Energy use and conditions in New Zealand homes: Insights from HEEP2 (home energy end-use project) data

To help support an effective transition to a zero-carbon economy, we need reliable, robust data on how, when and why people use energy in homes and the conditions they live in. The Home Energy End-use Project 2 (HEEP2) is a national data collection aiming to provide such insights. HEEP2 involves detailed monitoring of energy use and indoor conditions over a 12-month period in a sample of around 300 households throughout the country. An additional 130 households are taking part through surveys and granting access to metered (retailer) electricity data. It builds on the success of HEEP1, which ran from 1995–2010, to provide an improved understanding of the performance of Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing. The outputs from HEEP2 are in high demand, with stakeholders expressing an urgency for findings to inform critical energy wellbeing and climate change programmes. This research investment is focused on extracting and sharing insights from this rich dataset to meet these needs and ensure the value of the collected data is maximised. It will provide analysis on energy end-use and housing conditions, including by sub-population groups and dwelling type. It will also explore measures of energy wellbeing and validate different energy models to help quantify the gap between required and actual energy use. Research findings will help drive innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our housing stock. This research aims to address the dual challenges of climate change and energy hardship in Aotearoa New Zealand.