# Credit Crunch Eco-Friendliness Consumers Are Going Green Out of Necessity By TopDog | Published 2009-04-04 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/going-green-to-save References: [bdcnetwork](http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/CA6647471.html) With the consumer confidence index near bottom and a growing concern over employment savings and security, consumers ravaged by debt are still willing to go green. High-efficiency water heaters and [energy-efficient appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miter-brands) still appear on shopping lists, even as people search for ways to save their money. Buying compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent ones, carpooling and [growing your own vegetables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaf-mineral) also make the list. Consumers are far more likely to take energy-efficient measures once they discover that they would [save money over the long term](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordability-calculator). The idea of reducing one’s living expenses while consuming less energy certainly brings peace of mind. According to a recent survey by The Shelton Group, the majority of consumers place savings over environmental concerns for their purchases. This is a change from recent years where helping the environment topped the minds of most. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **High-efficiency Home Appliances:** Opportunity to develop and market energy-efficient appliances that offer long-term cost savings for consumers. - **Sustainable Lighting Solutions:** Potential for disruptive innovation in the development and sale of energy-saving light bulbs to meet consumer demand for cost-effective lighting. - **DIY Sustainable Living:** Opportunity to create products and services that empower consumers to live sustainably and save money by growing their own food and adopting eco-friendly practices. ### Where This Applies - **Home Appliance Manufacturing:** Manufacturers can seize the opportunity to produce and market high-efficiency appliances that align with consumer demand for cost savings and environmental consciousness. - **Lighting Technology:** Lighting companies can explore innovative solutions and technologies to develop and sell energy-efficient bulbs that meet consumer preferences for sustainable lighting. - **Sustainable Living Services:** Service providers can offer guidance and support to individuals and communities looking to adopt sustainable practices, such as growing their own food and reducing their ecological footprint. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco-Minded Malaysian Markets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-shop.md) - [Eco-Friendly Washing Machine Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/washing-machine-technology.md) - [Anti-Water Waste Cleaning Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waste-no-space-campaign.md) - [Energy-Saving Beer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ad-that-saves-energy.md) - [Conscious Retailer eCommerce Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/klarna-conscious-brands-collections.md) - [Eco-Conscious Canned Water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wenlock-spring.md) - [Eco-Conscious Water Heaters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecoconscious-water-heaters.md) - [Eco Retailer-Supporting Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-consumer-connection.md) - [Sustainability-Focused Home Decor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/williamssonoma-greenrow.md)