LONDON, United States — Despite signs that Brits are becoming more environmentally aware, new research by npower, the U.K.'s largest electricity supplier has shown that as few as 5 percent are considering changing to 'green' electricity from renewable sources, while nearly 70 percent have no plans to make their homes greener.

Microgeneration measures that enable consumers to produce their own energy and dramatically reduce or even cancel utility bills, haven't yet reached critical mass, with only 2.6 percent of consumers considering installing a wind turbine and 4.5 percent considering switching to solar panels in the future.

"Consumers believe that changing energy to 'greener' alternatives is complicated and expensive, but it is the simple, little things you can do that help save you money and the environment at the same time," said Robert Harper, npower's environment and renewables manager. "For instance, switching to energy saving light bulbs can help reduce your carbon emissions by 48kg per year, while reducing your lighting costs by up to £100."

When considering changing energy to more efficient alternatives in the home, consumers were most influenced by saving money (77 percent), followed by environmental concerns at 67 percent, preserving the world for future generations (46 percent) and lastly, only 7 percent responded to pressure and guilt from the media.

The research also illustrated that the most popular forms of energy saving measures within the home, were also the cheapest and easiest, including -- switching to energy saving light bulbs and loft or cavity wall insulation.

Many respondents hold out hope for advanced technologies becoming commonplace in the near future. 27 percent of respondents believe cars will soon be run on cooking oil and grease from battered food, while 6 percent think electricity generated from cow dugn is the way of the future.