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Tech tension causes home divide

1st December 2014 Print

The battle for home ownership in Great Britain isn’t at the estate agents, it’s in our homes as we scuffle for control of devices and gadgets that drive our daily lives, with two thirds of families arguing over technology in the home.

A three-month study of real homes across the country by the University of Bath, commissioned by npower to support the launch of its Intelligent Control – a new online dual fuel, direct debit fixed tariff that comes with the Nest Learning Thermostat – has revealed that while we may be a nation of gadget junkies (with British households owning 400 million devices) tools to make life simpler may actually be causing a domestic divide. 

While 24% of people won’t wash the dishes without a dishwasher and 40% can’t keep themselves occupied without a gadget, 64% buy a device to make chores more fun and over half of us (55%) to save time. Two thirds (64%) admit to arguing with their partner about their home appliances, with 17% of the spats over how a new gadget works and 13% of arguments caused because a partner refuses to read the instructions. The need to be in control or ownership of a new gadget is especially strong in men, with 40% wanting to choose the gadgets in the house and 19% wanting to be the first to try them out.

While some appliances are ‘cohabited’ such as the TV and shower, the study revealed that most jobs around the home tended to be viewed as either male or female tasks; women will typically own the washing machine and dishwasher, while men tend to take care of DIY and gardening.

Dr Ian Walker, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at University of Bath, said: “Home ‘ownership’ can cause confusion for families if people are territorial about what they consider ‘theirs’, or if gadgets and roles within the home lack a clear master. Unlike the washing machine, which was found to be clearly ‘owned’ by women, energy saving was the one task where our couples drastically disagreed over whose responsibility it was within the home.”

Jessie Parker, a study participant from Swindon, added: “My husband and I used to argue over the temperature of our home. When we first got the Nest, I’d turn it up at home and then realise he’d used the mobile app to turn it back down again from work. However, once Nest got to know us, this battle stopped – as it learnt our habits and found the right temperature to suit us both. So it was the best of both worlds in terms of energy saving and comfort, and we had to go back to arguing over the remote instead!”

Simon Stacey, npower’s Managing Director of Energy Services, added: “OFGEM data shows we spend around £1,300 per year on energy and heating is responsible for over 60% of the bill, so controlling energy usage in the home should be an important factor. While many families have battled over the optimum temperature, because no one feels responsible for energy, it lies at the bottom of the family to do list, despite being a bone of contention.”

Research shows we spend £2.4 billion on gadgets every year.  If you are looking for advice on how to manage your energy bill this winter through the intelligent NEST device, visit npower.com/nest.