UK using less energy despite growing economy, report finds
BBC News, December 17, 2014Increased wealth typically leads to increased energy use – but this link appears to have been broken by technology and government policy.
New analysis of government statistics for BBC News shows that the average person in the UK is using 10% less electricity than five years ago.
That is despite the boom in large TVs, computers, smartphones and tablets.
EU standards on household appliances have allowed people to do the same tasks with less energy.
A new A-rated model fridge-freezer saves 73% of energy, compared with its 20-year-old counterpart, according to the trade association AMDEA. That is about £100 a year off a household energy bill.