c3 energy use survey
DESCRIPTION
In August 2011, C3 polled 3,009 Albertans through an online survey, asking their opinions on the importance of saving energy at home, barriers that prevent them from doing more to save energy, whether they need help overcoming those barriers, and options for funding and administering more energy efficiency programs in the province. The survey was sent to a random representative sample of households in Alberta. It was deployed by C3 in partnership with Air Miles for Social Change and developed in consultation with experts at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and Research and Insights Consulting.TRANSCRIPT
C3 Energy Use Survey Highlights
December 2011
[email protected] 403.517.2700 www.C-3.ca Suite 600, 110- 9th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0T1
@C3EIC
The paper used for this brochure is made from FSC certified 100% post-consumer fibre, certified EcoLogo, processed chlorine free, and manufactured using biogas energy.
CENSUS OUR
SAMPLE
REGION ( 1 256 160 ) ( 3 009 )
Calgary
31% 39%
Edmonton
24% 26%
Other major cities:
10%
10%
Lethbridge
Medicine Hat
Red Deer
Grand Prairie
Fort McMurray
Rest of Province
35% 25%
REGIONAL REPRESENTATION
Results of survey have been weighted to reflect Census data
WHY A SURVEY? C3 believes that we as Albertans can benefit from improving the way we use energy in our homes. We are speaking with a variety of groups around the province to determine the level of interest and capability among Albertans to become more energy efficient at home, and to assess preferred approaches to funding and management of household energy efficiency programs.
THE DETAILS: In August 2011, C3 polled 3,009 Albertans through an online survey, asking their opinions on the importance of saving energy at home, barriers that prevent them from doing more to save energy, whether they need help overcoming those barriers, and options for funding and administering more energy efficiency programs in the province. The survey was sent to a random representative sample of households in Alberta. It was deployed by C3 in partnership with Air Miles for Social Change and developed in consultation with experts at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and Research and Insights Consulting.
WHO ARE WE? C3 is an Alberta-based non-profit that encourages energy efficiency and the small-scale use of alternative energy sources by Albertans. We engage decision-makers – individuals, businesses and other organizations – to encourage new choices about energy use. C3 partners with government, municipalities and corporations to design and administer tailored programs to help people use less energy, save money and reduce GHG emissions.
HOUSEHOLDS
CENSUS OUR
SAMPLE
REGION ( 1 256 160 ) ( 3 009 )
Calgary
31% 39%
Edmonton
24% 26%
Other major cities:
10%
10%
Lethbridge
Medicine Hat
Red Deer
Grand Prairie
Fort McMurray
Rest of Province
35% 25%
REGIONAL REPRESENTATION
Results of survey have been weighted to reflect Census data
WHY A SURVEY? C3 believes that we as Albertans can benefit from improving the way we use energy in our homes. We are speaking with a variety of groups around the province to determine the level of interest and capability among Albertans to become more energy efficient at home, and to assess preferred approaches to funding and management of household energy efficiency programs.
THE DETAILS: In August 2011, C3 polled 3,009 Albertans through an online survey, asking their opinions on the importance of saving energy at home, barriers that prevent them from doing more to save energy, whether they need help overcoming those barriers, and options for funding and administering more energy efficiency programs in the province. The survey was sent to a random representative sample of households in Alberta. It was deployed by C3 in partnership with Air Miles for Social Change and developed in consultation with experts at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and Research and Insights Consulting.
WHO ARE WE? C3 is an Alberta-based non-profit that encourages energy efficiency and the small-scale use of alternative energy sources by Albertans. We engage decision-makers – individuals, businesses and other organizations – to encourage new choices about energy use. C3 partners with government, municipalities and corporations to design and administer tailored programs to help people use less energy, save money and reduce GHG emissions.
HOUSEHOLDS
DO ALBERTANS CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH ENERGY THEY USE?
YES. Albertans want to save energy.
WE ASKED:
81% said
it’s a
priority
84% said
they’re
concerned
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Is saving energy at home
a priority?
Are you concerned about
the cost of your natural
gas and electricity bills?
DO ALBERTANS CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH ENERGY THEY USE?
YES. Albertans want to save energy.
WE ASKED:
81% said
it’s a
priority
84% said
they’re
concerned
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Is saving energy at home
a priority?
Are you concerned about
the cost of your natural
gas and electricity bills?
WE ASKED: WHICH OF THE LISTED EXAMPLES OF ENERGY SAVING MEASURES ARE PRESENT IN YOUR HOME?
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Drain water heat recovery
Renewable energy systems
Heat recovery ventilator
Tankless / on-demand water heater
High efficiency water heater
Additional wall insulation
Additional basement insulation
Additional attic insulation
High efficiency doors
High efficiency furnace
High efficiency windows
Draft proofing
ENERGY STAR dishwasher
ENERGY STAR home electronics
ENERGY STAR refrigerator
ENERGY STAR clothes washer
Programmable thermostat
High efficiency lighting
Currently have
Plan to have in the next 12 months
Percentage of Albertans who currently have the energy saving measures listed or plan to have them in the next 12 months.
84%
68%
41%
42%
39%
31%
26%
10%
7%
6%
4%
59%
58%
60%
65%
62%
55%
45%
Alberta homes have, on average, 7 energy saving measures.
WE ASKED: WHICH OF THE LISTED EXAMPLES OF ENERGY SAVING MEASURES ARE PRESENT IN YOUR HOME?
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Drain water heat recovery
Renewable energy systems
Heat recovery ventilator
Tankless / on-demand water heater
High efficiency water heater
Additional wall insulation
Additional basement insulation
Additional attic insulation
High efficiency doors
High efficiency furnace
High efficiency windows
Draft proofing
ENERGY STAR dishwasher
ENERGY STAR home electronics
ENERGY STAR refrigerator
ENERGY STAR clothes washer
Programmable thermostat
High efficiency lighting
Currently have
Plan to have in the next 12 months
Percentage of Albertans who currently have the energy saving measures listed or plan to have them in the next 12 months.
84%
68%
41%
42%
39%
31%
26%
10%
7%
6%
4%
59%
58%
60%
65%
62%
55%
45%
Alberta homes have, on average, 7 energy saving measures.
55%
62%
63%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
I rent. The decision is really for my landlord. *
Lack of money to purchase energy-saving measures.
Lack of info on which measures are a good investment
*Only the 598 renters in the sample responded to this question.
The top three most SIGNIFICANT barriers identified by Albertans were:
WE ASKED:
WHAT IS PREVENTING YOU FROM DOING MORE TO SAVE ENERGY IN YOUR HOME?
% saying barrier is significant
ALBERTANS FACE MANY BARRIERS IN MAKING THEIR HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
55%
62%
63%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
I rent. The decision is really for my landlord. *
Lack of money to purchase energy-saving measures.
Lack of info on which measures are a good investment
*Only the 598 renters in the sample responded to this question.
The top three most SIGNIFICANT barriers identified by Albertans were:
WE ASKED:
WHAT IS PREVENTING YOU FROM DOING MORE TO SAVE ENERGY IN YOUR HOME?
% saying barrier is significant
ALBERTANS FACE MANY BARRIERS IN MAKING THEIR HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
Albertans would be willing to make their homes more energy efficient if they had more programs that offered:
0% 50% 100%
81% Rebates, discounts, incentives, to help with costs
Information on what energy-savings measures are available
Information on how efficient my home is now
Information on how to install energy-saving measures
61%
67%
Percentage who somewhat agree, or strongly agree
WE ASKED: WHAT ASSISTANCE DO YOU NEED TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS AND MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
63%
Albertans would be willing to make their homes more energy efficient if they had more programs that offered:
0% 50% 100%
81% Rebates, discounts, incentives, to help with costs
Information on what energy-savings measures are available
Information on how efficient my home is now
Information on how to install energy-saving measures
61%
67%
Percentage who somewhat agree, or strongly agree
WE ASKED: WHAT ASSISTANCE DO YOU NEED TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS AND MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
63%
ARE ALBERTANS WILLING TO INVEST IN MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS?
YES. Households are willing to increase current spending on energy efficiency programming by about $35 million per year.
35%
support
22%
support 20%
support
23%
support
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Current spending
+ $0.5 to + $2.00
+ $2.50 to + $3.00
+ $4.00
WE ASKED: WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM ADDITIONAL AMOUNT YOUR HOUSEHOLD WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY, PER MONTH, TO COVER THE COST OF PROVIDING MORE PROGRAMS TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS IN ALBERTA SAVE ENERGY?
Average= $2 more per household per month
ARE ALBERTANS WILLING TO INVEST IN MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS?
YES. Households are willing to increase current spending on energy efficiency programming by about $35 million per year.
35%
support
22%
support 20%
support
23%
support
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Current spending
+ $0.5 to + $2.00
+ $2.50 to + $3.00
+ $4.00
WE ASKED: WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM ADDITIONAL AMOUNT YOUR HOUSEHOLD WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY, PER MONTH, TO COVER THE COST OF PROVIDING MORE PROGRAMS TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS IN ALBERTA SAVE ENERGY?
Average= $2 more per household per month
19%
25%
28%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
29%
28%
24%
0%25%50%75%100%
HOW WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO PAY FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMMING?
Albertans are more supportive of paying for additional programs through general taxes and dedicated surcharges on their utility bills than
through increases in their utility rates.
SURCHARGE ON BILL
TAX REVENUES
UTILITY RATES
% OPPOSING % SUPPORTING
19%
25%
28%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
29%
28%
24%
0%25%50%75%100%
HOW WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO PAY FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMMING?
Albertans are more supportive of paying for additional programs through general taxes and dedicated surcharges on their utility bills than
through increases in their utility rates.
SURCHARGE ON BILL
TAX REVENUES
UTILITY RATES
% OPPOSING % SUPPORTING
WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO SEE THEIR INVESTMENT SUPPORTED BY SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING FROM LARGE INDUSTRY?
5%
0%25%50%75%100%
% OPPOSING
n = 3 009
57%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
% SUPPORTING
In recognition of strong economic and environmental arguments there are precedents in other jurisdictions for using some portion of
the greenhouse gas emissions charges on large industry to fund downstream energy efficiency, i.e. in non-regulated sectors.
GHG charges on industry
used to provide
supplementary funding for household programs
WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO SEE THEIR INVESTMENT SUPPORTED BY SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING FROM LARGE INDUSTRY?
5%
0%25%50%75%100%
% OPPOSING
n = 3 009
57%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
% SUPPORTING
In recognition of strong economic and environmental arguments there are precedents in other jurisdictions for using some portion of
the greenhouse gas emissions charges on large industry to fund downstream energy efficiency, i.e. in non-regulated sectors.
GHG charges on industry
used to provide
supplementary funding for household programs
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS NEED TO BE DESIGNED, MANAGED AND DELIVERED.
Albertans said:
WE ASKED: HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU ATTACH TO KEY FEATURES OF A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR?
Most Important
Least Important
Must be trusted
Highly accountable to funders
Single-purpose mandate – no conflicts of interest
Funds safe from reallocation for other uses
Highly flexible, able to adapt quickly
Free of political influence
Long track record of successful programming
Coordinated one-stop-shop for electricity and gas
Familiar to respondent
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS NEED TO BE DESIGNED, MANAGED AND DELIVERED.
Albertans said:
WE ASKED: HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU ATTACH TO KEY FEATURES OF A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR?
Most Important
Least Important
Must be trusted
Highly accountable to funders
Single-purpose mandate – no conflicts of interest
Funds safe from reallocation for other uses
Highly flexible, able to adapt quickly
Free of political influence
Long track record of successful programming
Coordinated one-stop-shop for electricity and gas
Familiar to respondent
C3 Energy Use Survey Highlights
December 2011
[email protected] 403.517.2700 www.C-3.ca Suite 600, 110- 9th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0T1
@C3EIC
The paper used for this brochure is made from FSC certified 100% post-consumer fibre, certified EcoLogo, processed chlorine free, and manufactured using biogas energy.