Electrifying NZ's ageing household appliances - an opportunity for homeowners and the energy system

A comprehensive new research report released by EECA (the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) unpacks where Kiwi homeowners are at with household electrification, identifying the opportunity when it comes to energy use, emissions, and running costs.

The research looks at the current levels of uptake of electric cooktops, heat pumps, hot water heat pumps, solar, EVs and smart chargers by owner-occupier households in New Zealand.

• Three-quarters of owner-occupier households state that the ‘end of life’ of an appliance is one of the major factors that would prompt them to buy a new appliance.

• An electrified house swaps out fossil fuel appliances and vehicles – but awareness of the opportunity electric machines present for cost, energy and emissions savings, is low.

• One-third of households don’t correctly identify electricity as the cleanest source of energy in New Zealand, and many underestimate our renewables supply (80-85% of the grid).

• Penetration and the current rate of uptake of different electric options has been found to vary significantly.