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Soaring fuel bills prompt Brits to go green

27/06/2008

The UK may see a 'greenvolution' as soaring fuel bills prompt millions to take energy-saving steps.

According to Tescocompare.com, the UK may see almost a 50 per cent rise in environmental with more than half (54 per cent) admitting that the soaring cost of energy bills will push them to 'go green' in an attempt to save money.

Four out of five Brits (80 per cent) say they already pride themselves in being 'above average' when it comes to being environmentally friendly, by scoring themselves five or more out of ten when asked how green they are.

Recycling is clearly popular, with 39 million Brits - 83 per cent - claiming to recycle their household waste.

Two thirds (66 per cent) make sure they switch their appliances off at the mains rather than leave them on standby to save electricity and 76 per cent have installed energy-saving light bulbs around the home, which help to cut down on energy bills.

Paul Baxter, at Tescocompare.com said, "Going green takes a little bit of effort but can reap huge rewards in the long and short-term. The cost of living and household bills are creeping up and up, but there are lots of things that cost next to nothing, which we can all do on a day-to-day basis to reduce our carbon footprint and energy bills.

"Simply turning gadgets off at the mains when you're not using them is a sure-fire way to save the planet and the pound in your pocket."

Going green can help the environment and save money, Tescocompare said. Nearly half of all Brits (47 per cent) are wasting the chance to save money and the environment by failing to wash their clothes at the lower temperature of 30 degrees.

Other everyday opportunities to save on fuel which cost nothing to do are being missed by many Brits - nearly a third (32 per cent) are still heating more water for a bath rather than taking a shower, and over a quarter (28 per cent) still waste energy by overfilling the kettle.