Household energy usage predicted to grow
June 11, 2008
A new report on household energy use has forecast a 56% increase in energy usage from the residential sector by 2020 (based on 1990 figures).
The report "Energy Use in the Australian Residential Sector: 1986-2020" is the second national baseline study on residential energy use and outlines the predicted trends up to 2020.
Findings include:
Overall energy use from fridges and freezers is declining due to the improved energy consumption of new fridges and energy labeling. Energy usage from water heater usage is also predicted to decline due to the move away from electric heating (primarily storage systems) towards natural gas or solar with gas or electric boosting.
In contrast, energy use from personal computers, IT equipment and entertainment units has been growing rapidly and by 2020 is projected to almost match space heating as the largest single energy end use in the average Australian household. Space cooling (air-conditioning) is forecast to show the most rapid growth in energy use over the study period with an average growth of 16.1% per annum.
Although the study doesn't calculate the greenhouse emissions, it is likely that this predicted growth in energy use in the residential sector will result in a significant growth in greenhouse gas emissions.
To download the full report or read the major findings visit:
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/energyefficiency/buildings/publications/energyuse.html
