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

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.