UK households clash over tech in bedrooms and dishwasher etiquette – what’s your stance?

Maintaining a clean and tidy home has been identified as one of the most common causes of disputes within households, closely followed by disagreements over the volume of devices such as televisions and mobile phones.

A recent survey aimed to identify and resolve some of the nation’s most frequent household arguments. So, which side are you on?

The survey, which polled 2,000 adults, found that the majority agreed it was acceptable to have a TV in the bedroom, but insisted that all tech should be completely switched off and not left on standby.

In terms of bathroom etiquette, 73% agreed that towels should be soft and not ‘crispy’, while 63% deemed it unacceptable to leave the toilet seat up.

In the kitchen, 51% of households stated that dishes should be rinsed before being placed in the dishwasher, and 69% believed ovens should always be preheated before food is put in.

To ensure only necessary energy was used, eight out of ten respondents said the kettle should be filled with just the right amount of water needed, and water should never be left running while brushing teeth.

According to research conducted by Smart Energy GB, energy habits are the cause of quarrels in one fifth of households more than any other topic.

But over a third of those who argue about energy consumption confessed that their smart meter has helped them find more common ground, as they were able to monitor usage in real time and identify the most energy efficient solutions.

Podcaster Kate Lawler, known from the ‘Boj & Kate Have A Lot On Their Plate’ podcast, revealed her smart meter has put an end to the age-old clashes with her spouse Martin Bojtos.

According to Lawler, “As two foodies most of our debates tend to happen in the kitchen,” and she added, “Boj taught me everything I know about how to load a dishwasher, but somehow, he still always manages to put it on when it’s only half full.”

Victoria Bacon, Smart Energy GB director, chimed in, “Every household has its favourite debates,” and noted, “When juggling our daily routines we all need to negotiate and compromise from time to time”.

She concluded, “Having tools like a smart meter and in-home display to hand can help people make informed choices to save money and energy.”