HOUSEHOLD ENERGY EFFICIENT IMPROVEMENTS: INTENTIONS, ACTIONS

[greenbuild]

FEATURE ARTICLE - HOUSEHOLD ENERGY EFFICIENT IMPROVEMENTS: INTENTIONS, ACTIONS AND BARRIERS
Australian Bureau of Statistics 4670.0 - Household Energy Consumption Survey, Australia: Summary of Results, 2012

Summary:
This article draws on longitudinal data collected as part of the Household Energy Consumption Survey (HECS) in providing some initial insights regarding energy efficient improvements made by Australian households. It follows a subsample of HECS respondents for 12 months after their household interview, and examines their intentions and subsequent actions in making energy improvements to their dwelling. Overall, this analysis found that of the 21% who indicated an intention to make improvements, around half did so in the follow-up period. Interestingly, most improvements (around two-thirds) were not reported as a planned improvement at initial interview.

Key findings:
Households in the ACT were more likely to both intend to and subsequently carry out a modification to their dwelling.
More than half of those who intended to make an improvement, made the same type of improvement they intended.
For those who did not make an improvement (whether intended or not), reasons such as cost and lack of need were common barriers identified for not doing so.
Owner households who intended to make an improvement were more likely to indicate a future intention to make an improvement in the 12 months after the follow-up period.

Introduction:
In an environment of rising energy costs, energy efficient improvements to dwellings, such as replacing appliances for improved energy efficient modes or installing solar panels or insulation, are increasingly being considered by Australian households.

This article explores the intentions and subsequent actions of a subgroup of Household Energy Consumption Survey (HECS) respondents in relation to such energy saving improvements. While a variety of influences contribute to decisions around energy efficient improvements, intention is theorised as a key influence to undertaking such actions (Endnote 1). Intentions have also been used to help understand energy efficient behaviours among Australian households in previous research. (Endnote 2).

During their first household interview, households indicated whether or not they planned to make energy efficient improvements over the next 12 months. The subsequent actions of households based on their stated intention to undertake energy efficient improvements provides some interesting insights regarding barriers to implementing such plans.

LINK HERE to full article: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/4670.0~2012~Main%20Features~Household%20energy%20efficient%20improvements:%20Intentions,%20actions%20and%20barriers%20%28Feature%20Article%29~10008