Green-fingered Britain puts more energy into gardening than playing sports

(PRWEB UK) 5 June 2015

New research shows almost two-fifths (37.5%) of people have a passion for pottering, preening and pruning in the garden, while other popular ways of enjoying the outdoors include shopping and dog walking.

 

First Utility, the largest independent gas and electricity supplier, conducted the research as part of its new campaign celebrating the things people put their energy into – while its team put their energy into offering the lowest gas and electricity prices for consumers. Customers switching their energy to First Utility save an average of £229 on their gas and electricity prices a year.

 

Popular TV shows have shown their influence on shaping people’s pastimes with Strictly Come Dancing and the Great British Bake Off among the programmes which make people want to emulate the contestants. The research shows a third want to develop their culinary expertise after watching TV (14.9% want to do more cooking; 14.1% more baking) and 10.8% would like to try ballroom dancing.

 

When it comes to indoor pursuits, the study shows the most popular choices are ones which appear to use little energy. But there are still a sizeable number who like life in the outdoors – a little more active and adrenaline-fuelled. Although a quarter admit they don’t engage in any outdoor activity.

 

Just 4% said they took part in competitive sports. The most popular sporting activity was cycling – mirroring the rise in the love for pedalling after a period of a prowess for British stars. Running was an activity shared by 7.5%, gym-going drew 7.4% and battle re-enacting was a hit with 1.7%.

 

Almost a third (31.9%) want to be more physically active as well as eat more healthily, with more women than men hoping to boost their exercise levels and dietary habits. The study shows our pastimes are not always self-serving – 8.6% would like to put more of their energy into charitable causes.

 

Of the 12% who said they took part in action sports, the most popular was mountain biking, followed by rock climbing and skydiving.

 

Ed Kamm, Chief Customer Officer at First Utility, said:

“We put our energy into lowering prices so that the UK can spend more on enjoying the things they put theirs into. Whether running the London marathon, or enjoying a box set marathon, we make sure energy prices are one less thing to worry about.”

 

Whatever the hobby, from the everyday to the weird and wonderful, First Utility is asking for people to share photos, videos or a few words that sums up what they put their energy into via Twitter @FirstUtility using the hashtag #EnergyInto. First Utility will be handing out a weekly prize of £229 (the average amount saved by switching to First Utility) to one hobbyist to help them put even more energy into it. The competition opens on 25 May 2015 and closes on 23 June 2015.

 

Notes to editors

The research for First Utility was carried out by Opinium between: 04 / 03 / 2015 and 09 / 03 / 2015 surveyed 2,051 UK adults.

 

Customers who registered at first-utility.com to one of its 1, 2, or 3 year fixed term and everyday tariffs between 1st October 2014 and 31st December 2014 saved an average of £229 per year

 

Regional differences available on request

 

About First Utility

First Utility is the UK’s fastest growing and largest independent energy supplier. It supplies gas and electricity to more than 780,000 customers throughout the UK and is committed to helping them reduce their energy bills by offering cheaper tariffs, helping customers use less energy through the use of innovative technology and campaigning for industry change. First Utility also donates 1% of its profits each year to the First Utility Foundation, an independent charitable organisation with a goal to improve the lives of vulnerable families and individuals across the UK.