The University of Ballarat has announced a study that will research the influences on Home Energy Displays on domestic household energy consumption as part of a major project for the Central Victorian solar City program.

 

As part of the program, Ballarat residents who sign up for a free Home Energy Assessment with the Central Victoria Solar City energy research trial, may receive a complimentary In Home Energy Display unit.


These displays provide households with real-time information about how much electricity they are using, how much it is costing them and their carbon footprint.

 

All participants in the Central Victoria Solar City program are given the opportunity to take part in research on energy use behaviour being undertaken by the University of Ballarat.

Sue Harling, Central Victoria Solar City's Home Energy Assessor for the Ballarat region, said the In Home Energy Displays would change the way households understood and consumed electricity.


"The In Home Display is like a fuel gauge for energy. It shows homeowners their energy usage at any given time, the cost to their finances and the cost to the planet in terms of carbon dioxide produced each time something is switched on," Ms Harling said.


"As part of this evaluation, the University of Ballarat collects participant data on household and business characteristics, appliance use, energy consumption and environmental attitudes," Bob Bateman, University of Ballarat project manager, said.


"The analysis conducted by the University of Ballarat over four years (until 2013) will assess the effectiveness of the Central Victoria Solar City's products and services (including In Home Displays) on reducing household and business energy consumption.

"Findings from this study will provide a comprehensive insight into energy consumption in our region and will inform government energy policy."


The Victorian Government, through Sustainability Victoria and the Sustainability Fund, is also a key funding contributor. Fourteen local municipalities in Central Victoria support the project.



For more information, visit: www.centralvictoriasolarcity.com.au