Public beliefs, behaviors and preferences about energy: A Maryland statewide survey, fall 2014

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Public Beliefs, Behaviors &
Preferences about Energy
A Maryland Statewide Survey | Fall 2014

Investigators:
Karen Akerlof, PhD
Edward W. Maibach, MPH, PhD
George Mason University
Center for Climate Change Communication
4400 University Dr., MS 6A8
Fairfax, VA 22030
kakerlof@gmu.edu, (703) 993-6667
emaibach@gmu.edu, (703) 993-1587
This survey was funded by the Town Creek Foundation of Easton, MD. We thank the
Foundation and Executive Director Stuart Clarke for their support. We are also indebted to the
following for their efforts on behalf of this project: Clifford Mitchell and Crystal Romeo
Upperman at Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene partnered with the authors
in fielding the mail survey with Maryland residents and are co-authors on the survey report
focused on public health; and members of the Climate Communication Consortium of Maryland
(climatemaryland.org) assisted in the development of the survey.
The research was made possible by the expertise and hard work of many individuals, including
a team of students at George Mason University. Ken Adams and Charles Coats provided
invaluable help in coordinating the survey’s fielding. They – with additional assistance provided
by Mason undergraduate and graduate students Aiya Al-Beyati, Refka Al-Beyati, Natasha S.
Taliferro, Rebecca Lloyd, Deanna Kirby, Stacy Nelson, Roxana Kazemi, Claudia Harris, Kelly
Hayden, Patrick Greenwalt, Brittany Grutter, Andy Sachs, Vera Solovyeva, Dhara Patel, Elloise L.
Lotoc, Danielle Kirby, Suzanne Hewitt, Aileen S. Dierig and Sean Kelley – assembled the mailings
over a series of long weekends. Paul Weiss from Emory University provided statistical support
for the weights. Any errors are those of the authors.
Credits, cover photo:
Photo from LL28 Photography from Maryland Department of the Environment at
climatechange.maryland.gov.
Suggested citation:
Akerlof, K., Maibach, E. W., & Boules, C. (2014). Public beliefs, behaviors and preferences about
energy: A Maryland statewide survey, fall 2014. Fairfax, VA: Center for Climate Change
Communication, George Mason University.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 1
1. Marylanders want the state to use more renewable energy for electricity and less coal ......... 5
Solar and wind are the most favored renewable sources for development ............................. 5
Desire for more natural gas use is split by whether it is “fracked” in Maryland ....................... 6
The fuels used for electricity remain confusing to many, but oil and coal are less preferred .. 8
A majority support hydroelectric, Maryland’s largest single source of renewable energy ....... 8
Perceptions of nuclear power are fairly consistent across the state ......................................... 9
A third of residents don’t have an opinion on renewable biomass for electrical generation ... 9
2. A majority of residents want to buy renewable electricity ...................................................... 10
3. Majorities support requiring suppliers to provide a percentage of electrical energy from
renewables ............................................................................................................................... 12
4. Marylanders understand the impact of space heating on energy bills, but not water
heating ...................................................................................................................................... 13
5. Most Marylanders have taken energy conservation actions ................................................... 14
6. State residents demonstrate strong support for rebates for energy efficiency purchases, but
less enthusiasm for energy audits ............................................................................................ 15
7. Study methodology ................................................................................................................... 17
Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 20
Data tables .................................................................................................................... 22
Sample demographics ................................................................................................... 35

1 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Executive Summary
In 2008, the state of Maryland adopted some of the most aggressive targets in the nation for
reducing energy use – a 15% cut in per capita energy consumption and peak demand by 2015.
Additionally, 40 percent of the reductions that the state is making in its climate change-causing
gases will be in the ways that Maryland uses and produces energy.
1
The state is pursuing a
number of strategies to achieve these goals, including financially incentivizing energy efficiency
improvements for Marylanders at home and at work, promoting the development of solar and
offshore wind energy in the state, and mandating 20% of electricity in the state be generated
from renewables by 2022.
While the majority of energy used in the state is by commercial businesses and industry,
residential use still accounts for more than 40%.
2
Marylanders pay on average $129 a month
for electricity, compared to $107 nationally.
3
Over the course of a year, these bills for
electricity alone can add up to more than $1,500, and much higher for many households.
Through Maryland’s EmPOWER program, the state works with utilities to offer rebates for
energy efficiency improvements to reduce household – and commercial and industrial – energy
use and drive Marylanders’ electricity costs down.
4
Marylanders can also exercise choice in the
types of energy that they use. In each region of the state, residents can choose between
electricity suppliers with varying contract lengths and fees, and options for purchasing differing
percentages of renewable energy – some as high as 100%.
5
Last spring, George Mason University partnered with the Maryland Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene on the first survey of climate change, energy and public health in the state. The
survey included questions on Marylanders’ understanding of the sources of electrical energy
used in the state, energy efficiency and conservation behaviors, and policy preferences. In
2014, we repeated some of the questions and added new ones, including a number on energy
audits and renewable energy. This report is one of four that will be released from the 2014
survey; other reports highlight attitudes, behaviors and policy preferences on public health and
climate change, climate adaptation and sea level rise, and climate change generally.
1
Maryland Energy Administration. (2013). Year in Review 2013. Annapolis, MD: MEA. Available at
http://energy.maryland.gov/documents/MEA_YearInReview_2013_FINAL_PrintPagination_11x17.pdf
2
Maryland Energy Administration. (2013). Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan: EmPOWER Maryland and
the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Annapolis, MD: MEA. Available at
http://energy.maryland.gov/documents/EmPOWERMDandtheRegionalGreenhouseGasInitiative.pdf
3
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2013). Electric sales, revenue, and average price [2012 data].
Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Energy. Available at http://www.eia.gov/electricity/sales_revenue_price/
4
These include lighting and appliance rebates for homeowners, and home energy assessments and 50% rebates
for energy improvements like insulation and air sealing. See more about the EmPOWER program at
http://energy.maryland.gov/facts/empower.html
5
See Maryland Office of People’s Counsel electricity price comparison by service area at
http://www.opc.state.md.us/consumercorner/RetailSuppliers.aspx

2 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Key findings from this report include:
Marylanders want the state to use more renewable energy.
 A large majority of Marylanders say that they would like the state to use more renewable
fuel sources to generate electricity. The sources of renewable electricity most favored by
Marylanders for further development are solar (78%), and offshore and land-based wind
(each 69%).
 Support for increased use of renewable fuels for electricity generation rose between 2013
and 2014, especially for solar (9 percentage points) and wind (offshore, 10 percentage
points; land-based, 7 percentage points).
Half of Maryland’s residents say the state should use less coal.
 Coal is the fuel source that Marylanders would most like to be used less for electrical
energy generation (somewhat less/much less, 50%), after petroleum (52%). (Coal is one of
the predominant sources of electrical power in the state, whereas the petroleum is not
widely used for electrical generation.)
A majority of Maryland’s residents want to buy renewable electricity.
 A majority in the state (54%) would be willing to pay more each month – ranging from $1
more, to over $30 more – to purchase 100% renewable energy from wind or solar. More
than a quarter of Marylanders – 28% – would be willing to pay $11 a month or more, on
top of their current energy bill, for this service.
Majorities support requiring a percentage of electrical energy to come from renewables.
 As was the case in 2013, there is strong support for the current state mandate that, by
2022, 20% of the electricity in the state must be generated from renewables
(somewhat/strongly support, 2013, 75%; 2014, 73%); this support is consistently high
across the state (Western, 66%; Central, 74%; Southern, 74%; Eastern, 69%). A majority in
the state also supports increasing the renewable energy mandate to 40% by 2025; 65%
either somewhat or strongly support this expanded requirement for suppliers.
Desire for more natural gas use is split by whether it is “fracked” in Maryland.
 In 2013, while 41% of residents preferred using more natural gas for electrical generation
over the next several years, only 33% preferred to use more natural gas if extracted by
hydraulic fracturing in Maryland. The gap between these two preferences became even
larger this year with almost half – 49% – saying they would like to see more natural gas
used, but only 28% saying the same if it comes from “fracking” within the state – a 20
percentage point difference. (No natural gas is currently being extracted in Maryland

3 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
using hydraulic fracturing. These questions are posed in the context of the next several
years.)
State residents demonstrate strong support for rebates for energy efficiency purchases, but
less enthusiasm for energy audits
 Expanding rebates to help people purchase energy-efficient lighting and appliances is one
of Maryland’s most popular climate and energy policies, with 82% support.
 Few residents say that they have had an energy audit in the last five years (15%) and even
fewer (10%) say that they would be willing to pay $100 for an energy audit in the
upcoming year.
 Approximately 1 out of 4 people cited cost concerns – cost of energy efficient retrofits
(28%), and cost of the audit (27%) – and approximately 1 in 5 people cited other barriers
including not knowing what an energy audit is (18%), not knowing how to get an energy
audit (17%), and not trusting energy audit contractors (17%).
Study methodology
The survey was mailed to 6,401 households in the state of Maryland, randomly selected from
within each of four regions of the state. (See Figure 1) We sampled at the regional level to
ensure the final data was generalizable to these distinctly different geographic and cultural
areas of the state, as well as to the state as a whole, weighting the data at both the state and
regional levels in accordance with U.S. Census population distributions. Households that
responded to the survey in 2013 were not re-contacted in 2014. The survey was fielded from
March 17 to June 10, 2014 with a response rate of 35%. The unweighted sample margin of error
is +/- 2 percentage points at the 95% confidence interval for the state and less than +/- 5
percentage points for each region. (See study methodology, p. 17). This report includes survey
data from 2013 as a basis for comparison; statistical comparisons between years were assessed
for significance. Survey reports from 2013 can be found at climatemaryland.org and include a
description of the sample and methodology. Both were consistent across years.

4 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Figure 1 | Four regions of the state were sampled in the survey
Western Region – Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties; Central Region – Baltimore, Carroll,
Cecil, Harford, Howard, Montgomery counties and Baltimore City; Southern Region – Anne Arundel, Calvert,
Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties; Eastern Region – Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen
Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

5 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
1. Marylanders want the state to use more renewable energy
for electricity and less coal
Most of Maryland’s electricity is generated by coal-fired plants (44%) and nuclear power (40%)
with smaller percentages fueled by natural gas (8%), hydroelectric (4%), wind (0.9%), petroleum
(0.5%), wood and other biomass (1.5%), and other sources (0.9%).
6
Space heating is the single
largest driver of energy usage for most households, 45%.
7
The next largest category of
household energy usage is home water heating (18%). Marylanders heat their homes a variety
of ways – using natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, or even renewable
energy sources such as geothermal and solar – but most use either natural gas or electricity.
8
We focus in the survey on electricity use because even Marylanders who rely on sources other
than electricity for heating, use electricity for lighting, electronics, space cooling, and
appliances. Additionally, Marylanders can relatively easily make changes in the types of energy
that they purchase from their energy supplier by calling their provider and selecting a plan that
fits their preferences, such as for wind or solar, whereas natural gas and other means of
household heating can be more difficult to change as they require a retrofit of the home’s
system.
Solar and wind are the most favored renewable sources for development
In 2014, as in 2013, a large majority of Marylanders say that they would like the state to use
more renewable fuel sources to generate electricity. The sources of renewable electricity most
favored by Marylanders for further development are solar (78%), followed by offshore and
land-based wind (each 69%, see Figure 2). The percentages of Marylanders who would like to
see increases in renewable fuels used for electricity generation rose between 2013 and 2014,
especially for solar (9 percentage points) and wind (offshore, 10 percentage points; land-based,
7 percentage points). (See Figure 3) There are few geographic differences between perceptions
of solar- and wind-based power. The Southern and Eastern regions are most supportive of
increased solar power (somewhat more/much more, 81% and 80% respectively), followed by
the Western and Central regions (72% and 76%). Land-based and offshore wind power are
supported about equally with little variance between regions (somewhat more/much more,
land-based/offshore, Western 64%/64%; Central, 69%/68%; Southern, 71%/71%; Eastern,
70%/73%). (See Table 1, Appendices, p. 22)
6
Maryland StateStat. (nd). 2013 electricity generation by source in Maryland. Annapolis, MD: StateStat. Available
at https://data.maryland.gov/goals/renewable-energy
7
U.S. Dept. of Energy. (2011). Residential sector: Buildings energy data book. Washington, DC: Building
Technologies Program, U.S. Dept. of Energy. Available at
http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/ChapterIntro2.aspx
8
Of survey respondents, 40% of households say that they use electricity, while 38% say that they use natural gas.
Smaller percentages report using heating oil (95), propone (6%), geothermal (0.4%), and solar (0.1%).

6 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Figure 2 | Marylanders most favor solar, and least favor oil and coal
Desire for more gas use is split by whether it is “fracked” in Maryland
In the survey we asked respondents both about their preferences for use over the next several
years of natural gas obtained through hydraulic fracturing in Maryland, and other sources of
natural gas. (No natural gas is currently extracted in Maryland through hydraulic fracturing.) In
2013, while 41% of residents preferred using more natural gas generally to fuel electricity
generation, only 33% preferred to use more natural gas if extracted in-state by “fracking.” The
gap between these two preferences became even larger this year with almost half – 49% –
saying they would like to see more natural gas used, but only 28% saying the same if it comes
from hydraulic facturing within the state – a 20 percentage point difference. (See Figure 2) The
difference was consistent across the state (Western, 18 percentage points; Central, 20

7 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Figure 3 | Marylanders say they want more solar, wind and hydroelectric energy
Figure 4 | Many say they want less coal and petroleum to generate their electricity

8 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
percentage points; Southern, 21 percentage points; Eastern, 19 percentage points). (See Table
1, Appendices, p. 22)
The fuels used for electricity remain confusing to many, but oil and coal are less preferred
Statewide, the fuel that Marylanders say they would like to see less of to generate electricity is
petroleum (52%), followed by coal (50%; see Figure 4). In the central, more urbanized region of
the state, residents are more likely to prefer less use of coal (somewhat less/much less, 54%)
than residents elsewhere in the state (Western, 38%; Southern, 45%; Eastern, 47%). (See Table
1, Appendices, p. 22)
As mentioned previously, oil is not one of the primary sources of fuel for electricity generation,
accounting for only 0.5% of electricity generated in 2013 in Maryland.
9
In 2013, we asked
Marylanders how much of the state’s electricity was generated by different fuel sources, and
found that almost half or more said that they just did not know (48-59%).
10
The belief that
petroleum was a large fuel source for electrical energy generation was the most predominant
misconception. In 2013, the largest sources of electrical energy were believed to come from
petroleum (23%), natural gas (22%), and coal (16%). The fact that Marylanders again in 2014
say they want much less petroleum used to generate power in the state suggests that this
misconception remains.
A majority support hydroelectric, Maryland’s largest single source of renewable energy
Hydroelectric power is the largest single source of renewable electrical energy currently
generated in Maryland – 4% of electrical power in 2013. Almost all of the state’s
hydroelectricity comes from the Conowingo dam on the Susquehanna River; another seven
small hydroelectric plants also provide power.
11
More than half of Marylanders say they would
like to see more of the state’s electric power come from hydroelectric. (See Figure 3) At 53%,
this represents an increase of 4 percentage points from 2013. This support remains fairly
consistent across the state’s regions, with a slight dip in support in the Eastern region (Western,
54%; Central, 54%; Southern, 53%; Eastern, 46%). (See Table 1, Appendices, p. 22) The state is
not currently projecting any increases from hydroelectric power.
12
9
Maryland StateStat. (nd). 2013 electricity generation by source in Maryland. Annapolis, MD: StateStat. Available
at https://data.maryland.gov/goals/renewable-energy
10
Akerlof, K., & Maibach, E. W. (2013). Climate change & energy – Public attitudes, behaviors and policy support:
A survey of Maryland residents, summer 2013. Fairfax, VA: Center for Climate Change Communication, George
Mason University. Available at climatemaryland.org.
11
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2013). Profile analysis, Maryland. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of
Energy. Available at http://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.cfm?sid=MD
12
Maryland StateStat. (nd). In state renewable capacity: 20% goal. Annapolis, MD: StateStat. Available at
https://data.maryland.gov/goals/renewable-energy

9 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Perceptions of nuclear power are fairly consistent across the state
Last year we found that few residents understand how much nuclear power contributes to the
state’s generation of electricity. More than half – 59% – said that they did not know, and only
8% correctly assessed that the state gets a “large amount” of power from this source.
13
Almost
a third of Marylanders would like to see less electrical energy generated by nuclear power
(somewhat less/much less, 32%) while nearly one quarter (24%) would prefer to see more use
of nuclear. About the same percentages – just less than a quarter – say that the amount of
nuclear power generation should stay the same (21%), or that they don’t know (23%). (See
Figure 2) Perceptions of nuclear power are fairly consistent across the state, although in the
Southern region, where the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant resides, anti-nuclear sentiment is
lower than in other areas of the state. Just over a quarter of residents in the Southern region
prefer somewhat less or much less nuclear power over the next several years is (Southern, 27%;
Western, 39%; Central, 33%; and Eastern, 40%). (See Table 1, Appendices, p. 22)
A third of residents don’t have an opinion on renewable biomass for electrical generation
Both in 2013 and 2014, a sizeable quantity of Marylanders said that they do not know whether
they would prefer more or less electrical energy to come from wood fuel or switch grass, both
of which are forms of renewable biomass. However, fewer were unsure this year than
previously (don’t know, 2013, 34%; 2014, 34%). Statewide, a quarter say less energy should
come from these sources (25%). One in 5 people say they would like to see more of these
sources of energy used for electricity generation, an increase of 7 percentage points from 2013,
and another 21% say that the amount should remain the same as it is currently. (See Figure 3)
Support for these forms of biomass varies little across the state’s regions. (See Table 1,
Appendices, p. 22)
13
Ibid.

10 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
2. A majority of residents want to buy renewable electricity
Few Marylanders (6%) say that they are currently participating in a program with their
electricity suppliers to purchase renewable wind or solar energy (see Figure 5). The majority of
Marylanders (54%), however, say that they would be interested in participating in such a
program, even if it means more money on their energy bill every month (see Figure 6). People
in the Central and Southern portions of the state are more likely than people in the Western
and Eastern parts of the state to express a willingness to participate. (See Table 3, Appendices,
p. 27)
These residents indicate they would be willing to pay between $1 to over $30 more a month to
purchase renewable energy from wind or solar; more than a quarter of Marylanders – 28% –
would be willing to pay $11 a month or more on top of their current energy bill for this service.
Figure 5 | Most residents are not currently participating in clean energy programs

11 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Figure 6 | A majority would like to pay more each month to participate in renewable programs

12 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
3. Majorities support requiring suppliers to provide a
percentage of electrical energy from renewables
Maryland has mandated that 20% of electricity in the state be generated from renewables by
2022 as a part of the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
14
Additionally, some organizations in the
state are encouraging that the mandate be updated to 40% by 2025. We asked Marylanders
about their support for both. Majorities of Marylanders support both 20% of electricity in the
state be generated from renewables by 2022 (somewhat/strongly support, 73%), and the more
ambitious renewables standard of 40% by 2025 (65%, see Figure 7). Approximately half or more
of residents in all four regions of the state support this revised target (Western, 52%; Central,
66%; Southern, 71%; Eastern, 49%). (See Table 4, Appendices, p. 27)
Figure 7 | Majorities support renewable energy mandates for electricity suppliers of 20% or 40%
14
Maryland Energy Administration. (2013). Year in Review 2013. Annapolis, MD: MEA. Available at
http://energy.maryland.gov/documents/MEA_YearInReview_2013_FINAL_PrintPagination_11x17.pdf

13 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
4. Marylanders understand the impact of space heating on
energy bills, but not water heating
For Marylanders to make informed decisions about their home energy use, it is helpful if they
understand what aspects of their home use the most energy and contribute the most to their
energy bills each month. On average, nationally, space heating accounts for the most energy
use (45%), followed by water heating (18%), and space cooling (9%).
15
We asked Marylanders
what aspects of their home energy use they thought contributed the most to their energy bills,
and found that the majority understand the large role that home heating and air conditioning
play (a large amount, home heating, 80%; air conditioning, 77%), but fewer perceive heating
water as also having a sizeable impact on their bills (33%) even though it accounts for twice as
much energy used as air conditioning. (See Figure 8) This pattern of responses remains the
same for all regions of the state. (See Table 5, Appendices, p. 28)
Marylanders are more likely to understand that computers and other electronics, and lighting,
account for less energy use in their homes. Yet approximately 1 in 5 Marylanders still say that
they think computers and electronics, and lighting, contribute a large amount to their energy
bills (18% and 22%, respectively), even as on average nationally they account for 5% and 6% of
energy use.
16
(See Figure 8)
Figure 8 | Most understand that heating and air conditioning are a large cause of higher bills
15
U.S. Dept. of Energy. (2011). Residential sector: Buildings energy data book. Washington, DC: Building
Technologies Program, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, U.S. Dept. of Energy. Available at
http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/ChapterIntro2.aspx
16
Ibid.

14 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
5. Most Marylanders have taken energy conservation actions
In conserving electricity, about half or more Marylanders say that they or prior residents have
taken actions that reduce their home’s heat loss and conserve energy used to heat the air and
water in their home. More than half of households report that either they or a prior owner
have sealed air leaks (57%), or purchased a programmable thermostat (51%). Almost half say
they have lowered the temperature on their water heater (44%), and about a third say they
have added insulation to their attic and walls (34%). (See Figure 9)
Less frequently installed in Marylanders’ homes are automatic switches that turn lights on or
off based on motion sensors, or “smart strips” that diminish phantom energy use by appliances
that are off, but still plugged in (15% and 22% of households, respectively). While lighting and
electronics account for smaller percentages of home energy use than space and water heating,
automated switches for lighting and electronics can reduce the need for people to remember to
turn lights off when they leave a room, or unplug appliances and electronics after use.
The more rural Eastern and Western regions of the state (64% and 61%, respectively) are more
likely than the Southern and Central regions (53% and 57% respectively) to say that they have
sealed their homes’ air leaks, or that it was done by a prior owner. Yet the Central and Southern
regions are more likely to have programmable thermostats than the Western and Eastern
regions (Central, 55%; Southern, 50%; Western, 47%; Eastern, 39%). (See Table 8, Appendices,
p. 30)
Figure 9 | “Smart strips” and motion-sensing light switches are not often used by households

15 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
6. Residents demonstrate high support for energy efficiency
rebates, but less enthusiasm for energy audits
Households can save between 5 to 30 percent on their energy bills by taking steps
recommended during a home energy audit to save energy.
17
As a component of the EmPOWER
program with state utilities, Marylanders are eligible for $100 home energy audits, or even free
audits for those with low household income. They are also eligible for rebates for home and
business energy efficiency upgrades. Expanding rebates to help people purchase
energy-efficient lighting and appliances is one of Maryland’s most popular climate and energy
policies, with 82% support. This support has been relatively consistent across 2013 and 2014.
(See Table 9, Appendices, p. 32)
We asked state residents a series of questions about home energy audits, including whether or
not they had had a recent audit, and whether they would be interested in having one
conducted in their home. Few residents say that they have had an energy audit in the last five
years (15%) and even fewer say that they would like to have an audit done in the upcoming
year (10%). (See Table 10, Appendices, p. 33 and Figure 10)
Approximately 1 out of 4 people cited cost concerns – cost of energy efficient retrofits (28%),
and cost of the audit (27%) – and approximately 1 in 5 people cited other barriers including not
knowing what an energy audit is (18%), not knowing how to get an energy audit (17%), and not
trusting energy audit contractors (17%). (See Figure 11) The Eastern and Western regions of the
state are least likely to say they have had an energy audit recently (75% and 63%, respectively;
Central, 59%; Southern, 55%)), and are also least likely to say they would be willing to pay for
one (67% and 76%, respectively; Central, 55%; Southern, 60%). (See Tables 10-11, Appendices,
p. 33)
17
U.S. Dept. of Energy. (2013). Home Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Energy Audits. Energy.gov, U.S. Dept. of
Energy: Washington, DC. Available at http://energy.gov/articles/energy-saver-101-infographic-home-energy-audits

16 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Figure 10 | Most are not willing to pay $100 for a home energy audit this year
Figure 11 | Many Marylanders say that energy audit and retrofit costs are prohibitive

17 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
7. Study methodology
This study was conducted by George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change
Communication in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to
explore Marylanders’ views on public health, energy and the environment. The survey
instrument was developed at George Mason University, partially based on questions used in
the Climate Change in the American Mind national surveys run by the Yale Project on Climate
Change Communication (http://environment.yale.edu/ climate-communication/) and George
Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication (http://climatechange
communication.org/). The mail survey consisted of 50 questions, and took approximately 20
minutes to complete.
For reporting purposes, the data has been broken into four separate documents on
Marylanders’ attitudes, behaviors and policy preferences regarding public health and climate
change, climate adaptation and sea-level rise, energy, and climate change generally.
The unweighted sample margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points at the 95% confidence
interval for the state and less than +/- 5 percentage points for each region. (See Table 1)
Sampling design; fielding
The survey was mailed to 6,401 households in the state of Maryland, randomly selected from
within each of four regions of the state from Survey Sampling International household address
databases, based primarily on U.S. Postal Service delivery route information. We sampled at the
regional level to ensure the final data was generalizable to these distinctly different geographic
and cultural areas of the state, as well as the state as a whole. The sample size for the Central
region of the state was higher relative to the other three regions because it accounts for more
than half of the state’s population (see Table 1). Households that responded to the survey in
2013 were not re-contacted in 2014.
The survey was fielded from March 17 to June 10, 2014. Each household was sent up to four
mailings: an announcement letter introducing the survey (March 17), a copy of the survey with
a $2 bill as a thank you (March 24), a reminder postcard (April 7), and a follow-up survey (April
22). (As a point of comparison, the 2013 survey was fielded from March 28 to June 4.
Methodology for the 2013 survey is available within those reports at climatemaryland.org.) In
order to achieve randomization of respondents within each household, we requested that the
person with the most recent birthday complete the survey. Households that completed and
returned the survey were taken off of subsequent mailing lists.

18 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Weighting
The data tables report percentages for the state and each region. State data were weighted for
regional representation, gender, age, and education level based on 3-year American
Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau, following the same procedure as in 2013.
Each region’s data were also weighted for the same demographic variables. Base unweighted
sample sizes for each question are reported in addition to the weighted percentages.
Respondents who did not provide regional, gender, age or education level data were dropped
from the data set. This lowered the number of respondents by 201 cases. (The overall response
rate for the study before those cases were dropped was 38%.) Please see the demographics
section of the appendix for more information on the characteristics of the survey sample pre-
and post-weighting.
Institutional Review Board
The study was reviewed by Institutional Review Boards for both George Mason University
(Protocol #8508) and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Protocol #13-04).

19 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Table 1 | Regional samples, response rates and margin of error
Region
Counties
Initial
sample
Refusals
Undeliverable
addresses
Number of
respondents*
Response
rate
Margin of
error
Western
Allegany,
Frederick,
Garrett,
Washington
1,467
14
107
495
36%
+/- 4.40
% points
Central
Baltimore,
Carroll, Cecil,
Harford,
Howard,
Montgomery,
Baltimore City
2,000
16
130
629
33%
+/- 3.91
% points
Southern
Anne Arundel,
Calvert,
Charles,
Prince
George's,
St. Mary's
1,467
11
85
435
31%
+/- 4.70
% points
Eastern
Caroline,
Dorchester,
Kent, Queen
Anne's,
Somerset,
Talbot,
Wicomico,
Worcester
1,467
18
190
476
37%
+/- 4.49
% points
State
All counties
6,401
70
512
2,035
35%
+/- 2.2
% points

20 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Appendices
– Data tables
– Sample demographics

21 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
The following tables provide data at the state and regional level for each of the questions
included in this survey report. “Unweighted n” refers to the number of people who responded
to each question. The samples were weighted to better approximate U.S. Census data on state
population distributions. More information can be found in the study methodology section. The
counties included in each region are listed below.
Region
Counties
Western
Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties
Central
Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Montgomery counties and Baltimore City
Southern
Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties
Eastern
Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties
State
All counties

22 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Data tables | Electrical energy fuel preferences
Table 1 | Residents’ preferred sources of electrical energy
The next questions address the energy choices we make as a state and in our own homes. Over the next
several years, do you think Maryland should use less, more, or about the same amount of each of these
sources of electrical energy?
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Coal
Much less
27.0%
17.0%
32.0%
21.4%
20.3%
Somewhat less
23.1%
21.0%
22.0%
23.7%
27.0%
Same amount
18.5%
24.0%
19.8%
15.0%
22.2%
Somewhat more
7.1%
12.0%
5.6%
8.5%
8.3%
Much more
4.6%
12.3%
2.6%
5.1%
6.1%
Don’t know
19.8%
13.7%
17.9%
26.3%
16.0%
Unweighted n
1992
487
615
425
465
Petroleum (oil)
Much less
21.2%
20.2%
22.1%
19.9%
15.5%
Somewhat less
30.3%
27.9%
29.3%
34.1%
34.5%
Same amount
22.5%
28.2%
21.8%
19.8%
27.8%
Somewhat more
6.0%
5.6%
6.6%
5.5%
6.7%
Much more
3.2%
4.9%
2.7%
3.3%
2.9%
Don’t know
16.8%
13.1%
17.6%
17.3%
12.5%
Unweighted n
1976
482
609
423
462
Natural gas extracted by
hydraulic fracturing
(“fracking”) in Maryland
Much less
21.5%
24.5%
23.3%
17.0%
19.1%
Somewhat less
11.2%
11.3%
11.6%
9.9%
13.3%
Same amount
16.2%
16.2%
16.3%
14.8%
17.8%
Somewhat more
14.8%
17.8%
14.1%
15.0%
18.2%
Much more
13.6%
13.8%
13.6%
14.3%
15.6%
Don’t know
22.6%
16.4%
21.0%
29.0%
16.0%
Unweighted n
1996
483
620
425
468
Other sources of natural gas
Much less
5.0%
9.3%
5.7%
2.1%
3.1%
Somewhat less
7.4%
6.9%
7.2%
7.6%
9.9%
Same amount
19.2%
17.6%
20.6%
15.3%
18.8%
Somewhat more
25.9%
28.0%
24.0%
27.9%
32.4%
Much more
22.6%
21.5%
24.0%
22.2%
20.0%
Don’t know
19.9%
16.8%
18.5%
25.0%
15.8%
Unweighted n
1975
476
609
425
465
Table 1 Continued>>

23 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Offshore wind
Much less
2.9%
2.7%
2.6%
2.8%
5.6%
Somewhat less
2.1%
3.2%
2.1%
1.5%
2.9%
Same amount
8.2%
13.8%
9.2%
4.8%
7.7%
Somewhat more
21.9%
20.5%
22.2%
19.8%
22.5%
Much more
46.8%
43.5%
45.8%
51.5%
50.4%
Don’t know
18.0%
16.3%
18.1%
19.5%
11.0%
Unweighted n
1987
482
614
422
469
Land-based wind
Much less
2.5%
3.9%
2.4%
1.9%
4.4%
Somewhat less
2.4%
3.4%
2.5%
1.8%
3.6%
Same amount
9.3%
14.7%
9.4%
6.5%
10.8%
Somewhat more
21.5%
16.9%
22.8%
19.5%
20.5%
Much more
47.2%
46.6%
46.2%
51.2%
49.1%
Don’t know
17.1%
14.5%
16.7%
19.1%
11.5%
Unweighted n
1987
483
610
425
469
Nuclear
Much less
19.6%
26.2%
18.4%
16.3%
26.8%
Somewhat less
12.7%
12.7%
14.1%
10.9%
12.8%
Same amount
21.2%
19.4%
22.1%
18.9%
17.7%
Somewhat more
11.8%
10.1%
10.6%
14.6%
12.9%
Much more
11.7%
11.8%
12.7%
12.6%
11.3%
Don’t know
23.1%
19.8%
22.2%
26.6%
18.6%
Unweighted n
1975
479
606
424
466
Solar
Much less
1.8%
2.7%
1.8%
1.1%
2.9%
Somewhat less
.8%
1.3%
.6%
.6%
1.3%
Same amount
6.3%
10.8%
6.1%
4.3%
5.8%
Somewhat more
14.8%
13.2%
14.7%
13.0%
20.2%
Much more
62.7%
58.9%
61.4%
68.0%
59.8%
Don’t know
13.6%
13.1%
15.3%
13.0%
10.0%
Unweighted n
1995
483
616
428
468
Hydroelectric (including
dams)
Much less
2.4%
2.7%
1.8%
2.6%
5.3%
Somewhat less
3.3%
4.3%
3.4%
2.4%
4.6%
Same amount
20.0%
20.1%
19.7%
19.8%
24.7%
Somewhat more
20.9%
23.7%
20.7%
19.9%
20.2%
Much more
31.8%
30.7%
33.4%
32.7%
25.6%
Don’t know
21.6%
18.5%
21.0%
22.6%
19.6%
Unweighted n
1980
483
611
425
461
Table 1 Continued>>
Table 1 Continued>>

24 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Wood fuel or switchgrass
Much less
12.2%
9.7%
11.4%
14.8%
10.6%
Somewhat less
12.9%
14.4%
12.1%
14.8%
12.3%
Same amount
20.6%
26.5%
20.5%
16.8%
25.9%
Somewhat more
9.8%
13.2%
10.2%
8.2%
12.0%
Much more
10.4%
10.1%
11.0%
9.3%
11.5%
Don’t know
34.1%
26.1%
34.9%
36.0%
27.7%
Unweighted n
1994
484
615
428
467
Table 1 Continued>>

25 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Over the next several years, do you think Maryland should use less, more, or about the same amount of each of
these sources of electrical energy
2013
2014
∆
Coal
Much less
23.5%
27.0%
3.5%
Somewhat less
20.8%
23.1%
2.2%
Same amount
19.2%
18.5%
-0.7%
Somewhat more
8.3%
7.1%
-1.1%
Much more
3.8%
4.6%
0.8%
Don’t know
24.5%
19.8%
-4.7%
Unweighted n
2098
1992
Petroleum (oil)
Much less
22.9%
21.2%
-1.8%
Somewhat less
25.3%
30.3%
5.0%
Same amount
20.3%
22.5%
2.2%
Somewhat more
3.8%
6.0%
2.1%
Much more
2.7%
3.2%
0.6%
Don’t know
24.9%
16.8%
-8.1%
Unweighted n
2086
1976
Natural gas extracted by
hydraulic fracturing
(“fracking”) in Maryland
Much less
14.2%
21.5%
7.3%
Somewhat less
9.6%
11.2%
1.6%
Same amount
16.3%
16.2%
-0.1%
Somewhat more
18.4%
14.8%
-3.6%
Much more
14.5%
13.6%
-0.8%
Don’t know
27.0%
22.6%
-4.4%
Unweighted n
2092
1996
Other sources of natural gas
Much less
4.4%
5.0%
0.6%
Somewhat less
7.0%
7.4%
0.4%
Same amount
18.8%
19.2%
0.4%
Somewhat more
25.2%
25.9%
0.7%
Much more
15.9%
22.6%
6.7%
Don’t know
28.7%
19.9%
-8.8%
Unweighted n
2073
1975
Offshore wind
Much less
5.8%
2.9%
-2.9%
Somewhat less
2.0%
2.1%
0.1%
Same amount
7.1%
8.2%
1.1%
Somewhat more
26.1%
21.9%
-4.2%
Much more
32.9%
46.8%
13.9%
Don’t know
26.0%
18.0%
-8.0%
Unweighted n
2082
1987
Land-based wind
Much less
5.9%
2.5%
-3.3%
Somewhat less
2.4%
2.4%
0.0%
Same amount
7.9%
9.3%
1.4%
Somewhat more
25.6%
21.5%
-4.1%
Much more
35.9%
47.2%
11.3%
Don’t know
22.4%
17.1%
-5.3%
Unweighted n
2084
1987
Continued>>

26 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
2013
2014
∆
Nuclear
Much less
19.3%
19.6%
0.3%
Somewhat less
12.0%
12.7%
0.7%
Same amount
16.2%
21.2%
5.0%
Somewhat more
11.1%
11.8%
0.7%
Much more
9.5%
11.7%
2.2%
Don’t know
31.9%
23.1%
-8.8%
Unweighted n
2054
1975
Solar
Much less
2.7%
1.8%
-0.9%
Somewhat less
1.2%
0.8%
-0.4%
Same amount
7.3%
6.3%
-1.1%
Somewhat more
21.8%
14.8%
-7.0%
Much more
47.1%
62.7%
15.6%
Don’t know
19.9%
13.6%
-6.3%
Unweighted n
2095
1995
Hydroelectric (including
dams)
Much less
3.0%
2.4%
-0.6%
Somewhat less
2.6%
3.3%
0.7%
Same amount
19.4%
20.0%
0.6%
Somewhat more
20.8%
20.9%
0.1%
Much more
28.1%
31.8%
3.7%
Don’t know
26.0%
21.6%
-4.5%
Unweighted n
2088
1980
Wood fuel or switchgrass
Much less
16.4%
12.2%
-4.2%
Somewhat less
10.3%
12.9%
2.6%
Same amount
18.2%
20.6%
2.5%
Somewhat more
7.6%
9.8%
2.2%
Much more
5.4%
10.4%
5.0%
Don’t know
42.2%
34.1%
-8.1%
Unweighted n
2100
1994
Continued>>

27 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Data tables | Participation and interest in renewable energy programs
Table 2 | Current participation in renewable energy programs
Are you currently participating in a program with your electricity supplier to purchase renewable or “clean”
electricity from wind or solar from them? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Yes
5.6%
4.2%
6.2%
6.9%
3.6%
No
63.5%
69.4%
64.4%
58.5%
65.0%
Don’t know
22.5%
21.7%
20.5%
25.6%
24.6%
Not applicable
8.4%
4.8%
9.0%
9.1%
6.7%
Unweighted n
2015
492
623
428
472
Table 3 | Willingness to pay for renewable energy
How much more would you be willing to pay each month on your electricity bill to purchase 100% of your
electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Not willing to pay for this
35.9%
48.8%
33.6%
33.8%
45.7%
$1-$5
14.0%
11.6%
12.3%
19.0%
9.8%
$6-$10
11.6%
13.1%
13.8%
8.0%
8.0%
$11-$15
8.6%
4.5%
8.5%
8.5%
10.7%
$16-$20
9.7%
5.3%
10.6%
9.3%
10.9%
$21-$25
3.5%
3.5%
3.8%
3.4%
2.4%
$26-$30
3.1%
2.3%
3.6%
2.4%
1.3%
More than $30 a month
3.5%
3.8%
4.2%
2.5%
4.3%
Not applicable
10.1%
7.1%
9.6%
13.2%
6.8%
Unweighted n
2007
493
618
426
470
Table 4 | Support for state renewable energy standards
Maryland has begun implementing policies to promote new sources of energy and use energy more
efficiently. How much do you support or oppose this policy?
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Requiring that
Maryland’s electricity
suppliers provide 20% of
their total electricity
from renewable energy
sources by 2022 (such as
solar, wind, biomass,
landfill gas, and
hydroelectric power)
Strongly oppose
5.2%
11.7%
3.1%
7.1%
3.5%
Somewhat oppose
3.4%
8.3%
2.7%
3.2%
4.4%
Neither support nor
oppose
18.4%
13.7%
20.4%
15.5%
22.7%
Somewhat support
25.7%
24.0%
25.9%
26.3%
27.8%
Strongly support
47.3%
42.2%
48.0%
47.8%
41.5%
Unweighted n
1905
461
593
404
447

28 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
2013
2014
∆
Requiring that Maryland’s
electricity suppliers provide
20% of their total electricity
from renewable energy
sources by 2022 (such as
solar, wind, biomass, landfill
gas, and hydroelectric
power)
Strongly oppose
6.6%
5.2%
-1.4%
Somewhat oppose
3.7%
3.4%
-0.3%
Neither support nor
oppose
15.0%
18.4%
3.4%
Somewhat support
27.8%
25.7%
-2.1%
Strongly support
46.8%
47.3%
0.5%
Unweighted n
1973
1905
Maryland currently gets most of its electricity from the burning of coal, oil and gas. The state’s current plan is
to require electricity companies to provide 20% of their electricity from renewable energy sources like wind
and solar by 2022. How much do you support or oppose requiring electricity companies to increase their
renewable energy to 40% by 2025 instead? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Strongly oppose
7.7%
17.9%
5.3%
7.2%
11.4%
Somewhat oppose
6.6%
9.0%
6.8%
5.5%
10.9%
Neither support nor oppose
21.0%
21.6%
22.3%
16.3%
28.9%
Somewhat support
28.6%
21.4%
29.3%
30.0%
25.0%
Strongly support
36.1%
30.2%
36.4%
41.1%
23.9%
Unweighted n
2010
489
619
430
472

29 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Data tables | Perceptions, actions and context about home energy use
Table 5 | Perceptions of what uses the most home energy
In an average year, how much do you think each of the following contribute to your home energy bills?
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Lighting
None
4.0%
1.7%
5.0%
2.4%
3.2%
Small amount
34.2%
32.5%
35.8%
32.6%
39.7%
Medium amount
36.7%
46.1%
35.1%
34.0%
41.2%
Large amount
21.9%
15.7%
21.7%
27.3%
12.4%
Don’t know
3.2%
4.1%
2.4%
3.8%
3.5%
Unweighted n
1990
488
612
421
469
Water heating
None
2.4%
1.8%
2.2%
2.4%
2.0%
Small amount
16.6%
21.1%
16.0%
14.5%
23.0%
Medium amount
44.4%
46.0%
45.3%
42.4%
44.5%
Large amount
33.2%
30.1%
33.6%
37.7%
25.8%
Don’t know
3.3%
1.0%
2.9%
3.0%
4.6%
Unweighted n
1999
488
617
426
468
Computers and electronics
None
3.2%
4.9%
2.9%
3.6%
2.9%
Small amount
43.4%
47.3%
42.7%
42.5%
46.6%
Medium amount
32.9%
36.8%
34.1%
30.5%
37.1%
Large amount
18.1%
9.8%
18.4%
21.4%
8.0%
Don’t know
2.3%
1.1%
1.8%
1.9%
5.4%
Unweighted n
1989
484
613
426
466
Home heating
None
2.3%
1.6%
2.1%
2.2%
5.4%
Small amount
3.7%
8.0%
2.8%
2.8%
4.6%
Medium amount
12.2%
14.5%
12.6%
9.8%
13.4%
Large amount
80.4%
75.2%
81.5%
84.0%
74.4%
Don’t know
1.4%
.8%
1.1%
1.2%
2.2%
Unweighted n
2011
488
622
431
470
Air conditioning
None
1.1%
3.6%
.8%
.6%
1.5%
Small amount
4.2%
8.6%
3.9%
3.0%
5.0%
Medium amount
16.4%
27.9%
17.4%
10.2%
23.7%
Large amount
76.9%
57.5%
77.0%
85.1%
67.5%
Don’t know
1.4%
2.4%
.9%
1.2%
2.2%
Unweighted n
2010
488
620
430
472

30 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Table 6 | Home ownership or rental status
Do you rent or own your home? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Rent
29.9%
22.7%
31.3%
29.8%
27.7%
Own
67.7%
75.5%
66.8%
65.2%
69.3%
Other
2.4%
1.8%
1.9%
5.1%
3.0%
Unweighted n
2025
494
624
433
474
Table 7 | Type of home heating system fuel source
What type of fuel or energy source is used by your home’s heating system? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Natural gas
38.0%
28.9%
41.1%
41.1%
10.6%
Propane
5.9%
7.0%
6.1%
2.1%
18.8%
Heating oil
9.2%
17.0%
6.5%
10.4%
17.0%
Electricity
40.2%
40.0%
39.1%
40.1%
45.9%
Geothermal
0.4%
.4%
.3%
.4%
1.3%
Solar
0.1%
.3%
.2%
0.0%
.1%
Other
1.4%
3.0%
1.4%
.4%
3.5%
Don’t know
4.8%
3.3%
5.3%
5.6%
2.8%
Unweighted n
2028
494
626
433
475

31 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Table 8 | Household energy efficiency and conservation actions
Which of the following actions have you taken for your current home?
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Purchased a “smart” or
programmable thermostat
Yes
43.0%
39.4%
46.9%
40.4%
30.7%
No
36.2%
40.0%
32.9%
37.1%
51.9%
Done by a prior
owner
7.8%
7.3%
7.7%
9.4%
8.5%
Not applicable
12.9%
13.3%
12.5%
13.1%
8.9%
Unweighted n
1997
487
617
430
463
Sealed air leaks around
windows and doors
Yes
52.2%
59.0%
52.3%
47.2%
55.0%
No
31.5%
26.9%
31.4%
36.4%
28.7%
Done by a prior
owner
5.1%
2.4%
4.9%
6.1%
8.6%
Not applicable
11.2%
11.7%
11.4%
10.3%
7.8%
Unweighted n
2003
485
622
428
468
Added insulation to attic or
walls
Yes
26.8%
32.8%
27.5%
23.9%
31.2%
No
49.0%
47.3%
50.2%
48.6%
42.0%
Done by a prior
owner
7.2%
7.8%
6.0%
7.4%
16.2%
Not applicable
17.0%
12.0%
16.2%
20.2%
10.5%
Unweighted n
1993
490
613
427
463
Installed motion-sensor light
switches
Yes
12.4%
13.6%
10.7%
14.7%
12.2%
No
70.0%
71.6%
72.0%
67.6%
74.2%
Done by a prior
owner
2.5%
1.9%
2.8%
2.3%
.6%
Not applicable
15.1%
12.9%
14.5%
15.3%
13.0%
Unweighted n
1983
485
611
423
464
Lowered the temperature
on the water heater
Yes
42.7%
43.2%
43.3%
41.5%
48.9%
No
41.8%
47.8%
39.7%
43.5%
43.3%
Done by a prior
owner
1.7%
1.2%
2.0%
1.3%
1.5%
Not applicable
13.8%
7.8%
15.0%
13.7%
6.3%
Unweighted n
2007
492
621
427
467
Placed electronics and/or
appliances on a “smart
strip” that shuts off power
when they’re not in use
Yes
20.8%
18.4%
22.1%
19.1%
18.0%
No
67.7%
72.0%
65.9%
69.7%
70.3%
Done by a prior
owner
1.2%
.1%
1.8%
.6%
2.8%
Not applicable
10.3%
9.5%
10.2%
10.5%
8.8%
Unweighted n
1997
490
615
426
466

32 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Data tables | Energy efficiency rebates
Table 9 | Support for expanding rebate programs
Maryland has begun implementing policies to promote new sources of energy and use energy more
efficiently. How much do you support or oppose this policy?
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Expanding rebates to help
people purchase
energy-efficient lighting and
appliances
Strongly oppose
2.8%
3.3%
3.1%
2.9%
2.2%
Somewhat oppose
2.8%
5.1%
2.0%
3.4%
4.9%
Neither support nor
oppose
12.6%
18.1%
11.6%
12.5%
17.1%
Somewhat support
29.4%
33.6%
31.4%
24.1%
31.6%
Strongly support
52.4%
39.8%
51.9%
57.0%
44.2%
Unweighted n
1951
469
604
417
461
2013
2014
∆
Expanding rebates to help
people purchase
energy-efficient lighting and
appliances
Strongly oppose
3.6%
2.8%
-0.8%
Somewhat oppose
4.1%
2.8%
-1.3%
Neither support nor
oppose
12.4%
12.6%
0.2%
Somewhat support
23.6%
29.4%
5.9%
Strongly support
56.3%
52.4%
-4.0%
Unweighted n
2038
1951

33 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Data tables | Home energy audit participation and barriers
Table 10 | Audits of households performed in the past 5 years
Home energy audits are a way for homeowners to identify ways to make their homes more energy efficient,
and save money on their energy bills. Have you had a home energy audit in the past five years? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Yes
15.2%
17.8%
15.7%
16.2%
8.0%
No
59.1%
63.3%
58.6%
55.0%
74.7%
Don’t know
16.1%
12.6%
16.5%
17.4%
11.6%
Not applicable
9.6%
6.3%
9.1%
11.4%
5.7%
Unweighted n
2026
495
625
433
473
Table 11 | Willingness to pay $100 for a home energy audit
Would you be willing to pay $100 for a home energy audit this year? (Check ONE)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
Yes
10.1%
6.4%
10.9%
10.6%
10.2%
No
59.6%
76.1%
55.4%
60.1%
67.3%
Don’t know
17.1%
10.6%
18.8%
16.6%
14.7%
Not applicable
13.2%
7.0%
14.9%
12.7%
7.9%
Unweighted n
2018
493
622
431
472

34 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Table 12 | Barriers to obtaining a home energy audit
Which of the statements below are true for you? (Please check ALL THAT APPLY)
STATE
WESTERN
CENTRAL
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
I don’t know what a home
energy audit is
No
81.9%
85.6%
81.3%
83.0%
83.3%
Yes
18.1%
14.4%
18.7%
17.0%
16.7%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
I don’t know how to get a
home energy audit
No
83.2%
89.6%
83.0%
82.8%
82.2%
Yes
16.8%
10.4%
17.0%
17.2%
17.8%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
I’m too busy to get a home
energy audit
No
86.9%
88.7%
88.6%
82.6%
91.8%
Yes
13.1%
11.3%
11.4%
17.4%
8.2%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
I don’t trust the contractors
who do audits
No
82.8%
84.7%
81.1%
85.2%
84.6%
Yes
17.2%
15.3%
18.9%
14.8%
15.4%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
I can’t afford a home energy
audit
No
73.5%
67.9%
75.6%
73.4%
72.6%
Yes
26.5%
32.1%
24.4%
26.6%
27.4%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
I can’t afford energy
efficiency retrofits to my
home
No
72.3%
64.5%
75.3%
70.9%
68.9%
Yes
27.7%
35.5%
24.7%
29.1%
31.1%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
I’m not worried about
lowering my utility bill
No
86.1%
87.4%
83.4%
90.9%
78.3%
Yes
13.9%
12.6%
16.6%
9.1%
21.7%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476
None of the above
No
70.2%
73.7%
69.4%
67.9%
77.6%
Yes
29.8%
26.3%
30.6%
32.1%
22.4%
Unweighted n
2035
495
629
435
476

35 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Sample demographics
Region
STATE
unweighted sample n
STATE
weighted %
Western Region
495
8.4%
Central Region
629
55.4%
Southern Region
435
30.2%
Eastern Region
476
6.0%
Unweighted n
2035
Gender
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
Male
799
48.0%
50.0%
48.0%
49.0%
49.0%
Female
1236
52.0%
50.0%
52.0%
51.0%
51.0%
Unweighted n
2035
2035
495
629
435
476
Age
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
18 to 24 years
42
13.0%
11.8%
12.0%
14.0%
14.0%
25 to 34 years
223
17.5%
15.6%
18.0%
18.0%
14.0%
35 to 44 years
295
17.5%
17.8%
17.0%
18.0%
15.0%
45 to 54 years
392
20.0%
20.6%
20.0%
20.0%
18.5%
55 to 64 years
487
16.0%
16.1%
16.0%
15.5%
17.0%
65 to 74 years
355
9.0%
9.7%
9.0%
9.0%
12.0%
75 to 84 years
179
5.0%
5.9%
5.0%
4.0%
7.0%
85 years and over
62
2.0%
2.4%
3.0%
1.5%
2.5%
Unweighted n
2035
2035
495
629
435
476

36 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Number of people under 18 years of age currently living in the household
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
0
1102
55.5%
49.8%
55.2%
57.4%
60.8%
1
300
19.4%
22.2%
20.0%
17.3%
21.9%
2
245
16.1%
19.7%
15.3%
17.3%
11.3%
3
85
6.7%
5.7%
7.3%
5.9%
3.4%
4
22
1.2%
2.1%
.6%
1.7%
2.1%
5
7
0.6%
.5%
1.0%
.1%
.4%
6
2
0.2%
0.0%
.2%
.2%
0.0%
7
2
0.2%
0.0%
.4%
0.0%
0.0%
9
2
0.0%
0.0%
.0%
0.0%
.2%
Unweighted n
1767
1767
422
552
386
407
Education
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
Less than high school
43
11.0%
11.5%
11.0%
11.0%
13.0%
High school or GED
845
46.0%
53.5%
41.0%
41.0%
54.0%
Associate’s degree
175
6.0%
8.0%
6.0%
6.0%
7.0%
Bachelor’s degree
471
20.0%
16.0%
22.0%
22.0%
15.0%
Advanced degree beyond a
bachelor’s degree
501
17.0%
11.0%
20.0%
20.0%
11.0%
Unweighted n
2035
2035
495
629
435
476
Income
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
Less than $10,000
77
8.6%
5.2%
9.3%
8.7%
7.9%
$10,000 — $14,999
79
4.8%
8.4%
3.8%
5.3%
5.1%
$15,000 — $24,999
125
7.3%
8.8%
9.0%
3.0%
8.1%
$25,000 — $34,999
162
8.5%
7.8%
8.8%
7.9%
12.3%
$35,000 — $49,999
250
11.6%
15.1%
10.4%
11.4%
18.0%
$50,000 — $74,999
343
16.5%
18.1%
14.2%
17.8%
20.3%
$75,000 — $99,999
238
12.4%
10.3%
11.8%
14.8%
11.8%
$100,000 — $149,999
338
15.9%
18.6%
18.0%
13.6%
10.4%
$150,000 or more
295
14.4%
7.7%
14.7%
17.6%
6.0%
Unweighted n
1907
1907
458
595
417
437

37 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey
Political ideology
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
Very conservative
182
6.5%
10.8%
4.3%
8.1%
11.1%
Somewhat conservative
418
18.9%
21.9%
18.2%
18.0%
19.7%
Moderate, middle of the road
844
46.8%
46.8%
46.0%
48.2%
50.8%
Somewhat liberal
380
20.8%
13.1%
23.5%
19.8%
13.0%
Very liberal
168
7.1%
7.5%
8.0%
6.0%
5.3%
Unweighted n
1992
1992
485
612
428
467
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
Hispanic or Latino
53
3.7%
1.4%
3.8%
3.8%
2.3%
Not Hispanic or Latino
1907
96.3%
98.6%
96.2%
96.2%
97.7%
Unweighted n
1960
1960
472
600
424
464
Race
STATE
unweighted
sample n
STATE
weighted
%
WESTERN
weighted
%
CENTRAL
weighted
%
SOUTHERN
weighted
%
EASTERN
weighted
%
White
1548
67.1%
91.0%
68.9%
55.7%
83.6%
Black or African American
303
21.0%
3.6%
19.4%
30.1%
9.5%
Asian
44
3.4%
.9%
4.7%
3.5%
0.0%
American Indian or Alaska
Native
4
0.1%
0.0%
.1%
.1%
.3%
Native Hawaiian or other
Pacific Islander
2
0.1%
0.0%
.2%
0.0%
0.0%
Other
44
2.8%
2.0%
1.7%
4.3%
.9%
Two or more races
57
5.5%
2.4%
4.9%
6.2%
5.7%
Unweighted n
2002
2002
487
614
428
473

38 | Public Beliefs, Behaviors and Preferences about Energy, 2014 | A Maryland Statewide Survey