £100 annually, were also opted for. The percentage of individuals choosing these better saving measures in the North West was higher than the UK-wide average.
Warren Middleton, senior partner for the North West at KPMG UK, said: “Record energy prices continue to have a strong hold on households across the country, and this is no different for the North West, with the vast majority of households implementing changes to their day-to-day lives in an effort to limit soaring energy costs.”
“Improving energy efficiency couldn’t be more important in getting bills down, and with over half of residents in the North West investing in gadgets and home repairs, households are doing all they can to combat the ongoing cost of living crisis.”
