According to a recent survey, 52 percent of Australians are already taking steps to use less energy. For them, one immediate step is to turn off the lights and unplug devices to save money. The research highlights a growing awareness of energy efficiency, particularly among younger households and renters, and uncovers significant challenges they face in making substantial upgrades.
Energy costs continue to increase. For this reason, 56 percent of respondents plan on making their homes more energy-efficient in the next five years. Spurred on by both the promise of lower power bills and greater environmental sustainability, millions of Australians are rethinking how they use energy. That same survey shows that ignorance and affordability are continuing to hold back significant demographics.
Energy Consumption Habits
The survey found that 52 percent of respondents are actively turning off lights to decrease energy usage, while 42 percent are disconnecting appliances when not in use. These habits indicate a developing awareness of energy use among people of all ages. Perhaps most interestingly, those over 65 are more likely to have adapted their behaviors than any younger generation.
Despite this knowledge and concern, the survey uncovered an astounding trend. Nearly two-in-five respondents have a hard time figuring out how to make their home more energy efficient. Australians who are younger and renters find the chasm particularly wide. They are often limited in their agency to affect real change.
“The survey responses really showed that younger Australians are facing higher levels of climate anxiety, and they certainly do care about making these changes,” said Eleanor Creagh.
The Challenges Faced by Renters and Younger Households
Renters, and particularly low-income renters, have specific constraints that make reducing household energy costs and carbon emissions especially difficult. Many tenants report a sense of disempowerment to make these vital upgrades because of limitations placed on tenants by absentee landlords. Furthermore, younger Australians–many of who live in states–are hindered by the upfront costs of more energy-efficient retrofits.
According to our national online survey, 41 percent of those under 35 are ready to reduce their energy consumption. Most people are often stuck by where they live, making those choices harder as they may not have the choice to invest in sustainable technologies.
“But in many ways, they’re unable to because a higher proportion of them are renters and feel like they don’t have control over making those energy-efficient changes in the home,” Creagh added.
Additionally, low- to moderate-income households cite the most hurdles in switching from gas appliances. In fact, only six percent of respondents have made the leap to all-electric systems. Yet, 40 percent are unwilling to commit to phasing out their gas appliances at all.
Knowledge Gaps and Financial Barriers
One of the biggest hurdles found in the survey is the lack of clarity around existing government rebates and technologies. The majority of participants view energy-efficient improvements as immediate costs rather than savings over time.
“Many people see energy-efficient upgrades as expenses and don’t recognize the long-term savings,” Creagh noted.
Lack of upfront costs was the biggest reason, cited by 45 percent of those surveyed, for failing to take part. This underscores the immediate need for better financial assistance and incentives to increase participation in energy-saving programs.
Limited knowledge on how to increase energy efficiency is still a major hurdle. Economists underscore the need for specific education campaigns to arm households with knowledge and help them navigate energy upgrade decisions.
“Without better education, many households will continue to be locked out of those benefits,” Creagh stated.
