Just 22 Per Cent of Canadians Are Doing Everything They Can to Conserve Energy, Although Most Believe It's Important

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 12, 2013) - Just 22 per cent of Canadians are doing everything they can to conserve energy, according to the findings of a national Energy Efficiency Survey.

The online Survey was commissioned by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA), Canada's leading, non-government, energy efficiency advocate. The results were released at CEEA's first ever Conference - the Thought Leaders Forum - today in Toronto.

"We've accomplished a great deal in the area of energy efficiency, but clearly we have a long way to go," said Elizabeth McDonald, President and CEO of CEEA. "The good news is that regardless of region, age, gender or income, a majority of Canadians intend to do more to conserve. Indeed, the Survey found that 75 per cent of Canadians say that conserving energy is very important."

The Survey was conducted by The Gandalf Group from February 13 to 26, 2013. It represents a sample of 1,584 adult Canadians, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 %, 19 times out of 20.

Among its findings:

• More than half of Canadians (58 per cent) said they are doing some things to conserve energy, but will likely do more.
• Just over one third of Canadians said they have done a great deal to conserve energy in the last year. (They're strong conservers.)
• When asked what the benefits of conserving their energy would be, 86 per cent of Canadians said saving money; 49 per cent said helping the environment. However, environmental concern - being motivated to make changes for the environment, is strongly associated with conservation efforts.
• One third of Canadians said they haven't done more to conserve energy because of cost.
• Only one quarter of Canadians have had an energy audit done, or participated in a rebate program.
• Few Canadians are able to reduce their reliance on the car, despite the obvious benefit they see.
• 81 per cent of Canadians said that developing technologies that reduce energy consumption is very important.

"The results of the Survey tell us that Canadians are strongly motivated to conserve energy," said McDonald, "but that they also need more information about how to conserve - and save money."

McDonald emphasized that when they have energy efficiency options that will save them money and pay for themselves over time, Canadians respond.

She referred to the Survey findings that the vast majority of Canadians have switched to energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. It also found that more Canadians than not have installed programmable thermostats, upgraded windows, door and weather stripping, or bought a new fridge.

However, fewer have undertaken the more extensive steps to replace heating or air conditioning, improve insulation or buy an energy efficient vehicle.

"The change to the home where there's most room to improve the numbers of Canadians participating is in upgrading insulation," said McDonald.

"The challenge for industry and government is to make more extensive energy efficiency products and programs more accessible to more Canadians," she said. "That's why our Thought Leaders Forum is so important. We'll be developing a White Paper, created by conference speakers and delegates, on the most effective, practical ways of expanding energy conservation in Canada. Canadians want this information - and we'll be providing it to them."

About the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA)

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) is a broad based not-for-profit organization. It is the leading non-government, energy efficiency advocate in Canada. The Alliance was established in 1995 to respond to the lack of a coordinated multi-stakeholder effort to promote energy efficiency in Canada, leading to enhanced competitiveness and improved environmental protection.

The Alliance works in partnership with manufacturers, utilities, governments, builders, labour and consumer groups, and environmental organizations to facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency measures in Canada. The Alliance is supported through fees and project contributions from members.