C3 Energy Use Survey Highlights December 2011
contact@C-3.ca 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.
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.
REGIONAL REPRESENTATION HOUSEHOLDS CENSUS REGION Calgary Edmonton
( 1 256 160 )
OUR SAMPLE ( 3 009 )
31%
39%
24%
26%
10%
10%
35%
25%
Other major cities:
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.
Lethbridge Medicine Hat Red Deer Grand Prairie Fort McMurray
Rest of Province
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.
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.
REGIONAL REPRESENTATION HOUSEHOLDS CENSUS REGION Calgary Edmonton
( 1 256 160 )
OUR SAMPLE ( 3 009 )
31%
39%
24%
26%
10%
10%
35%
25%
Other major cities:
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.
Lethbridge Medicine Hat Red Deer Grand Prairie Fort McMurray
Rest of Province
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.
Results of survey have been weighted to reflect Census data
DO ALBERTANS CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH ENERGY THEY USE? WE ASKED:
Are you concerned about the cost of your natural gas and electricity bills?
84% said they’re concerned
YES. Albertans want to save energy. 81% said it’s a priority
Is saving energy at home a priority?
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
DO ALBERTANS CARE ABOUT HOW MUCH ENERGY THEY USE? WE ASKED:
Are you concerned about the cost of your natural gas and electricity bills?
84% said they’re concerned
YES. Albertans want to save energy. 81% said it’s a priority
Is saving energy at home a priority?
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
WE ASKED: WHICH OF THE LISTED EXAMPLES OF ENERGY SAVING MEASURES ARE PRESENT IN YOUR HOME? High efficiency lighting
84%
Programmable thermostat
68%
ENERGY STAR clothes washer
65%
ENERGY STAR refrigerator
62%
ENERGY STAR home electronics
60%
ENERGY STAR dishwasher
58%
Draft proofing
59%
High efficiency windows
55%
High efficiency furnace
45%
High efficiency doors
41%
Additional attic insulation
42%
Additional basement insulation
39%
Additional wall insulation
31%
Alberta homes have, on average, 7 energy saving measures.
High efficiency water heater Tankless / on-demand water heater
26% 10%
Heat recovery ventilator
7%
Renewable energy systems
6%
Drain water heat recovery
4% 0%
Currently have Plan to have in the next 12 months
25%
50%
75%
100%
Percentage of Albertans who currently have the energy saving measures listed or plan to have them in the next 12 months.
WE ASKED: WHICH OF THE LISTED EXAMPLES OF ENERGY SAVING MEASURES ARE PRESENT IN YOUR HOME? High efficiency lighting
84%
Programmable thermostat
68%
ENERGY STAR clothes washer
65%
ENERGY STAR refrigerator
62%
ENERGY STAR home electronics
60%
ENERGY STAR dishwasher
58%
Draft proofing
59%
High efficiency windows
55%
High efficiency furnace
45%
High efficiency doors
41%
Additional attic insulation
42%
Additional basement insulation
39%
Additional wall insulation
31%
Alberta homes have, on average, 7 energy saving measures.
High efficiency water heater Tankless / on-demand water heater
26% 10%
Heat recovery ventilator
7%
Renewable energy systems
6%
Drain water heat recovery
4% 0%
Currently have Plan to have in the next 12 months
25%
50%
75%
100%
Percentage of Albertans who currently have the energy saving measures listed or plan to have them in the next 12 months.
ALBERTANS FACE MANY BARRIERS IN MAKING THEIR HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
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?
I rent. The decision is really for my landlord. *
63%
Lack of money to purchase energy-saving measures.
62%
Lack of info on which measures are a good investment
55%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
% saying barrier is significant *Only the 598 renters in the sample responded to this question.
ALBERTANS FACE MANY BARRIERS IN MAKING THEIR HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
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?
I rent. The decision is really for my landlord. *
63%
Lack of money to purchase energy-saving measures.
62%
Lack of info on which measures are a good investment
55%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
% saying barrier is significant *Only the 598 renters in the sample responded to this question.
WE ASKED: WHAT ASSISTANCE DO YOU NEED TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS AND MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
Albertans would be willing to make their homes more energy efficient if they had more programs that offered:
Rebates, discounts, incentives, to help with costs
81%
Information on what energysavings measures are available
67%
Information on how efficient my home is now
63%
Information on how to install energy-saving measures
61%
0%
50%
Percentage who somewhat agree, or strongly agree
100%
WE ASKED: WHAT ASSISTANCE DO YOU NEED TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS AND MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
Albertans would be willing to make their homes more energy efficient if they had more programs that offered:
Rebates, discounts, incentives, to help with costs
81%
Information on what energysavings measures are available
67%
Information on how efficient my home is now
63%
Information on how to install energy-saving measures
61%
0%
50%
Percentage who somewhat agree, or strongly agree
100%
100%
ARE ALBERTANS WILLING TO INVEST IN MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS?
75%
50%
35% support
Average= $2 more per household per month 22% support
25%
20% support
23% support
0%
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?
Current spending
+ $0.5 to + $2.00
+ $2.50 to + $3.00
+ $4.00
YES. Households are willing to increase current spending on energy efficiency programming by about $35 million per year.
100%
ARE ALBERTANS WILLING TO INVEST IN MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS?
75%
50%
35% support
Average= $2 more per household per month 22% support
25%
20% support
23% support
0%
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?
Current spending
+ $0.5 to + $2.00
+ $2.50 to + $3.00
+ $4.00
YES. Households are willing to increase current spending on energy efficiency programming by about $35 million per year.
HOW WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO PAY FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMMING? % SUPPORTING
% OPPOSING
100%
75%
24%
TAX REVENUES
28%
SURCHARGE ON BILL
25%
29%
UTILITY RATES
19%
50%
25%
0%
28%
0%
25%
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.
50%
75%
100%
HOW WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO PAY FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMMING? % SUPPORTING
% OPPOSING
100%
75%
24%
TAX REVENUES
28%
SURCHARGE ON BILL
25%
29%
UTILITY RATES
19%
50%
25%
0%
28%
0%
25%
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.
50%
75%
100%
WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO SEE THEIR INVESTMENT SUPPORTED BY SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING FROM LARGE INDUSTRY?
% OPPOSING
% SUPPORTING
5% 100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
GHG charges on industry used to provide supplementary funding for household programs
57% 0%
25%
50%
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.
n = 3 009
75%
100%
WOULD ALBERTANS LIKE TO SEE THEIR INVESTMENT SUPPORTED BY SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING FROM LARGE INDUSTRY?
% OPPOSING
% SUPPORTING
5% 100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
GHG charges on industry used to provide supplementary funding for household programs
57% 0%
25%
50%
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.
n = 3 009
75%
100%
Albertans said:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS NEED TO BE DESIGNED, MANAGED AND DELIVERED.
Most Important
Must be trusted Highly accountable to funders Single-purpose mandate – no conflicts of interest
WE ASKED: HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU ATTACH TO KEY FEATURES OF A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR?
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
Least Important
Albertans said:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS NEED TO BE DESIGNED, MANAGED AND DELIVERED.
Most Important
Must be trusted Highly accountable to funders Single-purpose mandate – no conflicts of interest
WE ASKED: HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU ATTACH TO KEY FEATURES OF A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR?
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
Least Important
C3 Energy Use Survey Highlights December 2011
contact@C-3.ca 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.