In a landmark study, the nation’s leading money-saving and sustainability platform, SaveMoneyCutCarbon, found that 66% of the population agreed that they would implement more green behaviours if they knew it would save them money with a further 42% agreeing that recycling is the only eco-conscious behaviour they currently practice. In the hopes to educate and inform the masses, the sustainability superstore launches its industry-first money-saving and environmental app, SaveMoneyCutCarbon Home.
The app launches amidst the introduction of the new energy price cap which has come into effect this month, meaning that the annual bill for a typical household across the UK will be frozen at £2,500 for the next two years. However, contrary to common belief, this does not mean households will have to pay more than that in energy bills. In reality, the energy price cap is not a ‘help yourself’ service but is contingent on how much energy is used per unit. Essentially, ‘use more, pay more’.
The Android and iOS solution provides a personalised view of exactly which products in your home are using the most energy, water and single-use plastic, and subsequently suggests swaps for eco-friendly alternatives. Based on the finding that 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions originate from households, the app is the first to identify the worst domestic energy and waste culprits through its “Swap Shop” tool. The service offers an infinite number of sustainable replacements that can reduce your energy bills and other monthly expenses by hundreds per year.
According to SaveMoneyCutCarbon’s sustainable living expert, Kirsty Brandon, the five problem areas that are the worst contributors to a high carbon footprint include food waste, toiletries, cling film, plastic toothbrushes, and inefficient lighting. The acute level of household waste contributes to 55% of all plastic dumped in UK landfill sites and a further 8 million tonnes ending up in the world’s oceans.
The launch of SaveMoneyCutCarbon Home is demonstrative of how technology is transforming the sustainability arena, with the app now available via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
How it Works: After downloading the free app, users will need first to create a SaveMoneyCutCarbon account. They can then browse a regularly updated library of easy-to-read ‘Learn & Save’ articles, covering all sustainable savings, and hot topics, as well as have access to the ‘Swap Shop’ tool. Subsequently, account-holders can gain rewards once a swap is made via the ‘Planet Points’ programme. The app closes the sustainable savings circle for the user, as the app’s Impact Statement functionality goes one step further than a traditional carbon footprint calculator and shows the user how much money, energy, water, and carbon they’ve saved over time.
Swaps To Save in The Home: The app delivers an extensive overview of education-backed swaps from their ‘Learn, Shop and Save’ programme, for example, for each traditional light bulb you swap for an LED alternative you will be using 90 per cent less energy.
In landmark national research, commissioned by SaveMoneyCutCarbon, it was revealed that well over a third of the nation (39%) are severely affected by the monumental rise in energy bills but haven’t done anything about it because they don’t know where to begin. A further 36% admitted that they don’t bother making sustainable changes within their homes as they believe it is too expensive.
Kirsty Brandon comments on the money-saving potential of sustainable swaps in light of their research:
“There is the notion that sustainable equals expensive. However, SaveMoneyCutCarbon hosts a wealth of eco-friendly products, which cost the same or even less than their traditional counterparts. For example, swapping your traditional kitchen roll for a reusable bamboo version can save you around £60 a year. Swapping your shower head for an eco-friendly option not only uses 60% less water, but it will save you £40 a year on energy bills. The best part is your shower experience will be just as good as before!”
