Good advice need not be expensive : On personalised energy advising in an increasingly digitised society

”Now good advice is beyond all price”, as Swedes say in a crisis. In this report, whose headline links to the saying, the development and future of Swedish energy advising function are treated. Research shows that in an increasingly digitized society, energy advice needs to be developed to better reach the target groups - households, small businesses and organizations.Digital services offer many opportunities, but the important personal contact with the energy adviser cannot be fully replaced. With the help of focus groups, interviews and conversations with energy advisors, homeowners and individual experts, it has been found that the personally performed advisory service is in demand, urgent and successful when changing the heating system and when major reconstruction or new construction is relevant. Trying ideas and solutions, preferably in the home environment before a rebuilding, is appreciated advice. In the conversation, where not only technical details and profitability are discussed, everyone in the household can be engaged. The energy advice service can be more successful, but then a greater municipal commitment and a clearer interaction with other government instruments is required. Sustainable advice can all get in Sweden today and the good advice is free! With the help of these, crises may be avoided… Are Kjeang is senior lecturer in Environmental and Energy Systems at Karlstad University. He is a specialist in energy efficiency in buildings and has extensive experience from working as an energy adviser in a Swedish municipality. This report is a translated and slightly processed version of his licentiate thesis Goda råd är inte dyra! Om personlig energirådgivning i ett alltmer digitaliserat samhälle (2018)