Brits have voted on what the most common household rules are – as they feel it’s important to make sure everyone has boundaries at home, but which as come out as number one?
House rules are something many people will be used to – but what has been voted as the most common household rule to abide by?
In a study of 2000 people, it’s been revealed what the most important rule is, and what Brits stick by the most at home.
Commissioned by Smart Energy GB and conducted by Perspectus Global, the study found that cost of living and environmental factors were a big part of many people’s household concerns. It also found 97 per cent of participants believed it’s important to have rules, and 98 per cent agreed it’s “vital” to have boundaries.
Three-quarters (77 per cent) of people believe that having specific house rules can help their homes run smoothly, while two-thirds (66 per cent) have introduced directives so that everyone knows what is acceptable.
Because of rising energy costs and financial pressures on homeowners has been found that 89 per cent now believe that rules around energy saving are the most important, with the most common rule being turning the lights off when leaving a room – as voted for by 63 per cent. According to the Daily Mail, nearly half (48 per cent) have implemented their own rules to be energy efficient.
The second most important rule found from the study was recycling properly – putting plastic, cardboard, and glass in the recycling bins, as chosen by 59 per cent. In third was combatting food waste – chosen by 56 per cent of people. Others included taking your shoes off at the front door (53 per cent), no screens while eating (41 per cent) and all electricals turned off at the plug (36 per cent).
Interestingly, priorities were different for renters. While homeowner’s top three rules were lights off, no food waste and taking shoes off at the front door, it was found that those renting preferred recycling as a main priority (55 per cent), not turning the thermostat up without asking (27 per cent) to only boil the water they need (23 per cent) and only turn the dishwasher on when it’s full (19 per cent).
Victoria Bacon, Smart Energy GB, said: “It’s clear from the research that house rules have an important place in a modern home, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis rumbling on and many people conscious of taking steps to keep bills down. There are several changes you can make at no additional cost, like requesting a smart meter from your energy supplier, which is simple to do and effective at helping to put you in control of your energy use and keep your bills down.
The most important rules found in the study:
Always turn off the lights when leaving the home – 63%
Always put plastic, cardboard and glass in the recycling – 59%
Don’t waste food – 56%
Shoes off at the front door – 51%
Always be as energy efficient as possible – 48%
Don’t leave wet towels on the floor – 41%
No screens at the dinner table – 38%
Don’t put empty cartons back in the fridge – 37%
Wipe up your crumbs after making food – 37%
Turn electrical items off at the plug – 36%
Don’t leave plates and glasses in the bedroom – 34%
Don’t switch TV channels when someone is watching a programme – 32%
Always put things back where you found them – 32%
Only boil the water you need – 30%
Always put the toilet seat down – 30%
Don’t turn the thermostat up without asking – 27%
Close doors when you leave a room – 26%
Always wash the bath/shower down after use – 25%
Only put the dishwasher on when it’s full – 24%
Don’t leave your phone on charge overnight – 18%
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