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Household Energy Efficiency Study

JAN 2013

HOUSEHOLD ENERGY EFFICIENCY STUDY

C O N T E N T S

INTRODUCTION 3

1.1 Background 3

1.2 Study Objectives 4

1.3 Report Structure 4

PHASE 1 : SURVEY 5

2.1 Design and Methodology 5

2.2 Demographic Profile of Survey Respondents 5

2.3 Key Findings: Energy Efficiency Practices 7

2.4 Motivations 14

2.5 Knowledge 16

2.6 Barriers 18

2.7 Public Feedback 19

2.8 Summary of Key Findings 20

PHASE 2 : FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS 22

3.1 Design and Methodology 22

3.2 Key Findings: Saving Electricity in the Household 23

--- Personal Reasons 23

--- Social / Cultural 24

--- Cost Factors 24

3.3 Key Findings: Views on Current / Possible Future 25

Efforts to Promote Energy Efficiency

3.4 Summary of Key Findings 27

CONCLUSION 29


1.1. Background

INTRODUCTION

http://www.ema.gov.sg/media/files/publications/EMA_SES_2012_Final.pdf


1.2. Study Objectives

1.3. Report Structure


2.1. Design and Methodology

2.2. Demographic Profile of Survey Respondents

Table 2.2.1. Demographic Profile

FREQUENCY PERCENT

Male 1212 48.5

Female 1288 51.5

FREQUENCY PERCENT

Singapore Citizens 2110 84.4

Permanent Residents 390 15.6

FREQUENCY PERCENT

Chinese 1756 70.2

Malay 319 12.8

Indian 292 11.7

Others 133 5.3

FREQUENCY PERCENT

Single 717 28.7

Married, with children 1508 60.3

Married, without children 174 7.0

Separated/Divorced/Widowed 93 3.7

Refused 8 0.3

PHASE 1 : SURVEY


FREQUENCY PERCENT

15-19 years 191 7.6

20-24 years 165 6.6

25-29 years 160 6.4

30-34 years 240 9.6

35-39 years 271 10.8

40-44 years 287 11.5

45-49 years 242 9.7

50-54 years 219 8.8

55-59 years 197 7.9

60-64 years 177 7.1

65 years and above 351 14.0

FREQUENCY PERCENT

Primary & Below 459 18.4

Secondary School ('O' levels/'N' levels) 702 28.1

ITE 101 4.0

A Levels / Diploma 519 20.8

Degree 551 22.0

Post-Graduate 157 6.3

Others 3 0.1

Don't Know/Refused 8 0.3

FREQUENCY PERCENT

White Collar 1204 48.2

Blue Collar 198 7.9

Not working/Unemployed 123 4.9

Student 251 10.0

Retirees 326 13.0

Housewife/Homemaker 388 15.5

Refused 10 0.4

FREQUENCY PERCENT

HDB 1-Rm or 2-Rm Flat 127 5.1

HDB 3-Rm Flat 455 18.2

HDB 4-Rm Flat 787 31.5

HDB 5-Rm or Executive Flat 553 22.1

Condominium or Private Flat 426 17.0

Landed Property 150 6.0

Others 2 0.1


2.3. Key Findings: Energy Efficiency Practices Energy Efficiency Practices

Figure 2.3.1. Awareness of electricity saving practices (%)

REFRIGERATOR

LIGHTING , TELEVISION , FAN

49.1%

50.9%

Do not overload the refrigerator

Aware

Not Aware

38.6%

61.4%

Cool hot food before placing them in the refrigerator

Aware

Not Aware

75.5%

24.5%

Switch appliances off at the socket when not in use

Aware

Not Aware

47.1%

52.9%

Reduce consumption

Aware

Not Aware


COMPUTER

WATER HEATER

68.6%

31.4%

Switch off the computer if it is not going to be in use for a long period

Aware

Not Aware

27.4%

72.6%

Enable power management features on the computer, e.g. sleep or

hibernation mode

Aware

Not Aware

32.7%

67.3%

Reduce consumption

Aware

Not Aware

81.8%

18.2%

Only switch on the heater before showering, and switch off after use

Aware

Not Aware

36.4%

63.6%

Reduce energy consumption by taking cooler or shorter showers,

etc.

Aware

Not Aware


AIR-CONDITIONER

51.4%

48.6%

Use a fan instead of the air-conditioner

Aware

Not Aware

36.4%

63.6%

Turn on the air-conditioner for a shorter period

Aware

Not Aware

33.2%

66.8%

Set air-conditioning temperature at 25 degrees Celsius

Aware

Not Aware


Figure 2.3.2. Respondents who perform the electricity saving practices they are aware of (%)

REFRIGERATOR

LIGHTING , TELEVISION , FAN

90.9%

9.1%

Do not overload the refrigerator

Practising

Not Practising

94.5%

5.5%

Cool hot food before placing them in the refrigerator

Practising

Not Practising

95.8%

4.2%

Switch appliances off at the socket when not in use

Practising

Not Practising

96.2%

3.8%

Reduce consumption

Practising

Not Practising


COMPUTER

WATER HEATER

97.0%

3.0%

Switch off the computer if it is not going to be in use for a long period

Practising

Not Practising

95.4%

4.6%

Enable power management features on the computer, e.g. sleep or

hibernation mode

Practising

Not Practising

95.1%

4.9%

Reduce consumption

Practising

Not Practising

98.9%

1.1%

Only switch on the heater before showering, and switch off after use

Practising

Not Practising

95.1%

4.9%

Reduce energy consumption by taking cooler or shorter showers,

etc.

Practising

Not Practising


AIR-CONDITIONER

Purchasing Energy Efficient Appliances

Table 2.3.1. What would you look out for when buying a fridge/air-conditioner in order to save electricity?

TOTAL

Buy a fridge that is more energy efficient/has more ticks on the energy label 74.8

Buy an air-conditioner that is more energy efficient/has more ticks on the energy label 75.4

92.3%

7.7%

Use a fan instead of the air-conditioner

Practising

Not Practising

93.7%

6.3%

Turn on the air-conditioner for a shorter period

Practising

Not Practising

89.9%

10.1%

Set air-conditioning temperature at 25 degrees Celsius

Practising

Not Practising


Use of Energy Saving Appliances

Table 2.3.2. Use of CFL/LED lights (%)

TOTAL

Use of CFL / LED lights 79.6

Table 2.3.3. Aware that the use of CFL/LED lights help save electricity (%)

HOUSEHOLDS USING CFL/LED LIGHTS

Aware 94.8

Not Aware 5.2

Table 2.3.4. Use of instant water heater (%)

TOTAL

Use of Instant Water Heater 63.9

Table 2.3.5. Aware that the use of instant water heaters help save electricity (%)

HOUSEHOLDS USING INSTANT WATER HEATER

Aware 87.0

Not Aware 13.0

Table 2.3.6. Use of thermos flask (%)

TOTAL

Usage of Thermos Flask 40.6


Table 2.3.7. Aware that the use of thermos flasks help save electricity (%)

HOUSEHOLDS USING THERMOS FLASK

Aware 87.0

Not Aware 13.0

Top-of-Mind Awareness

Table 2.3.8. First thing that comes to mind when the term “Saving Electricity” is mentioned (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT

Switching off appliances when not needed 945 37.8

Saving money / Cost 732 29.3

Saving the environment 205 8.2

Using less air-conditioning 162 6.5

Nothing/Don't know 159 6.4

2.4. Motivations Reasons for Performing Electricity-Saving Practices

Table 2.4.1. Reasons for performing electricity-saving practices (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT*

Electricity costs are rising/I want to save money 1772 72.7

I feel that saving electricity is effective in saving the environment 604 24.8

I pay the utility bills 436 17.9

I already have a habit of saving electricity 365 15.0

I feel that saving electricity is the right thing to do 215 8.8

*respondents could choose multiple responses


Reasons for Not Performing Electricity-Saving Practices

Table 2.4.2. Reasons for not performing electricity-saving practices (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT*

It is inconvenient/not easy to do 115 34.2

Don't Know 74 22.0

I need to maintain my quality of life 53 15.8

My family does not practise electricity conservation 36 10.7

My friends do not practise electricity conservation 30 8.9


Influencers of Electricity Saving Behaviour

Table 2.4.3. Influencers of electricity-saving behaviour (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT*

No one 1467 58.7

Mother/Mother in law 377 15.1

Father/Father in law 335 13.4

Spouse 288 11.5

Children 151 6.0


Encouraging Others to Save Electricity

Table 2.4.4. Will you encourage others to save electricity? (%)

TOTAL

Yes 85.6

No 14.4


Table 2.4.5. Who would you encourage to save electricity? (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT*

Family members 1858 86.8

Friend 957 44.7

Colleague 255 11.9

Neighbour 149 7.0

Relatives 49 2.3


2.5. Knowledge

Perceived Knowledge With Regard to Electricity-Saving Practices

Table 2.5.1. Perceived knowledge with regard to electricity saving practices (1 strongly disagree – 7 strongly agree)

MEAN

I know how to save electricity 5.71

I know where to find information on electricity saving tips 5.04

There is a lack of information on how to save electricity 4.23

On average, respondents agreed that they knew how to save electricity (mean score 5.71), and somewhat agreed that they knew where they could find information on how to save electricity (mean score 5.04). The responses, however, suggested that respondents were divided on whether there was a lack of information on how to save electricity (mean score 4.23).


Perceived Knowledge With Regard to Energy Efficient Products

Table 2.5.2. Perceived knowledge with regard to energy efficient products

(1 strongly disagree – 7 strongly agree)

MEAN

I do not know how to identify energy efficient products 3.03

5.73

5.40

I do not know which appliances use more electricity

3.61

Perceived Level of Electricity Consumption

Table 2.5.3. Perceived level of electricity consumption (1 strongly disagree – 7 strongly agree)

MEAN

I use less electricity than most people 4.62

My household uses less electricity than other households 4.49

know how much it costs to use each appliance, I would save more If I electricity

Using energy efficient appliances will save money in the long run

The mean scores for the statements “I do not know how to identify energy efficient products” and “I do not know which appliances use more electricity” were 3.03 and 3.61 respectively. This suggested that respondents knew how to identify energy efficient products and knew which appliances consumed more electricity.

The survey results also suggested that on average respondents agreed that using energy efficient appliances would save them money in the long run (mean score 5.73), and agreed that they would be motivated to save more electricity if they knew how much it costs to use an appliance (mean score 5.40).

On average, respondents somewhat agreed that they used less electricity as compared to most other people (mean score 4.62), and that their households used less electricity as compared to others (mean score 4.49).


2.6. Barriers

Purchase of Energy Efficient Appliances

Table 2.6.1. Barriers with regard to the purchase of energy efficient appliances (1 strongly disagree – 7 strongly agree)

MEAN

I can influence the choice of electrical appliances purchased in my household

5.59

Energy efficient appliances are too expensive 4.68

Family Support/Household Norms

Table 2.6.2. Family support/household norms with regard to energy efficiency (1 strongly disagree – 7 strongly agree)

MEAN

My family does not believe in saving electricity 2.10

No one in my home saves electricity 2.02

4.05

My family believes that using energy efficient appliances will save money in the long run

5.68

energy efficient appliances too expensive My family finds buying

On average, respondents agreed that they could influence the choice of electrical appliances purchased in their household (mean score 5.59). However, respondents on average also somewhat agreed that energy efficient appliances were too expensive (mean score 4.68).

The mean scores for the statements “my family does not believe in saving electricity” and “no one in my home saves electricity” were 2.10 and 2.02 respectively. The findings suggested that respondentsʼ households believed in and had taken action to save electricity.

Respondents on average agreed that their families believed that using energy efficient appliances would save money in the long run (mean score 5.68). Respondents were, however, divided on whether they thought their families found buying energy efficient appliances too expensive (mean score 4.05).


2.7. Public Feedback Suggested Government Initiatives to Encourage Energy Saving

Table 2.7.1. Suggested government initiatives to encourage energy saving (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT*

Provide incentives (e.g. monetary/voucher rewards/rebates) 1032 41.3

Advertise more on media (e.g. TV) 913 36.5

Have more campaigns/initiatives on electricity saving practices 507 20.3

Provide more information on electricity saving practices 274 11.0

There is nothing they can do to encourage me to save electricity / Already doing enough

196 7.8


Information on Saving Electricity

Figure 2.7.1. Want more information about saving electricity (%)

65.3%

34.7%

Want more information about saving electricity

Yes

No


Table 2.7.2. Energy saving information (Top 5)

FREQUENCY PERCENT*

Energy saving tips 1090 66.7

How much money can I save 882 54.0

Choosing energy efficient appliances 652 39.9

Electricity consumption of individual household appliances in general 407 24.9

How saving electricity helps save the environment 372 22.8


2.8. Summary of Key Findings


Respondents agreed that they would be more motivated to save electricity if they knew how much it costs to use an appliance.


3.1. Design and Methodology

PHASE 2 : FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS


3.2. Key Findings: Saving Electricity in the Household

Personal Reasons

Saving money

Electricity consumption as a personal “need”


Force of habit

Social/Cultural

Household role

Cost factors

Affordability of energy efficient appliances


3.3. Key Findings: Views on current / possible future efforts to promote energy efficiency

Campaign messages

Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS)

Mobile phone apps

https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/nea-energy-audit/id503459578?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/life-cycle-cost-calculator/id515908851?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/life-cycle-cost-calculator/id515908851?mt=8


Electricity consumption graphs

Community efforts to promote energy efficiency

Incentive schemes

http://www.singaporepower.com.sg/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/docs/guid/b051fb9b-cb6c-2e10-c498-b8af349b0176

http://www.singaporepower.com.sg/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/docs/guid/b051fb9b-cb6c-2e10-c498-b8af349b0176


3.4. Summary of Key Findings

(MELS) was usef ul.


Raising awareness of other good energy consumption practices

Providing more information on the running cost of appliances

Promoting responsible energy use

Mediating the cost of energy efficiency appliances

CONCLUSION


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http://www.mewr.gov.sg/

mailto:[email protected]

http://app.e2singapore.gov.sg/Households.aspx

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