Homeowners aim to be green

Homeowners are much more likely to view themselves as 'green' than people who live in rented accommodation, finds a new study.

According to TescoComapare.com over two thirds of homeowners (68 per cent) see themselves as environmentally friendly, compared to 57 per cent of renters who state they are green.

Worryingly one in four (24 per cent) of renters classify themselves as not very green.

"Our research offers an interesting insight into the different triggers that encourage people to go green. Homeownership clearly is an important point in people's life when they reconsider their impact on the environment," said Paul Baxter, director of commercial and partnerships at TescoCompare.

"With mortgage rates on the rise, inflation on the up and utility bills believed to increase by up to 40 per cent by the end of this year, it is not surprising to see that homeowners are taking swift action to take advantage of the money savings to be had through being green."

While both renters and homeowners named general concerns about the environment as the biggest driver to go green, homeowners are understandably much more motivated to go green if it results in saving them money.

Up to 53 per cent of homeowners name money savings as the biggest encouragement to go green, compared to only 41 per cent of people who are currently renting their property.

High energy and fuel prices are also much more important for homeowners, with 54 per cent of them citing this as a motivator to increase their green credentials.

In comparison, only 37 per cent of renters name the same factor as a driver to go green.

However, TescoCompare argues the situation may change in the long term.

Some 44 per cent of renters pledge that they will be doing more to reduce their personal impact on the environment over the next six months, compared to only 38 per cent of homeowners.

Chris O'Toole

Comment on this story... 

Recommended ...