Those aged 55+ are least likely to call a tradesperson straight way when things go wrong, with many adopting a make do and mend mentality

7 in 10 can rewire a plug and more (75%) can bleed a radiator, but younger generations are less likely to know how

Energy expert smart meter engineer Tom Hicks, reveals what to watch out for and when to call in a professional

When it comes to DIY and home maintenance, young adults are relying on the services of professionals to get things fixed, while those aged 55+ are more likely to have a go themselves.

In a survey of 4000 people, many gen-Xers and older claimed to be confident with practical tasks too, with 7 in 10 knowing how to rewire a plug and more (75%) able to bleed a radiator.

New data from Smart Energy GB has found that those aged 55+ are less likely (38%) to pick up the phone right away and instead, in the case of Elaine Regan (68), from Borehamwood, adopting a make do and mend ethos.

Elaine said: “When it comes to maintaining my home, I'll often have a go myself before calling a tradesperson. It’s very satisfying fixing something and I can be quite handy with a screwdriver, especially if it saves me some money!

In comparison, half (51%) of those aged 18 – 24 call an expert when things go wrong, to ensure their home is safe (40%) and a because a tradesperson will do a better job (43%). And a quarter make the call because they have no idea what they’re doing.

2 in 10 of the age group can rewire a plug and 18 per cent say they are able to bleed a radiator. What’s more, under 6 in 10 (58%) know how to change a light bulb and a quarter (25%) can take a meter reading.

For those unsure how to check their energy equipment, expert engineer Tom Hicks, who has installed smart meters for over eight years, advises what to look for and when to call a professional.

Top tips: what to watch out for and when to call an energy expert:

Check your wiring - Wiring and fuse boxes should be replaced every 15-20 years, but it’s not uncommon to see 30, 40 or even 50-year-old equipment on the wall.

Call in an expert if you see any signs of overheating, distress on cables, electrical installation, charring, melting or exposed live contacts.

Look for soot - Boilers can go wrong even when serviced every 12 months, but many wouldn’t notice an issue until it stopped working. We look for fine 'sooting' or abnormal marks on the walls and flue that indicate signs of gas spillage. If you see something that doesn’t look right, call a Gas Safe boiler engineer.

Meter movement - If you have an old analogue gas meter and the dials are moving when all you gas appliances are turned off - even if very slowly over time - it can be a sign of a gas leak. We call it checking for creep. Anyone who has trouble accessing their meter can ask their energy supplier to send an engineer to check it.

If you smell gas, especially if its continuously inside, call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.

Power cuts – If this happens, the first thing you should do is switch off appliances and if you can, check your fuse box to see if a fuse has tripped (turned off). If not, check if your neighbours still have their electricity. If they are also affected don’t assume the experts have already been notified and give your Electricity Distribution Network Operator a call on 105. The sooner they know, the quicker they can help.

Get a free visual safety check with a smart meter installation - Smart meters replace your old analogue gas and electricity meter and are great tools to help you manage your spending on energy. But they also come with a free visual safety check when they’re installed. It’s easy to request one, just contact your energy supplier, if you don’t already have a smart meter.

Tom Hicks said: “Safety should always be your number one priority when it comes to energy equipment at home. It’s important to know what to look out for and make the most of the free checks and support available to households.”

Despite safety being a key factor, 6 in 10 people are unaware that a visual safety check of gas and electrical equipment in the home happens as part of a smart meter installation.

And it’s an important extra, with nearly two thirds (63%) keen to get one for peace of mind that everything is safe.

The trend in age and experience is also reflected in how much people know about their home, with under half (47%) of younger people knowing what a stopcock does or where theirs is located. And 3 in 10 (28%) know it controls their water supply.

But the research showed an increase in wisdom within older groups, as an impressive 95% of those over 55 can find their stopcock and 97% know what it does.

Elaine Regan continued: “There’s a lot my husband and I would have a go at ourselves, but when it came to my energy equipment, we wanted to ensure things were safe and done properly. When we got a smart meter installed the engineer did a check on our gas appliances, wiring and the equipment surrounding my meters to make sure everything was working properly. This gave us peace of mind and because my readings are sent automatically, we rarely think about the meters anymore."

When turning to an expert to finish a job, households claim to have done so because the task was harder than expected, but a fifth (21%) claim they made the situation worse.

Support from others is also essential for over a quarter (27%) of people experiencing a physical condition or limitation that affects their ability to carry out home maintenance tasks independently.

To find out more about getting a smart meter, visit smartenergyGB.org.

Notes to editors

Research was carried out by OnePoll for Smart Energy GB and surveyed 4,000 UK adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender and region) between 23rd – 27th June 2025.

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the independent, non-profit, government-backed organisation that helps households and small businesses across Great Britain to understand how smart meters can benefit them, their families and the environment.

We do this by working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including charities and voluntary organisations to reach people throughout the country, including those in vulnerable circumstances, who may otherwise miss out on the opportunity to get a smart meter.

Our campaign explains the impact that having a smart meter installed has, including helping the country to build a more a reliable and affordable energy system, and how the accompanying in-home display can help you take control of your energy use and manage your household budget.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

For more information including interview requests, case studies of smart meter users, infographics, photography and video content please contact the Smart Energy GB media team:

Alliya.Bouyis@smartenergygb.org, 07749 498 127

Ben.Welling@smartenergygb.org, 07921 819 353

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