Research by Motivaction, commissioned by the Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE), shows that households with sustainable measures such as solar panels, heat pumps and home insulation worry less about their energy bills.
Positive impact and high satisfaction
Over 70% of solar panel owners and over 60% of users of heat pumps and insulation measures report fewer worries about their energy bills. Olof van der Gaag, chairman of the NVDE, stresses, ‘Sustainability is the most structural solution for an affordable and predictable energy bill.’
In addition, the survey shows that the Dutch are very satisfied with their sustainable measures. Solar panels score the highest with a 95% satisfaction rate, followed by electric cars (91%), insulation measures (90%) and heat pumps (85%).
Sustainability achievable for everyone
The survey shows that both homeowners and renters, and people from all income levels, are satisfied with sustainable measures. Lower-income households with solar panels are even more likely than average to report that they worry less about their energy bills (indicative, due to the small number of respondents in this particular group).
Pride and comfort
Three quarters of owners of sustainable measures are proud of their investment and experience more comfort in their homes. The majority would buy the same measures again, with percentages of 80, 79 and 86% for solar panels, heat pumps and electric cars, respectively.
Wide access to sustainable measures
Sustainable measures effectively reduce concerns about energy costs. Van der Gaag argues for wider accessibility: ‘It would be good to make these “worry relievers” accessible to everyone, for example through large-scale home improvement, faster roll-out of solar panels on rental properties and making electric cars accessible to lower incomes.’
Conclusion
Sustainable measures have a positive impact on households' financial peace of mind and satisfaction. It is crucial to make these benefits more widely available so that everyone can benefit from affordable and predictable energy bills. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future for all Dutch people.
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Source: NVDE
