What do you think helps make your home energy efficient? (Q25A, Cumulative)

This chart reflects responses to Question #25A from the Spring 2020 and Winter 2020 surveys, which asked “What do you think helps make your home energy efficient?” This was a check-all-that-apply question, and there were 159 cumulative responses. The options for the questions were as follows:

• I have LED light bulbs

• I have solar panels

• My house is well insulated

• I use water saving technologies

• I have double-paned windows

• I use Energy Star appliances

• My electrical wiring is up to date

• My stove does not emit any gas when I use it

• My behaviors make my home energy efficient 

• I don’t know

• Other

The most common option selected was “My behaviors make my home energy efficient”, with 77 individuals selecting this, followed by  “I have LED light bulbs”, with 59 individuals selecting this. Forty-nine individuals selected “My house is well insulated”, 39 individuals selected “I have double-paned windows”, 49 individuals selected “I use Energy Star appliances”, 26 individuals selected “My electrical wiring is up to date”, 19 individuals selected “My stove does not emit any gas when I use it”, 15 individuals selected “I use water saving technologies”,  12 individuals selected “I don’t know”, and four individuals selected “I have solar panels”. Thirty-nine responses fell into the “other” category, and these qualitative responses were further categorized thematically. Thirteen responses were categorized as “DIY weatherization makes my home energy efficient”, nine responses were categorized as “My heating system makes my home energy efficient”, six responses were categorized as “The structure of my home makes my home energy efficient (e.g. the home is made of good materials, the home gets a lot of sunlight throughout the day)”, and three responses were categorized as “I monitor my thermostat which makes my home energy efficient”. Three responses were categorized as “My home has good windows and doors”, two responses were categorized as “My home partially sources its energy from renewable sources”, two responses were categorized as “The drapes/curtains in my home help make it energy efficient”, and one response was categorized as “My landlord takes good care of my home, which makes my home energy efficient.” It’s important to note that many individuals selected multiple options for this question. 

 The data was produced by the Shifting Energy Demands in COVID-19 Survey, which has been administered to 169 people over two time periods. The Spring 2020 survey was administered to 86 people between May and June, and the Winter 2020 survey was administered to 83 people between December 2020 and March 2021. Visit the Shifting Energy Demands in COVID-19 - Spring + Winter 2020 Survey Results page to view more data from our survey. The project is approved by Drexel’s IRB.