A new Energy Consumers Australia report shows 1 in 5 Australian households are vulnerable to, or are experiencing, some form of energy hardship – with renters disproportionately affected.
The report also shows barely a third (37%) of rental properties across the country have at least one form of insulation, compared with 80% of owner-occupied homes.
The findings have led to calls for consistent minimum energy performance standards, along with greater awareness of government and retailer hardship assistance programs.
CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, Doctor Brendan French, says more needs to be done to support locals who are struggling with their energy bills.
“Many renters are living in homes with woefully inadequate energy performance standards.”
“This is affecting them financially, because energy inefficient homes cost more to heat and cool, thus further entrenching energy hardship.”
Among households reporting two or more indicators of hardship, almost two-thirds (65%) had not enrolled in a hardship program with their energy retailer. About a third (30%) had not contacted their retailer about difficulty paying bills and almost half (49%) said they had not applied for government support.
The Consumer Energy Report Card survey asks more than 4,000 Australian households their views on a range of energy topics.
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/electric-electricity-building-1080585/
