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Hotpoint’s quarterly household survey reveals that 6 out of 10 adults will reduce the amount of water they use for personal hygiene when water meters are introduced. The findings are highest among 15-24 year olds (69%) and lowest among adults aged 55+ (49%).  However there is very little difference between the genders with 60% of males saying they will reduce water use and 59% of females.

This trend is set to continue beyond personal hygiene. More than half (57%) of adults in Ireland will reduce the amount of times they launder clothes once water charges take effect.

“The trend when doing laundry in Ireland tends to be ‘wash as you go’. We wash fewer clothes more often and use smaller loads instead of waiting for a full load of washing to build up,” according to Hotpoint’s spokesperson, Bill Murphy.   “Smaller household sizes and increased female participation in the labour force has typically resulted in household chores being spread out over the week instead of being confined to one particular day.”

Despite 9 out of 10 respondents stating that they think about their energy usage at home almost all of the time, the survey revealed that just over half (51%) of the population has little or no understanding of energy ratings in relation to washing machines, dishwashers and other white goods in the home. Household energy demand accounts for approximately one quarter of the total energy requirement in the EU according to a report commissioned by the European Commission.

“We are still a long way from encouraging people to choose appliances on the basis of their ratings and of their water efficiency. Customers are naturally attracted to low prices even though buying the cheapest washing machine, dishwasher or white good on sale will likely result in higher energy bills for the customer,” according to Bill Murphy.

The survey also shows that a quarter (24%) of the population regard the electric heater as the most energy consuming appliance in the home. One in every ten (10%) believe the kettle to be the most energy consuming appliance in the home, believing that it uses more energy than the washing machine (8%).

Almost seven out of ten adults (68%) will replace their household appliances with more energy efficient models in the future. When water metering takes effect, almost the same number (65%) say that they will replace their white goods with more water efficient models.

“We’re noticing a trend where customers are starting to ask questions about features other than price when buying white goods, although price still remains the single biggest influence when choosing one appliance over another,” according to Hotpoint’s spokesperson Bill Murphy. “Energy ratings and water efficiency are two dominant trends.”