"General Consumers and Energy Efficiency" Rexel reveals the results of the first international survey conducted by Harris Interactive

1. General Consumers and Energy Efficiency
Report redacted by:
Jean-Daniel Lévy, Head of the Public Opinion Department
Gaspard Lancrey-Javal, Research Executive at the Public Opinion Department
Jamie Bettison, Research Executive at NetObserver
© Harris Interactive 09/2011 1

2. Methodology
• A quantitative online survey conducted by means of the Harris Interactive
access panel among a representative sample of the national 18+ population in
each of the 4 countries : France, UK, Germany, USA. 4,000 interviews total
(1,000 in each country)
• Field work conducted between 9-19 July 2011
• The representativeness of the samples was ensured using the quota method
along with an adjustment of data
• Sample :
- After weighting of the data, the sample was representative of the national 18+
population in each country based on the following criteria :
• Sex
• Age
• Level of occupation
© Harris Interactive 2

3. Reputation, Definition and Relevance
© Harris Interactive 3

4. Importance Attributed to Energy Efficiency
The purpose of energy efficiency is to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing service, thereby
lowering the environmental, economic and social costs associated with energy generation, distribution and
consumption. Would you say the issue of energy efficiency is very important, somewhat important, not very
important or not at all important?
92% 7%
France 47% 45% 5% 1%
2%
94% 5%
United Kingdom 62% 32% 4%
1%
1%
86% 4%
Germany 60% 36% 3%
1%
95% 4%
United States 63% 32% 3%
1%
1%
Very important Somewhat important Not very important
Not at all important NA
4

5. Attention Paid to One’s Own Energy Consumption
How much do you personally pay attention to your energy consumption: very much, somewhat, not very
much or not at all?
88% 12%
France 26% 62% 10% 2%
87% 13%
United Kingdom 37% 50% 10% 3%
87% 13%
Germany 27% 60% 12% 1%
89% 11%
United States 37% 52% 8% 3%
Very much Somewhat Not very much Not at all NA
5

6. Summary Chart: Evaluating Various Reasons to Promote Energy
Effiency
Do you believe the following reasons for encouraging energy efficiency are very good, somewhat good, somewhat
bad or very bad?
% Very good reason
67%
Environmental protection 57% 62%
58%
66% 73%
A desire to reduce your expenses 53% 75%
52%
49% 54%
An opportunity to use renewable energies
42%
51%
52%
A feeling of responsibility towards future generations 56%
55%
31% 43%
Job creation 46%
44%
37% 46%
Ensuring energy security 44% 53%
37%
38% 44%
The technological advances it generates
41%
Following regulations and standards 21% 26% 31%
27%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
6

7. Energy Efficency-Encouraging Measures Recognition in France
Below are some of the measures in your country designed to encourage energy efficiency. Have you heard of
them?
France
88%
The ban on incandescent lightbulbs 74% 14% 12%
79%
The Eco-Zero Interest Loan 45% 34% 21%
72%
The new Low Energy Construction
41% 31% 28%
Standard (BBC)
Yes and I know it well Yes, but I don't really understand it No
7

8. Energy Efficency-Encouraging Measures Recognition in the United
Kingdom
Below are some of the measures in your country designed to encourage energy efficiency. Have you heard of
them?
United Kingdom
75%
The ban on incandescent light
bulbs 54% 21% 25%
65%
The roll out of smart metering to
all homes by the end of 2018 33% 32% 35%
44%
Carbon Trust Loans 10% 34% 56%
32%
The feed in tariffs for PV 13% 19% 68%
Yes and I know it well Yes, but I don't really understand it No
8

9. Energy Efficency-Encouraging Measures Recognition in Germany
Below are some of the measures in your country designed to encourage energy efficiency. Have you heard of
them?
Germany
77%
Sparten (z.B. Photovoltaik) 51% 26% 23%
73%
EnEV (Energieausweis nach
Energieeinsparverordnung) 42% 31% 27%
71%
EEG (Erneuerbare Energie Gesetz) 33% 38% 29%
65%
KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) 38% 27% 35%
49%
Versicherungen 23% 26% 51%
45%
Banks (z.B. Deutsche Bank) 21% 24% 55%
Yes and I know it well Yes, but I don't really understand it No
9

10. Energy Efficency-Encouraging Measures Recognition in the United
States
Below are some of the measures in your country designed to encourage energy efficiency. Have you heard of
them?
United States
93%
Energy Star Appliances and purchase rebates 69% 24% 7%
US Federal and State Government Tax 88%
Incentives related to Home insulation,
heaters and air conditioning systems, and 54% 34% 12%
Renewable Energy generation devices
75%
The upcoming ban on incandescent light
bulbs 46% 29% 25%
Yes and I know it well
Yes, but I don't really understand it
No
10

11. The Stakeholders of Energy Efficiency
© Harris Interactive 11

12. The Stakeholders of Energy Efficiency: Summary Chart (1/2)
For each of the stakeholders below, say whether you think they have a very important role to play in encouraging
energy efficiency, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important.
% Important
91%
93%
Consumers, i.e. individuals 93%
93%
88% 93%
Energy producers and distributors 90%
91%
88% 93%
Electrical equipment manufacturers 89%
90%
88%91%
The State 87%
76%
Das Land (Germany) / The State (USA)
78% 84%
87%91%
Architects/Developers 90%
89%
86%
89%
Corporations 89%
85%
86%
89%
Local authorities 86%
71%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
12

13. The Stakeholders of Energy Efficiency: Summary Chart (2/2)
For each of the stakeholders below, say whether you think they have a very important role to play in encouraging
energy efficiency, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important.
% Important
Electrical equipment distributors 83%89%
75% 85%
83%
Installers & electricians 80%86%
81%
Consumer advocacy associations 81%
82%
76% 83%
Europe 79%
80%
81%
79%
Specialised big box stores (i.e. DIY, home decorating, etc.) 65% 74% 83%
General big box stores 70% 79%
57% 73%
NGOs 67% 74%
60% 71%
The United Nations 62% 73%
54% 68%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
13

14. Methods of Encouraging Electrical Efficiency
© Harris Interactive 14

15. Summary Chart: Energy Saving Habits
We are now going to talk more specifically about electrical efficiency in your home and all the ways you can use
less electricity throughout your day. For each of the following methods, say whether you already do it, would be
willing to do it or would not be willing to do it.
% Already does it
80%
Buy low-consumption light bulbs 71% 81%
69%
65% 78%
Fill the washing machine to the top before starting the wash cycle 79%
52%
31% 72%
Use power strips with an off switch 77%
64%
66%70%
Cover a pot of water so it boils faster 83%
61%
Shut off your devices (TV, computer, etc.) instead of putting them on 66%70%
stand-by power 56% 70%
61% 69%
Lower the heat (or lower cooling) by one degree in my home 66%71%
57%
55% 62%
Regularly defrost your freezer and refrigerator
33%
Shut off the stove and oven a few minutes before the food is finished 43%48% 71%
cooking 38%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
15

16. Summary Chart: Energy Saving Investments (1/2)
For each of the following investments, say whether you have already done it, would be willing to do it or would not
be willing to do it.
% has already done it / is willing to do it
88%
Buy low-energy household appliances 92%
93%
90%
83%
Install double-paned windows 90%
71%
83%
58%
Install a system that alerts you to unusual consumption levels 78%
44%
68%
Install an environmentally-friendly ventilation system (controlled mechanical 55%
56%
ventilation, or CMV, etc.) 33%
63%
53%
Install sensors that shut off lights when there is no movement in the room 67%
56%
68%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
16

17. Summary Chart: Energy Saving Investments (2/2)
For each of the following investments, say whether you have already done it, would be willing to do it or would not
be willing to do it.
% has already done it / is willing to do it
44%
Install an environmentally-friendly hot water system (solar water heater, etc.) 70%
45%
72%
42%
Install an environmentally-friendly heating system (heat pump, etc.) 73%
46%
75%
Install a system with a simple interface that monitors and controls household 40%
72%
appliances (home automation) 51%
60%
32%
Install photovoltaic solar panels 63%
44%
59%
22%
Install a residential wind turbine / windmill 43%
27%
46%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
17

18. Obstacles and Drivers
© Harris Interactive 18

19. Summary Chart : Obstacles in Saving Energy (1/2)
What are the main obstacles stopping you from saving energy and increasing the efficiency of your energy
consumption? (you may choose three answers)
45%
Products (LEDs, occupancy sensors, dimmers etc.) are too expensive regardless 50%
of their energy savings 43%
54%
42%
Not many financial subsidies 45%
30%
29%
30%
A lack of political will 8%
20%
5% France
26% United Kingdom
A lack of information on prices and products 38%
22% Germany
33%
United States
19%
Your belief there are no technological solutions that are truly effective 8%
26%
6%
14%
It is difficult to choose a service provider 12%
9%
6%
11%
Not knowing what the short-term benefits would be 13%
12%
11%
19

20. Summary Chart : Obstacles in Saving Energy (2/2)
What are the main obstacles stopping you from saving energy and increasing the efficiency of your energy
consumption? (you may choose three answers)
10%
Not knowing who to talk to 15%
7%
13%
9%
A feeling that one individual cannot make a difference 10%
10%
5%
9%
8% France
Habits you have that you cannot manage to change
17%
9% United Kingdom
Germany
7%
A fear of technology that is too complicated 7% United States
8%
6%
14%
Other 16%
13%
25%
2%
NA 2%
3%
2%
20

21. Summary Chart: Motivations for becoming Energy Efficient
What are the main things that encourage you or would encourage you to save energy and increase the
efficiency of your energy consumption? (you may choose two answers)
38%
37%
Financial subsidies in the form of tax credits 30% 36%
34%
Being able to easily measure how much you are saving 31% 38%
38%
33%36%
Other kinds of financial subsidies (tax breaks, etc.) 34%
35%
18% 30%
Technologies that look nice and are easy to use 41% France
16%
20% 26% United Kingdom
Financial subsidies in the form of interest-free eco-loans 21%
23% Germany
National or local awareness campaigns with information on 10%
energy-saving habits 6%9%
7%
United States
8%
A specialist coming to my home to advise me 7%10%
10%
6%8%
Stricter legislation 7%
4%
2%
3%
NA 2% 6%
21

22. Expectations
© Harris Interactive 22

23. Summary Chart: Most Important Topics to Receive Information about
What are the most important topics you would like to receive information about? (you may choose two answers)
27%
Financial subsidies/current legislation
23% 31% 35%
24%27%
Small gestures you can make every day 16% 26%
23%
24% 28%
Measuring my electricity consumption
21%
Technological innovations (renewable energies, lighting, heating) 18% 23%
20% 26%
5% 20% France
Depreciation timeframe for equipment
3% 6% United Kingdom
16% 31%
What work needs to be done in the home to make it energy-efficient 10% 32% Germany
10%
9% 14% United States
Diagnostic tests to perform
10%
Understanding the labels on household appliances 4% 6%
5%8%
1%
2%
Other 1%3%
12%15%
None 17%
18%
2%
1%
NA 1%
1%
23

24. Summary Chart : Acceptable Efforts to Save Energy
And would you personally be willing to make any additional efforts to save energy?
% Willing
Time-related efforts, as in spending more time doing some tasks and 76%
adopting certain time-consuming habits like shutting off all the power 82%
80%
strips in the house every night, etc. 75%
Efforts to invest in equipment that costs more, but pays for itself in the 69%
72%
short or medium terms 72%
78%
Efforts to give up certain habits or ‘convenience’ appliances, such as not 61%
using a clothes dryer, taking colder showers, limiting the number of 71%
70%
electronic devices, etc. 52%
18%
Budget-related efforts, as in paying more for energy 31%
32%
34%
France United Kingdom Germany United States
24