Abstract
Executive Summary
Key findings:
• A clear picture of the state of the energy efficiency of our housing stock, our household energy behaviours and our driving (and transport) behaviours has been collected.
• Four clear clusters of energy consumers are identified:
– The Energy Comfortable (23.7%) have less remedial (e.g. dehumidifier) energy use. They live in warm dry houses.
– The Energy Poor (21.1%) not only have the lowest incomes, they also have the lowest number of energy efficiency household modifications and practise the least number of energy saving driving behaviours.
– The Energy Average (24.6%) are exactly that, exceptional in very few attributes. There are significant opportunities for them to save energy.
– The Energy Efficient (24.3%) earn a similar amount to the Energy Average and the Energy Comfortable but have power bills similar to the Energy Poor.
• New Zealand’s housing stock is frequently not adequately insulated or efficiently heated
• Many New Zealanders do not practise energy saving behaviours around the house, including behaviour as simple as turning off lights in un-occupied rooms. This research gives insight into the frequency with which behaviours are practised.
• There is considerable opportunity to save money through efficient driving (most estimates are 15%) however many efficient driving behaviours are not practised by our sample.
• The earthquake in Christchurch is clearly found in the results with regard to heating, transportation and traffic issues.
• Poor energy behaviour in the house is strongly related to poor driving (from an energy point of view) and a low energy efficient house.
• The results would suggest that a systems approach to improving energy consumption will reap the best rewards.