How energy efficient is it? Making energy efficiency visible in property advertising: a content analysis of one million Australian residential listings

Abstract

Residential energy efficiency plays a critical role in supporting the energy transition towards net zero. Policies aimed at the disclosure of residential energy efficiency information at the time of sale and/or lease often focus on the disclosure of home energy ratings and/or energy performance certificates. However, to date, less attention has been paid to how information about energy efficiency features is communicated to consumers in property advertising, despite information disseminated through digital property platforms having the potential to impact consumers' decision-making. To address this gap, this study conducted the first nationwide evaluation of how energy efficiency features are communicated in online property listings in Australia. The study dataset included over 1 million residential listings advertised for sale and/or lease in Australia from January to December 2023. Quantitative text analysis was applied to investigate the prevalence, terminology and mechanisms used to disclose information for seven residential energy efficiency features. The study found that information about energy efficiency features is underreported and often imperfect within Australian online property listings. To improve the disclosure of energy efficiency information in digital property advertising, it is critical to develop a data dictionary with standardised energy efficiency terminology as well as to utilise choice architecture mechanisms such as property data attribute lists. The use of those strategies will enhance how energy efficiency information is communicated through property advertising, increase the visibility of residential energy efficiency information across the building supply chain and better support residential energy efficiency disclosure initiatives.