Four in 10 Brits switched up their routines over the last year

FOUR in 10 Brits switched up their routines over the last year – with midweek roasts and cups of tea before bed helping households to break the mould.

A poll of 2,000 adults found those making changes have done so in a bid to save money (64 per cent), energy (56 per cent) and be more efficient (45 per cent).

One in three (32 per cent) have ditched their loyalty to a certain supermarket, and 30 per cent started cooking in batches for the week ahead.

A fifth (19 per cent) decided to watch less TV in the evenings, 22 per cent are going to bed earlier, with 11 per cent setting their morning alarms to an hour earlier to make the most of the day.

Whereas 10 per cent have revamped their routine by exploring different routes to work or changing the time they go to the gym.

Many Brits are also making significant changes to how they use energy in the home, as 24 per cent now limit the number of appliances in use at one time.

While 23 per cent consider what time they should do ‘high energy-consuming’ tasks.

The study was commissioned by Smart Energy GB to highlight how people who embrace more flexible home habits could save money on their bills through energy reward schemes, which can be accessed with a smart meter and reward customers for using energy at different times of the day.

Consumer finance expert Steph McGovern said: “I always want to make sure that I’m helping people make their money work harder for them, and I’m conscious of doing the same in my own life.

“It can be easy to put off admin jobs like getting a smart meter, but it’s clear that they open up lots of opportunities for people to save, like by giving them access to reward schemes.”

It also emerged from the research that two in three want to switch things up from time to time to keep life a little more exciting.

With another 69 per cent adding it’s important to change their daily activities around occasionally.

Many of these do so to help stay motivated (44 per cent) and to avoid boredom (35 per cent), but others are keen to keep things fresh with one eye on their energy efficiency (43 per cent).

As a result, 64 per cent have adapted their routines to reduce costs when carrying out tasks that consume more energy, like putting the washing machine or dishwasher on.

Of those surveyed via OnePoll, 27 per cent are aware of schemes offered by their energy provider which reward them for being more flexible with their energy usage – with 79 per cent of those who are aware saying they have taken part in one.

Nearly nine in 10 (87 per cent) people who have a smart meter and have taken part in an energy reward scheme say they’ve saved money by adjusting how and when they do many household jobs.

Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, added: “It’s great to see millions of smart meter owners are benefiting and saving money on their bills.”

“Being able to access schemes that reward you for being more flexible with your energy usage can be especially helpful at this time of year when we’re spending a lot more on heating, hot water and lighting.