This page contains an analysis of the responses to the energy
questionnaire issued by the Energy Initiative in the first months of 2009.
It covers all responses received by 11 April.
Survey Result
The survey
We attempted to get responses from the 100 or so households who had opted for an energy assessment in 2006,
and from a random selection of another 100 households who did not.
The data analysed
We obtained 112 responses from:
- 60 (64%) of the 94 houses for which an energy survey was completed in 2006,
- 37 (33%) of a random selection of 97 other houses which did not take part
in the 2006 energy survey, and
- 15 other houses which did not take part in the 2006 energy survey.
Some of these replaced the selected houses for various reasons, and all were
therefore included in the analysis below.
14 responses were from rented houses, where normally the resident has less
freedom to make structural improvements to save energy.
It is likely that those who responded are not a representative selection of
each group, and that the true level of improvements and changes is lower than
estimated from these replies. However, the response rate of about 60% means
that the results are probably reasonably representative of the village as a
whole.
The results
| | |
2006 survey | Status |
| Responses | All | Yes | No | Owned | Rented |
| Number in sample |
112 |
60 | 52 |
98 | 14 |
| Structural improvements to save energy | 85% | 92% | 77% | 84% | 93% |
| Loft insulation | 27% | 37% | 15% | 30% |
7% |
| Wall insulations | 11% | 10% | 12% | 11% |
7% |
| Hot-water tank insulation | 17% | 17% | 17% | 18% |
7% |
| Window replacement, e.g. double glazing | 21% | 17% | 25% | 22% |
7% |
| Draught-proofing | 25% | 22% | 29% | 26% | 21% |
| More efficient boiler | 22% | 27% | 17% | 23% | 14% |
| Low-energy lights | 75% | 80% | 69% | 74% | 79% |
| Better heating controls | 21% | 17% | 25% | 21% | 14% |
| More efficient appliances | 27% | 28% | 25% | 29% | 14% |
| Generation of energy |
5% |
8% |
2% |
6% |
0% |
| Other |
4% |
5% |
4% |
5% |
0% |
| |
| Lifestyle changes to save energy | 90% | 92% | 88% | 89% | 100% |
| Switch off devices more often | 79% | 83% | 75% | 78% | 93% |
| Lower temperature or period of heating | 73% | 78% | 67% | 73% | 71% |
| More economical use of hot water | 51% | 45% | 58% | 47% | 79% |
| Other | 13% | 17% |
8% | 14% |
0% |
| |
| Influences for structural or lifestyle changes | 87% | 88% | 85% | 85% | 100% |
| General awareness, e.g. newspapers | 72% | 73% | 71% | 71% | 79% |
| Family and friends | 16% |
8% | 25% | 16% | 14% |
| Energy companies | 15% | 13% | 17% | 14% | 21% |
| Suppliers, e.g. double-glazing firms |
1% |
0% |
2% |
1% |
0% |
| Blewbury Bulletin or Energy Initiative | 43% | 53% | 31% | 43% | 43% |
| Other bodies, e.g. Energy Saving Trust | 17% | 20% | 13% | 16% | 21% |
There is very little difference between the different groups, apart from the
lower implementation of structural changes other than low-energy lighting
in rented accommodation.
- 96% of all respondents recorded making structural or lifestyle changes or
both.
- 75% of respondents have introduced or have been adding to their use of low-energy
light bulbs.
- 51% of all respondents have also made one or more other improvements, while
for 24% low-energy lighting is the only structural improvement.
- 90% of respondents have made some lifestyle change.
The options given for the possible influences on the changes was flawed as
we did not clearly identify the powerful effects of high energy prices, and
the influence of shops in the move to low-energy bulbs. Of the 97 who reported
on influences, 84% cited general awareness and 49% cited the Energy initiative.
5% of respondents (6 of the 112) have already taken action to generate energy.
Top of Page
Comments arising from the survey
We did not include price rises and cost as a driver for saving. This was mentioned by several.
Some of the houses were constructed or completely renovated recently.
If done in the last three years they have most improvements ticked.
If before that the improvements had already been done.
This is a random effect on the results but probably not enough houses are affected
to be significant.
Several messages approved of the BEI, e.g.
"I have found the BEI very stimulating to make me think about energy wasting
a lot more."
"Keep up the good work."
"Great initiative, keep it going to remind us."
"The BEI has been splendid initiative and I hope it will continue over coming
months and years."
The other comments were:
"I make fewer car journeys and wear more clothes."
"I am not sure this (questionnaire) is relevant to the policy!"
A long plea for a cycle path to Upton.
"Most of the shops in Didcot have doors open with heat escaping. The
same happens in summer with the Air Con on. Perhaps the Town Council/Chamber
of Commerce should be approached. If all agreed to a voluntary code this
could get positive reports in the local press, local TV etc. This could go
on to be a national initiative. This would be a massive energy saving."
"Maybe some sort of review of some of the different energy saving products available "Which" style
would be useful. When we got our new heaters and solar panels we had to do
a lot of research, so having information that is easy to access would be
great, especially users reaction rather than just company blurb."
"Perhaps other measures could be added to widen this survey? i.e taking
your own bag to supermarket (many sea turtles die through ingesting plastic
bags for example.) Also walk or cycle for short journeys etc. and recycling."
"I read somewhere of a local village that has cooperative purchase
of boiler oil."
"Some expert analysis of the best electricity tariffs for Blewbury
would be helpful. "
"What about a co-operative for the purchase of gas and electricity?"
"Keep Blewbury street light free!"
"Occasional snippets in the bulletin such as: changing light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs could save you £Y
per year."
"Suggest all households who have had cavity wall insulation installed
be made aware that a certificate of conformity/guarantee is issued by C.I.G.A."
"We are getting there and like others need the occasional push todo!"
"Had we nuclear energy there would be no need for energy initiatives."
"Local Authorities need to be more pro-active, and offer more advice
especially to the elderly and young families living in social housing."
"Vacuum flask for spare use of kettle water."
"SSE Flexiheat (dual tariff)."
"High voltage explanation in Bulletin helpful (Xmas tree lights method)."
"I am very happy to participate in any energy monitoring schemes if
it would help."
"Blewbury cannot have an energy policy it can only advise and encourage."
"Providing accurate information rather than generalisations should
be the watchword unlike the EST."
"A very useful service the BEI could provide is a database of accurate
information on energy saving equipment. e.g. It is not commonly known that
CFLs are only 10-15% efficient. Halogen spotlight can be much more efficient
(due to the narrow beam) in terms of illumination level per watt."
"Feel strongly that there is generally limited understanding of the
thermal performance of old buildings and the suitability or otherwise of
various energy saving measures (notably double glazing and insulation) which
can be undesirable in technical terms trapping damp etc. "
"HIPs system unsympathetic to old buildings - anything that gets the message
that "its not that simple" across is welcomed.
(The government is talking about removing exemption from compliance with
building regulations for old buildings.)"
"A far higher profile."
"12/24 V (or higher) from the streams"
"A village wide initiative for grant/lottery monies towards elements of "self sufficiency"."
"I would welcome some way of measuring the "carbon footprint" of
the village and monitoring this as a regular feature via different indicators. "
"Rising costs are a major incentive for energy reduction - maybe the
BEI could continue the awareness raising of money saving initiatives."
Discussion of these results
The high percentage of households that have taken some energy saving activity on board is encouraging,
though the fact that less than 50% of these think the influence of the BEI was significant in their decision
might be slightly disappointing. The cost of energy is probably the major motivator.
With several respondents specifically encouraging the BEI to continue and none expressing any criticism of our work,
we can probably take the survey as an encouragement to continue our efforts.
If we wish to get a measure of the impact of our work we could make an estimate
of the likely benefit of each mentioned improvement, extrapolate the percentages
over the whole village, and then assume that a proportion of this – perhaps
15-20% is the result of the BEI.
Top of Page
| 
