A major survey of Queensland homeowners is set to commence with the aim of identifying trends in household energy use patterns and energy-saving attitudes and awareness.

 

The Queensland Household Energy Survey 2011 will provide a snapshot of current and potential future energy demands with an aim to assist with electricity network planning in the short and long term.

 

“The household energy survey, to be conducted by research firm Colmar Brunton on behalf of Queensland’s energy companies Ergon Energy, Powerlink Queensland and ENERGEX, follows similar research conducted during the past two years,” State Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said.

 

Mr Robertson said the two previous surveys have revealed a number of interesting trends including the overwhelming desire by residents to reduce their overall energy use, yet also showed a surge in the number of energy-intensive appliances which has driven up peak electricity demand.

 

"The 2010 survey, which was released in March, found Queenslanders for reasons of comfort, entertainment and lifestyle were increasingly filling their homes with air conditioners and a raft of high energy consuming appliances,” Mr Robertson said.

 

Among other issues identified in the 2010 report were that the number of home owners purchasing ‘green power’ was dropping; old age pensioners were considered to be the most energy conscious sector of the community; and almost 60 per cent of people with air-conditioners do not clean the filters on a regular basis, which can make them run more efficiently. 


The 2011 Survey will run online until early November.