Money Research with Money Matchmaker®
Will Aussies be changing their energy usage habits this winter?
A Money.com.au Study May 2022
About the study
Ahead of winter, Money.com.au commissioned an independent survey of 1018 Australian adults to gauge if households will be reducing their energy usage. Respondents were asked a series of questions to determine if they would be changing their energy usage at home to reduce their bills.
These included whether they would limit heating, reduce the use of non-essential appliances, only use appliances and power points when necessary, switch energy providers to get lower rates and reduce the number of days worked from home.
The pool of survey respondents matches the geographical spread of the Australian population.
What proportion of Australian households will reduce their heating and/or cooling this winter?
Money.com.au found that almost half (48 per cent) of respondents said they will limit their heating this winter.
- Half of households (51 per cent) will reduce the use of non-essential appliances
- Almost half (48 per cent) will only use appliance and power points when necessary
- Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) will be switching energy providers to get lower rates
- Only 4 per cent of respondents indicated that they would be changing the number of days they work from home each week
- A quarter of respondents (25 per cent) said they would not be changing their energy usage at home at all
Which State is the most likely to reduce its energy usage?
When comparing states, Money.com.au found that the ACT and NSW are the most energy conscious states:
- With 79 per cent of respondents stating they will be changing their energy usage at home
- Half (50 per cent) of respondents from the ACT will limit their heating this winter
- A relatively higher proportion (58 per cent) of ACT residents will reduce their use of non-essential appliances
- Almost two thirds (62 per cent) of ACT residents will only use appliances and power points when necessary.
Queenslanders the least conscious about their energy usage
- 35 per cent of Queenslanders will limit heating or cooling, along with 41 per cent of South Australians, 43 per cent of Victorians and NSW residents, and 44 per cent of WA residents.
- 45 per cent of Queenslanders will reduce use of non-essential appliances, followed by 52 per cent of WA residents, and 53 per cent of Victorians and NSW residents.
- 45 per cent of Queenslanders will use appliances and power points only when necessary, along with 49 per cent of WA residents, and 50 per cent of NSW residents.
- 17 per cent of Queenslanders and WA residents will switch energy providers to get lower rates, followed by 28 per cent of NSW residents and 31 per cent of Victorians.
So what about the other states?
- Just 1 per cent of respondents from South Australia will reduce the number of days worked from home each week
- 3 per cent of Queenslanders
- 4 per cent of people from Western Australia and the ACT
- 5 per cent of people from Victoria and NSW
What age bracket are most likely to reduce their energy usage?
Young people are more likely to lower their energy use.
- Ninety (90) per cent of 18-to-24-year-olds plan to reduce their energy usage
- Compared with 65 per cent of over-61s.
