4626.0.55.001 - Environmental views and behaviour, 2011-12 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/12/2012   
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Image: Personal electricity use PERSONAL ELECTRICITY USE

In 2011–12, 89% of Australians took steps to limit their personal electricity use. This was relatively consistent across all Australian states and territories, with the exception of the Northern Territory where 79% of people had taken steps to limit their personal electricity use. Australians aged 18–24 were less likely to limit their personal electricity use, with 79% having taken steps compared with 92% of Australians aged 35–74 years. (Tables 4 and 5)

For the 11% of Australians who did not take steps to limit their personal electricity use, nearly a third (32%) said it was because their electricity consumption was already low enough. (Tables 4 and 6)

The proportion of Australians who decreased their electricity use was lower in 2011–12 (42%) compared with 2007–08 (47%). Furthermore, electricity use for 48% of Australians in 2011–12 had stayed the same compared with 45% in 2007–08. (Table 1 and Graph 4)


Graph Image for Graph 4 - Personal electricity use in the last 12 months, 2007-08 and 2011-12



Among the states and territories, electricity use for more than half of Australians living in the Australian Capital Territory (53%), the Northern Territory (53%), Tasmania (52%) and Victoria (50%) had stayed the same. The proportion of Australians whose personal electricity use had decreased varied between states and territories ranging from 32% in the Northern Territory to 45% in New South Wales. (Table 5 and Graph 5)


Graph Image for Graph 5 - Personal electricity use in the last 12 months, by state or territory



Of the estimated 7.2 million Australians who decreased their electricity use, the most common reasons were trying to conserve energy (63%) and cost saving (37%). The reasons people's personal electricity use had decreased were similar across all states and territories. (Table 8)

The factors that influenced Australians when making a purchase varied depending on the appliance:
    • Water efficiency was an influencing factor for people whose most recent purchase was a washing machine (73%) or dishwasher (73%)
    • Purchase price was an important factor to those who had recently purchased a refrigerator (75%), separate freezer (70%) or electric heater (64%)
    • Energy efficiency was an important factor for those whose most recent purchase was an air conditioner (75%).
(Table 9)