About the study
Ahead of winter, Money commissioned an independent survey of 1,018 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 found that almost half (48%) of respondents said they will limit their heating this winter.
- Half of households (51%) will reduce the use of non-essential appliances
- Almost half (48%) will only use appliance and power points when necessary
- Nearly a quarter (24%) will be switching energy providers to get lower rates
- Only 4% of respondents indicated that they would be changing the number of days they work from home each week
- A quarter of respondents (25%) 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 found that the ACT and NSW are the most energy conscious states:
- With 79% of respondents stating they will be changing their energy usage at home
- Half (50%) of respondents from the ACT will limit their heating this winter
- A relatively higher proportion (58%) of ACT residents will reduce their use of non-essential appliances
- Almost two thirds (62%) of ACT residents will only use appliances and power points when necessary
Queenslanders the least conscious about their energy usage
- 35% of Queenslanders will limit heating or cooling, along with 41% of South Australians, 43% of Victorians and NSW residents, and 44% of WA residents
- 45% of Queenslanders will reduce use of non-essential appliances, followed by 52% of WA residents, and 53% of Victorians and NSW residents.
- 45% of Queenslanders will use appliances and power points only when necessary, along with 49% of WA residents, and 50% of NSW residents.
- 17% of Queenslanders and WA residents will switch energy providers to get lower rates, followed by 28% of NSW residents and 31% of Victorians
So, what about the other states?
- Just 1% of respondents from South Australia will reduce the number of days worked from home each week
- 3% of Queenslanders
- 4% of people from Western Australia and the ACT
- 5% 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.
90%
of 18-to-24-year-olds
65% of
over-61s
