The Effectiveness of Residential Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs

Effectiveness of Energy Efficiency Programs

Project dates: 01/01/2016 - 01/03/2019

This project involved conducting a systematic literature review into domestic household energy usage and determine what program elements are needed for successful energy reduction, conservation, and efficiency. The project primarily focused on electricity and gas usage inside the house, within advanced economies (as defined by the International Monetary Fund), between the years 1990 and 2016.

Additionally, this project sought to define the elements of success from a variety of perspectives, namely, reduction in energy usage, increased knowledge, positive attitude change or adoption, and positive behaviour change. This research collated all relevant qualitative and quantitative studies and examined the results to identify key success criteria and policy implications. The intervention elements examined included intervention goals and outcomes, study design, tools and technologies used and sample characteristics.

The systematic literature review identified 107 papers for detailed review and analysis and examined the following research questions:
  • What is the evidence of the effectiveness of domestic energy interventions?
  • Which theories/models/conceptual frameworks are used to inform energy interventions?
  • What populations or groups are the focus domestic energy interventions?
  • Which techniques and activities are used?
  • How are outcomes measured in domestic energy interventions?

Funding / Grants

  • Funded by Energy Consumers Australia and GEER Australia (2016 - 2019)

Chief Investigators

Team

Other Team Members

Partners

Other Partners

  • GEER Australia
  • The University of the Sunshine Coast

Publications