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Heating practices and self-disconnection among electricity prepayment meter consumers in New Zealand: A follow-up survey

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  • O'Sullivan, Kimberley C.
  • Stanley, James
  • Fougere, Geoffrey
  • Howden-Chapman, Philippa

Abstract

This paper presents results from a twelve-month follow-up postal survey of 324 respondents who previously participated in a 2010 nationwide postal survey of prepayment meter consumers. We investigated changes in patterns of self-disconnection and explored heating practices. Self-disconnection decreased from 52.6% to 45.4%, while the frequency of self-disconnection increased slightly. The findings indicate that self-disconnection remains problematic and potentially harmful for many prepayment consumers over time. Self-rationing electricity, particularly restriction of heating is common; 57% of respondents agreed prepayment encouraged restriction of heating use. We provide policy recommendations related to prepayment metering in New Zealand based on these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • O'Sullivan, Kimberley C. & Stanley, James & Fougere, Geoffrey & Howden-Chapman, Philippa, 2016. "Heating practices and self-disconnection among electricity prepayment meter consumers in New Zealand: A follow-up survey," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 139-147.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:41:y:2016:i:c:p:139-147
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2016.07.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Wagner, Oliver & Wiegand, Julia, 2018. "Prepayment metering: Household experiences in Germany," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 407-414.
    2. Rabindra Nepal, Muhammad Indra al Irsyad, and Tooraj Jamasb, 2021. "Sectoral Electricity Demand and Direct Rebound Effects in New Zealand," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 4).
    3. Shorter, Caroline & Crane, Julian & Barnes, Phillipa & Kang, Janice & Honeywill, Claire & Robertson, Oliver & O'Sullivan, Kimberley & Telfar-Barnard, Lucy & Pierse, Nevil & Howden-Chapman, Philippa, 2022. "The cost of achieving healthy temperatures in children's bedrooms: Evidence from New Zealand," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    4. Beyene, Abebe D. & Jeuland, Marc & Sebsibie, Samuel & Hassen, Sied & Mekonnen, Alemu & Meles, Tensay H. & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K. & Klug, Thomas, 2022. "Pre-paid meters and household electricity use behaviors: Evidence from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    5. Rocha, Marta & Baddeley, Michelle & Pollitt, Michael & Weeks, Melvyn, 2019. "Addressing self-disconnection among prepayment energy consumers: A behavioural approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 273-286.
    6. Elinor Chisholm & Kimberley O’Sullivan, 2017. "Using Twitter to Explore (un)Healthy Housing: Learning from the #Characterbuildings Campaign in New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, November.

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