Home
News & Press Releases
Spokespeople
Assets
Blog
Contact us
Spiralling Energy Prices: The Catalyst to Accelerate Sustainability for All United Kingdom
19/05/2022
Sustainability Digital Transformation Green technologies Home & Distribution Press Release
A new Powering Change white paper published today by Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, highlights how much more can be done to address the UK's high levels of energy waste, at a time when every penny counts for UK businesses and consumers.
With energy prices set to remain high for several years, and increases in energy price cap impacting consumers, one often overlooked solution is to reduce the high levels of energy waste produced by UK homes and businesses. Over a quarter of all energy produced in the UK lost or wasted each year.
While we cannot influence the cost of energy, on average, 82% of the potential energy savings that could be made in buildings remain untapped, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Moreover, the introduction of existing energy management technology can reduce energy use by 30% - 80%, according to the United Nations Environment Programme - dramatically reducing the impact of energy price increases and reducing carbon footprints.
Cost is frequently cited as a barrier to introducing efficiency improvements such as installing smart home energy devices, not only amongst private homeowners but also by commercial landlords and property associations. Yet with a lifespan of over 100 years for most buildings, should financing efficiency and ultimately sustainability be a challenge?
Key points highlighted in the white paper also include:
The untapped potential of smart meters. At the end of 2021, only half of the installed UK domestic meters were smart meters. Of these, 15% were not operational, representing a further 4.1 million smart meters yet to be used to their full potential.
Smart thermostats - the quickest, most cost-effective way to reduce energy waste. According to a YouGov survey, only 18% of UK consumers use a smart home thermostat. Costing on average between £120 and £220, these equip both householders and commercial tenants with information about their energy usage and prompt them to adjust their energy behaviour.
Green buildings are a smart investment: On average, for example, we typically see a 30% reduction in energy usage, bills, and carbon footprints resulting from investment in smart, sustainable homes, commercial and office buildings.
Green means value: A recent report by Schneider Electric customer JLL suggested that over the last three years, houses rated outstanding or good by BREEM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) can command an 8% rental premium above that of non-rated buildings command an 8% rental premium above that of non-rated buildings. This echoes a report by the World Green Buildings Council, which estimates a 7% increase in asset value in new or renovated buildings.
Nico Van Der Merwe, VP Home & Distribution UK&I Schneider Electric, says: With the hike in energy prices, there's an obvious incentive for household consumers to get on top of energy waste and make bills more manageable. Home improvement and access to smart technology will reduce energy bills and energy poverty and make homes more comfortable. There needs to be a shift in thinking because, for many, the ability to invest in energy efficiency is a distant prospect for many consumers who assume it's something they have no control over. Crucially, this needs to be tackled in a way that makes energy efficiency affordable for all, or the burden of increased energy prices will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable.
Kelly Becker, UK and Ireland President of Schneider Electric adds: Higher energy bills, food prices and higher travel costs threaten the UK's economic recovery, and it has never been clearer that energy efficiency must be accessible to everyone. Commercial landlords and housing associations have an essential role to play and set against spiralling energy costs. The financial incentives to reduce our energy use and cut carbon emissions have also never been stronger.
Investing in energy efficiency is a win-win scenario. By embracing energy efficiency now, using existing technologies, we can reduce the impact of rising energy costs and accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions towards net zero to avoid climate catastrophe. Not only are these technologies proven, but they can be deployed quickly at scale - helping to reduce energy bills and decarbonise our homes and businesses immediately. By retrofitting and future-proofing UK housing and building stock we can ensure it's not a scramble to the finish line.
United Kingdom
Related Spokespeople
Kelly Becker
Zone President, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland
Kelly has spent many years leading Schneider Electric's business across the globe and is currently responsible for all operations within the UK and Ireland. Most recently, Kelly has also held the role of Schneider Electric Country President, Ireland and Vice-President of the Power Solutions Division in the US. During her experience, Kelly has led many Schneider functions across the globe with a strong focus on strategy and business execution. During her time in the US, Kelly led strategy and business development for Schneider's $4B Partner Business with a focus on strategic growth and breakthrough initiatives, market and geographic expansions and internal start-ups. She has held previous roles with Danaher Corporation and TAC/Schneider Electric selling complex energy management infrastructure projects to K-12 Schools and Universities in Texas, Illinois and New Mexico. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in ad
Europe Stories
23/12/2025
The year is winding down, the weather outside is frightful, and it's the perfect time to escape into a story that warms the heart. For listeners looking for...
23/12/2025
23 Dec 2025
VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan and Rakuten Symphony Collaborate to A...
22/12/2025
For a decade, popular German podcast Fest & Flauschig has hosted an annual Chris...
22/12/2025
Monday 22 December 2025
Sky extends PGA TOUR partnership until 2029, as Sky Spo...
22/12/2025
Siobh n McSweeney, Rory McIlroy, Elon Musk, Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin, Ivan Yates and Traitor Paudie Moloney lead new characters for Callan Kicks the Year 2...
22/12/2025
Winner announced in the picturesque surroundings of Wicklow's Avondale Tower and Treetop Walk
Andrew Trimble wins the show in his first series as coach
Th...
22/12/2025
The 2025 winners have been announced today, Sunday 21 December, for Ireland's largest choral competition Choirs for Christmas hosted by RT lyric fm.
Ove...
21/12/2025
John Shortt named Young Sportsperson of the Year Kerry are the Team of the Year
...
19/12/2025
With Playout Release 2025.4, ToolsOnAir continues to push professional playout w...
19/12/2025
19 Dec 2025
VEON's Mobilink Microfinance Bank Launches Islamic Banking Oper...
19/12/2025
The six-part drama, set in a close-knit Welsh town fractured by an unspeakable c...
19/12/2025
Rohde & Schwarz drives the future of mobility at CES 2026 At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Rohde & Schwarz will present a powerful lineup o...
19/12/2025
RT is proud to return to the RDS to support the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist & T...
18/12/2025
Canada's largest indoor arena has transformed its live production capabilities with a full ST 2110 infrastructure and Calrec's compact Argo S console. S...
18/12/2025
Long-term agreement includes the SES SCORE platform and hybrid distribution worldwide to deliver more than 5,000 hours of golf tournaments annually featuring th...
18/12/2025
18 Dec 2025
VEON Upgraded to Nasdaq Global Select Market, Enhancing Investor Visibility Dubai, December 18, 2025 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital o...
18/12/2025
Thursday 18 December 2025
Sky Sports remains the exclusive home of the Masters ...
18/12/2025
Using the additive process of 3D printing, layer after layer gets printed until an object is as close to the final shape needed as possible. Historically, machi...
18/12/2025
In 2025, RT proudly supported 185 arts and cultural events across the island of Ireland, reflecting significant growth since the scheme was re-launched in 2014...
18/12/2025
RT Sports Awards 2025 live on RT One and RT Player at 8:05pm on Saturday 20 December
On Saturday 20 December live on RT One and RT Player at the earlier t...
18/12/2025
RT lyric fm presents a very special Winter Solstice edition of Ambient Orbit, l...
18/12/2025
At 7.45pm on 1st January 1926, the precursor to RT , then 2RN, delivered the fledgling new Irish state's first public radio transmission. From those first c...
18/12/2025
December 18 2025, 05:30 (PST) The Movie Experience SLO Becomes First U.S. Exhib...
17/12/2025
Investigative journalists across the Western Balkans and T rkiye continue to con...
17/12/2025
The right playlist is essential on New Year's Eve, building the energy as you get ready and keeping it high as you count down to midnight. This year, Spotif...
17/12/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
17/12/2025
Wuppertal December 17, 2025
Riedel Builds Global Communication and Commentary ...
17/12/2025
December 17 2025, 17:00 (PST) Dolby and LG Unveil a New Era of Home Audio With ...
17/12/2025
Wednesday 17 December 2025
Heated Rivalry will be coming to Sky and streaming service NOW on 10 JanuaryTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy opti...
17/12/2025
RT has announced that Kathy Fox has been appointed Commissioning Editor with re...
17/12/2025
With the new season of Dancing with the Stars shimmering in the not-too-distant future this New Year, the celebrity and dancer pairings of the twelve couples ha...
16/12/2025
Hawkins has landed on Spotify, just in time for Stranger Things Season 5, Volume...
16/12/2025
Wherever you are, your favorite music and audio content should go seamlessly with you. That's why Spotify has partnered with NAVER Corp, Korea's leading...
16/12/2025
2025 Wrapped arrived bigger and bolder than ever. This year's experience is designed to be ultra personal and shareable, with new features like Wrapped Part...
16/12/2025
16 Dec 2025
VEON Announces Release Date for Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2025 R...
16/12/2025
16 Dec 2025
VEON's Kyivstar Invests in Renewable Energy in Ukraine with Acq...
16/12/2025
Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor Improves Streaming Video Quality and Boosts Viewer Engagement SAN JOSE, Calif. - Dec. 16, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: ...
16/12/2025
RT Sport Awards 2025 live on RT One and RT Player at 8:05pm on Saturday 20 December.
On Saturday 20 December live on RT One and RT Player at the earlier t...
16/12/2025
Singer -songwriter Brian Kennedy has been announced as the final celebrity dance...
15/12/2025
Cape Town, November 13, 2025 - SES and International artist and humanitarian, Fo...
15/12/2025
Luxembourg, December 15, 2025 - SES, a leading space solutions company, and Abra Group launched fast and reliable multi-orbit inflight connectivity service on t...
15/12/2025
15 Dec 2025
VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan Delivers First Starlink Direct to Cel...
15/12/2025
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor finds himself the topic of year's cracker jokes
Oasis, David Harbour, Celebrity Traitors and Angela Rayner all feature in this y...
15/12/2025
Comscore Expands Cross-Platform Campaign Measurement to Include Audio and Social New capabilities strengthen cross-platform campaign reporting suite; CCR rebran...
15/12/2025
RT .ie has reached one billion page views this year and is on track to finish 2025 2% ahead of last year. Average time spent on the site is up 3% on 2024, with ...
12/12/2025
Last month, Spotify announced a new collaboration with the ATP Tour, the global governing body of men's professional tennis, aimed at bringing the next gene...
12/12/2025
Friday 12 December 2025
Ted is back! Seth MacFarlane's live-action comedic ...
12/12/2025
Uachtar n na h ireann, Catherine Connolly visited RT Raidi na Gaeltachta's...
12/12/2025
Ireland AM host Eric Roberts has been revealed as the sixth contestant taking to...
Home 
