Energy White Paper Must Engage Consumers

Published by Jon Land for Onzo Ltd in Central Government and also in Environment

LONDON – 14th JULY  2009

ENERGY WHITE PAPER MUST ENGAGE CONSUMERS

The Government’s Energy White Paper, to be published tomorrow, will fail unless urgent steps are taken to encourage consumers to cut their energy consumption in the home, according to Onzo, which works with utilities to change their customers’ behaviour.

Joel Hagan, the company's Chief Executive, said that ministers committed to a low carbon economy needed to do more to raise awareness of the amount of energy people were wasting in their homes.

“If the Government is serious about cutting CO2 emissions, it needs to tackle the chronic energy inefficiency of the country's existing homes,” said Mr Hagan. “The most promising way to deal with the problem in practical terms is by promoting behaviour change among householders. 

“The Government claims the general introduction of "smart" gas and electricity meters will do that, This is not true. Smart meters provide greater accuracy and frequency of billing but on their own do not provide any more information to consumers, or incentive to change their behaviour, than the present generation of meters does. 

“Reducing energy usage and cutting carbon emissions requires effective consumer engagement. Research shows that real-time energy monitoring displays in the home are the most effective tool for bringing about a reduction in energy use. They can cause a fall of some 14 per cent if used fully.

“Rather than demanding investment that is just not going to materialise in the short to medium term, the Government should accept reality and concentrate on promoting more practical ways of meeting the aim of cutting energy use in the home.”

1) For more information please contact:

Robert Clark, Communications Manager

 +44 (0) 20 3355 7025 or +44 (0) 7873 144 776

2) Onzo

Onzo provides energy and water utilities with the tools that enable them to build more valuable relations with their customers, dramatically enhancing their understanding of, and ability to influence, their customers’ behaviour.