{"id":92008,"date":"2025-05-15T05:56:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T20:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=92008"},"modified":"2025-05-15T05:56:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T20:26:23","slug":"home-energy-report-mb3181","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/home-energy-report-mb3181\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Home Energy Report: Opportunities And Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Energy<\/p>\n

Many Australians are eager to invest in energy efficiency upgrades for their homes, but cost isn’t the only perceived obstacle according to a new report. <\/p>\n

The PropTrack\/Origin Australian Home Energy Report released yesterday delves into home energy efficiency trends and issues in Australia, based on insights from the realestate.com.au Residential Audience Pulse Survey conducted in January this year.<\/p>\n

Understanding<\/h2>\n

While the terms ‘energy efficiency’ and ‘renewable energy’ had the highest levels of self-perceived good understanding at 54% and 53% respectively, only 34% of respondents indicated good understanding of the term ‘electrification’. Even fewer had a good understanding of ‘NatHERS’ (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme), which measures a home’s energy efficiency – just 10%.<\/p>\n

Sure, knowledge of terms and jargon is handy, but these terms are just labels and this doesn’t necessarily indicate a lack of understanding of the concepts behind them. But the report says:<\/p>\n

“With limited understanding of key energy terms, many Australians are less likely to make informed choices about home energy improvements. This highlights the need for targeted education campaigns to bridge the knowledge gap and encourage action.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Motivations<\/h2>\n

The report suggests 68% of Australians consider reducing energy bills as the primary motivation for making home energy upgrades, while 55% also recognised the environmental benefits.<\/p>\n

38% said they had experienced climate change anxiety, while 44% believed their individual actions can help Australia achieve a net zero outcome. But just on that, while Australia has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, only 16% of respondents believed this would be achieved.<\/p>\n

Attitudes To Home Electrification<\/h2>\n

Climate Council analysis released in 2023 indicated electrifying a home\u2019s cooking, heating and hot water can save a household up to $1,311 annually; even without solar panels.<\/p>\n

According to the survey, 40% of respondents would consider switching to an all-electric home, 28% would not and 32% remain undecided. The results showed a small fall in the proportion who would consider doing so compared to last year (41%), but a bigger fall among those who said no and an increase in those still on the fence.<\/p>\n

\"Home<\/p>\n

Main Challenges<\/h2>\n

Upfront costs (58%) were noted as the biggest hurdle among homeowners, while renters – and particularly those under 35 (47%)\u00a0 – said lack of control was a key challenge. And only 19% of survey participants believed existing policies, grants and incentives<\/a> are sufficient to improve the energy efficiency of Australia\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n

Harking back to the “understanding” assessment made in the report, only 13% of under 35s, 11% in the 35 – 64 age bracket and 8% of those 65+ noted a lack of understanding on how to make an impact as one of the main challenges to adopting energy-efficient features.<\/p>\n

Actions<\/h2>\n

65% of respondents planning to invest in home energy improvements at some point sounds encouraging, but 44% indicated they don’t plan making any changes in the next five years. Among the reasons behind this, close to 40% don’t know where to where to start, and 45% cited upfront costs being the biggest deterrent.<\/p>\n

When respondents who would be making improvements were asked how much they are likely to spend in the next five years to improve the energy efficiency of their current \/ future home, 30% were uncertain. For those who had a figure in mind the averages were:<\/p>\n