In ‘Apathy Gap,’ Energy Efficiency at Home Ranks Low

November 6, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

When asked what two home improvement projects consumers would consider if they were given $10,000, improvements related to energy efficiency were outweighed by kitchen/bathroom improvements and new flooring.

About 37 percent of consumers listed the kitchen/bathroom as the highest priority, and 33 percent looked to their flooring needs, according to the Energy Pulse 2009 study from the Shelton Group.

Just last year, replacing windows (35 percent) and replacing HVAC/furnace (27 percent) ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

Consumers would be willing to see their energy costs rise 70 percent before feeling forced to make home energy efficiency improvements, the survey found. Suzanne Shelton, whose firm conducted the study, calls this the “apathy gap.”

“Here consumers are willing to waste more than $1,500 a year, or more than $4 a day, before they’ll take action,” Shelton said.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

It appears that the word is finally getting out that (with a few exceptions) replacing windows is one of the least sustainable upgrades for a building. See studies by the Department of Energy, Lawrence Berkeley Labs, General Services Adminstration, Pacific Gas and Electric and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. With exceptions for extreme climates and ’70s single-pane, non-thermally broken aluminum windows, the savings in resources is greater if windows are repaired and upgraded rather than replaced. The production/transportion of new products and landfilling of old-growth sash does NOT pan out.

Mark DeBacker | November 6th, 2009

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

JEONG CHUN PHUOC on EU Poised to Give Heavy Industry Free Carbon Permits
"“Competitive Intelligence in Environmenting : A Holistic Deal for..."

Philip Vandenberg on Building an Energy-Efficient Data Center Using Virtualization Technology
"Rob has implemented many best practices for data centres..."

George Hoguet on Rising Sea Levels Would Hit U.S. East Coast Hardest
"Want to add some pressure into the system? Check out the Facebook group -NO TV..."

Environmental Leader