Residential energy use

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) for the first time has compiled data from Victorian electricity and gas distributors to provide an overview of residential energy consumption for each of Victoria's Local Government Areas.

Analysis of current energy monitoring practices in Victoria has identified a lack of place-based evidence that is flexible enough to meet the needs of different stakeholders and to support decision making at a range of spatial levels. To address this issue, DSE have collated and developed place-based energy use data.

The methodology transforms postcode-level source data provided by the Victorian energy distributors into consumption benchmarks for Local Government Areas, enabling changes in both the volume and share of energy consumption on a regional basis to be analysed.

The data

The method addresses data issues which would otherwise give rise to erroneous interpretations of perceived growth or decline in consumption if left unaddressed. The approach allows users to focus on 'real' change in patterns of energy consumption, both historically and for the future.

However, it must be noted that the methodology is experimental and, as such, caution should be exercised in the use of these statistics.

As this project progresses, DSE will be looking to formalise partnerships with electricity and gas distributors to supply the Victorian Government with on-going access to the raw energy data to help Victorians monitor and improve their household energy use.

Top of page

The Victorian story

Chart showing household growth, population growth and residential energy growth from 1998 to 2008

Figure 1: Residential energy consumption and growth in dwellings and population, Victoria, base year = 1998.
(Sources: ABS, 2006; DPCD, 2008; ABARE, 2008)

In 2008-09, it is estimated that about 17.5 per cent (156 petajoules or 156,000 million megajoules) of total Victorian energy consumption will be consumed by the residential sector.

Figure 1 shows that total residential energy consumption within Victorian households (excluding use of private transport) rose by 8% between 1998 and 2007, compared to a 15% growth in numbers of households. The trend means that households have undertaken energy saving actions to reduce their household energy use, resulting in the slowing of household energy growth across the State. However, total energy use is still increasing and households are being encouraged to keep up their good work and take on more energy saving actions to reduce their household energy use. Additionally, there was stronger growth when looking at just electricity and gas combined which implies there is fuel switching as well through time.

Energy use is directly related to climatic factors and household features such as household size, whether the household is connected to gas, number of residents and income level.

Top of page

Local Government profiles

Councils can use these data to monitor their progress towards a low carbon economy, informing their current energy saving programs or planning future programs.

Please select your local profile:

Top of page

What is climate change?

We all hear about climate change but what is it exactly? This easy to understand information will guide you through it and answer some common questions.