Australian households call for help on energy savings

Clean Energy Council
20 June 2011

Australian households want more support to save energy and money on their electricity bills but don't know where to turn, according to new research completed by Auspoll for the Clean Energy Council.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Matthew Warren said 95% of those polled said they were very concerned or quite concerned by rising energy costs. "It doesn't have to be this way. With the right support, households can be empowered to make big savings on their energy bills – and without comprising their quality of life," he said.

"The results are encouraging - 89% of people surveyed were willing to take actions to use less energy and 73% wanted more information on energy savings. But 57% of the population had little or no awareness of government programs and about half knew little or nothing at all about key aspects of their energy use. "The most effective way for governments to protect households from rising electricity costs is to implement effective energy savings programs, but these also need to be accompanied by targeted education campaigns," he said.

Mr Warren said introducing a carbon price in Australia was a first critical step towards de-carbonising the economy, but needed to be accompanied by national energy efficiency policies to support households and businesses through the transition. "Almost 90% of those polled said if the Federal Government implements a carbon tax it should make sure the community is supported and able to save on their bills. Australian households will be better off under a carbon price with the right support.

"Importantly, 74% of those polled support retailers being responsible for ensuring households use energy more efficiently. This confirms public support for the establishment of a National Energy Savings Initiative, an initiative which has been backed by a cross section of industry, welfare and environment groups," he said.

The Clean Energy Council has been calling on the Federal Government to implement:

• A National Energy Savings Initiative, which provides an incentive for energy retailers to deliver energy savings
• An energy efficiency program for low income households funded by carbon price revenue
• A co-ordinated education and behaviour change campaign with State Governments, energy retailers and welfare and industry groups to ensure there is a clear message reaching households.
• A mandatory assessment program for residential buildings.
• The polling also showed strong support for Government energy savings programs. Even with the intense negative media attention, 82% of people that participated in the Federal Government's home insulation program were happy they were involved.

The key findings from the Auspoll research are:

• 5% concerned or very concerned about rising energy costs
• 89% willing to take action to use less energy
• 73% wanted more information on how they could save energy
• 57% knew little or nothing about government programs available. 50% knew little or nothing about key aspects of their energy use
• 74% support energy retailers being responsible for ensuring households use their energy more efficiently
• 88% said if a carbon tax is introduced, the community should be supported and able to save on their bills.