Virginians ready to take further action toward saving energy
A new statewide Virginia survey has found that a majority of residents see energy as a very important source of household savings and, more than ever before, they are taking steps to reduce their daily energy use and are willing to invest more to achieve greater savings.
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Click on image to enlarge. Credit: Virginia Energy Sense |
According to the survey from Virginia Energy Sense, the state-sponsored energy efficiency education program managed by the State Corporation Commission, nine in 10 Virginians believe saving energy is important, with nearly 70 percent calling it very important. More than 80 percent of respondents are motivated to save energy to curb their energy bills while two-thirds believe it is important to save energy to protect the environment.
More than half of those surveyed are taking basic steps to save energy, including converting to energy-efficient light bulbs and powering off electronics. Four in 10 have caulked, sealed air leaks and installed a programmable thermostat.
"Virginians are making a strong effort to curb their energy use, but this survey shows that the majority of residents want to learn and do more," said Andy Farmer who manages the Virginia Energy Sense Program. "Fortunately, there are a range of things for any budget that households can do to save energy, from changing habits and using low-cost gadgets that make conservation simple, to energy audits and improvements that better insulate the home."
Some 70 percent of those surveyed are highly interested in learning more about ways to save energy; continued education is important because nearly two-thirds (65 percent) who do not feel knowledgeable about energy efficiency believe it is too expensive they don't have the time.
Nearly half of residents (48 percent) surveyed said they are willing to spend more than $100 annually on energy-saving investments -- an 8 percent increase from a Virginia Energy Sense survey conducted in 2012. In Northern and Central Virginia, the energy efficiency spending level is even higher -- 28 percent of those polled said they would invest between $100 and $500 annually, and 25 percent of homeowners are willing to invest more than $500.
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