Deakin University and Yarra Ranges Council are working together on a research project to learn how to support parents to reduce household energy usage.

Families in Yarra Ranges have told us that energy consumption is a major concern, particularly in households with children, which use more energy than the average household. Did you know that families with adolescent children are the highest energy consumers?

In 2023, Deakin held two in-person focus groups in the Yarra Ranges to understand parents' attitudes and experiences around household energy use. Building on this feedback, Deakin conducted a nationwide survey to gather insights on parents' views on energy usage.

The next part of this research aims to learn how to best engage families in the Yarra Ranges in household energy reduction. Yarra Ranges Council supported Deakin by inviting local parents to participate in this six week study. Alongside data from the focus groups and survey, this information will help inform new strategies to support families in reducing household energy use.

This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: 2025/HE000028)

After holding the first round of this six weeks study in July 2025, we opened this up for another round of parents to join them, to commit to reducing energy usage, recording electricity meter readings three times over the six weeks study and complete three questionnaires.

Thank you to both rounds of parents for participating in these studies and for committing to reducing their electricity.