Estimating energy conservation patterns of Greek households

This paper develops an empirical model to investigate the main determinants of household energy conservation patterns in Greece employing cross-section data. In the empirical analysis, household energy-conserving choices models are employed, using a discrete and a latent trait variable respectively as a dependent variable. The results show that socio-economic variables such as consumers’ income and family size are suitable to explain differences towards energy conservation preferences. In addition, the results suggest that electricity expenditures and age of the respondent are negatively associated with the number of energy-conserving actions that a consumer is willing to adopt. Finally, other variables such as environmental information feedback and consciousness of energy problems are characteristics of the energy-saver consumer. By evaluating consumer's decision-making process with regards to energy conservation measures, we are able to formulate and propose an effective energy conservation framework for Greece. An energy policy framework is among the main prerequisites not only to achieve sustainable development but also to maintain consumers’ quality of life.     

Responses to changing energy conditions among Massachusetts households

Survey data on 478 residential electricity consumers in Massachusetts are used to examine the effects of economic, demographic, structural, and attitudinal variables on energy-saving activity disaggregated into behaviorally distinct types involving energy efficiency improvements or curtailments. Home ownership, household energy bills, and personal norms for conservation all influence total energy savings, but different patterns of influence operate for different classes of behavior. Structural factors, particularly home ownership, were most important in influencing major efficiency improvements, while personal norms became increasingly important with less structurally constrained types of behavior, such as temperature settings. High and rising fuel prices indirectly produced some general energy savings, but the only classes of behavior to be directly affected were low-cost efficiency improvement and sacrifices of non-energy amenities. Some implications are discussed.     

Household energy conservation and locus of control: A research note

Five hypotheses were tested to investigate whether personality is a factor in household energy conservation beliefs and actions. Locus of control, the personality measure which distinguishes between individuals designated as internals or externals, was assessed in a survey of 383 households in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The results indicate that only one hypothesis—obtaining information on energy issues from the media is a positive function of internality—reached significance, and one other hypothesis tended toward significance. We conclude that locus of control is a limited predictor of household energy conservation beliefs and actions, and recommend that energy conservation programme planners consider persuading externals to behave more internally.     

Residential energy use: Analysis of disaggregate data

The Energy Information Administration recently published data they collected from the National Interim Energy Consumption Survey (NIECS). NIECS includes detailed information on 4081 individual households: demographic characteristics, energy-related features of the structure, heating equipment and appliances therein, recent conservation actions taken by the household, and fuel consumption and costs for the April 1978–March 1979 one-year period. This data set provides a new and valuable resource for analysis. We summarized and analysed the NIECS data on household energy consumption — total energy use, electricity use, and use of the primary space heating fuel. The regression equations constructed explain roughly half the variation in energy use among households. These equations contain 10 or fewer independent variables, the most important of which are fuel price, year house was built, floor area, and heating degree days.     

The direct and indirect household energy requirements in the Republic of Korea from 1980 to 2000—An input–output analysis

As energy conservation can be realized through changes in the composition of goods and services consumed, there is a need to assess indirect and total household energy requirements. The Korean household sector was responsible for about 52% of the national primary energy requirement in the period from 1980 to 2000. Of this total, more than 60% of household energy requirement was indirect. Thus, not only direct but also indirect household energy requirement should be the target of energy conservation policies. Electricity became the main fuel in household energy use in 2000. Households consume more and more electricity intensive goods and services, a sign of increasing living standards. Increases in household consumption expenditure were responsible for a relatively high growth of energy consumption. Switching to consumption of less energy intensive products and decrease in energy intensities of products in 1990s contributed substantially to reduce the increase in the total household energy requirement. A future Korean study should apply a hybrid method as to reduce errors occurred by using uniform (average) prices in constructing energy input–output tables and as to make energy intensities of different years more comparable.     

Promoting household energy conservation

It is commonly assumed that households must change their behaviour to reduce the problems caused by increasing levels of fossil energy use. Strategies for behaviour change will be more effective if they target the most important causes of the behaviour in question. Therefore, this paper first discusses the factors influencing household energy use. Three barriers to fossil fuel energy conservation are discussed: insufficient knowledge of effective ways to reduce household energy use, the low priority and high costs of energy savings, and the lack of feasible alternatives. Next, the paper elaborates on the effectiveness and acceptability of strategies aimed to promote household energy savings. Informational strategies aimed at changing individuals’ knowledge, perceptions, cognitions, motivations and norms, as well as structural strategies aimed at changing the context in which decisions are made, are discussed. This paper focuses on the psychological literature on household energy conservation, which mostly examined the effects of informational strategies. Finally, this paper lists important topics for future research.     

An econometric analysis of residential expenditures on energy conservation and renewable energy sources

Economic theory suggests that residential expenditures on energy conservation and renewable energy sources will be determined by the ability of households to purchase conservation inputs, their incentive to invest in conserving energy, the energy efficiency of existing homes and miscellaneous factors such as climate and age of the home-owner. Empirical analyses of energy-related expenditures reported on individual income tax returns confirm the importance of household income, energy price increases and climate conditions in determining energy conservation investments. Income tax credits are also found to have stimulated residential spending on conservation and renewable energy.     

Behavioural,physical and socio-economic factors in household cooling energy consumption

As global warming continues, the current trend implies that the uptake of air conditioning in the residential sector will go up, thus potentially increasing domestic cooling energy consumption. In this context, this paper investigates the significance of behavioural, physical and socio-economic parameters on cooling energy in order to improve energy efficiency in residential buildings. It demonstrates that such factors exert a significant indirect as well as direct influence on energy use, showing that it is particularly important to understand indirect relationships. An initial study of direct factors affecting cooling energy reveals that occupant behaviour is the most significant issue (related to choices about how often and where air conditioning is used). This is broadly confirmed by path analysis, although climate is seen to be the single most significant parameter, followed by behavioural issues, key physical parameters (e.g. air conditioning type), and finally socio-economic aspects (e.g. household income).     

An analysis of monthly household energy consumption among single-family residences in Texas, 2010

Demographic, socioeconomic, and housing characteristics influence variation in household energy consumption. By combining household-level utility, public, and proprietary data, we examine predictors of household energy consumption in a Texas urban area. Using quantile regression, this analysis assesses the relationship between energy consumption and predictors at the middle and both ends of the distribution (10th and 90th percentiles). Results indicate potential opportunities to lower consumption among the highest energy-consuming households including those with pools, with non-central cooling, with people working from home, those built on pier/post foundation, and those that are renter-occupied. These findings suggest significant opportunities to reduce consumption and demand as in the study area, almost 10% of housing units are renter-occupied, 18% percent are without central cooling, and 7% have pools. Capturing a significant portion of these homes for retrofit conservation efforts through marketing has potential to produce substantial results. Producing a better understanding of determinants of household energy consumption using the methods presented has potential to assist development and implementation of strategies to reduce consumption and increase efficiency.     

Rural household energy consumption pattern in the disregarded villages of Bangladesh

Energy is one of the most important ingredients required to alleviate poverty and realize socio-economic and human development, which is directly interconnected to the prominence of life in rural areas. An extensive survey on household energy consumption pattern interrelating socio-economic and demographic factors was carried out in the disregarded villages of Bangladesh using stratified random sampling technique of 120 households. This paper focuses on household energy consumption, various combinations of fuels and their expenditure in the study area. Biomass, kerosene, electricity, LPG and candle were found as the energy carrier used in the rural households in this study. The study shows that 92% households use biomass, 28% LPG, 89% kerosene, 78% electricity and 27% candle as fuel types. It was found that 56% households collected biomass from their own homesteads and/or agricultural lands. Bamboo, branches, cow dung, firewood, rice husk, leaves & twigs and straw were found as the biomass for household energy use. Average monthly household expenditure for total energy was US$ 9.67 (SE, 0.31) per month while the total monthly income of the household was US$ 123 (SE, 2.53). The ratio of the total monthly energy expenditure to the total monthly income was 7.86%. The study will be helpful to understand the energy consumption system and its expenditure in the rural areas of Bangladesh and to the policy formulation for energy production, consumption and utilization.     

Household energy consumption in the UK: A highly geographically and socio-economically disaggregated model

Devising policies for a low carbon society requires a careful understanding of energy consumption in different types of households. In this paper, we explore patterns of UK household energy use and associated carbon emissions at national level and also at high levels of socio-economic and geographical disaggregation. In particular, we examine specific neighbourhoods with contrasting levels of deprivation, and typical ‘types’ (segments) of UK households based on socio-economic characteristics. Results support the hypothesis that different segments have widely differing patterns of consumption. We show that household energy use and associated carbon emissions are both strongly, but not solely, related to income levels. Other factors, such as the type of dwelling, tenure, household composition and rural/urban location are also extremely important. The methodology described in this paper can be used in various ways to inform policy-making. For example, results can help in targeting energy efficiency measures; trends from time series results will form a useful basis for scenario building; and the methodology may be used to model expected outcomes of possible policy options, such as personal carbon trading or a progressive tax regime on household energy consumption.     

Folk quantification of energy

Consumers use simplified measurements as a basis for residential energy decisions. We analyze their measurements of monthly consumption, changes through time, comparison of appliances, and length of payback period. Because of systematic errors in quantification, consumers choose ineffective energy conservation actions, and underestimate the benefits of previous actions. These errors do not result solely from lack of information since they are made even by consumers who understand technical energymeasurement. To explain the persistence of a seemingly disadvantageous system, we show that consumer methods are cognitively efficient. They are easy to learn and use and are compatible with general-purpose budgeting tasks. However, they lead to higher energy use than would be economically optimal for either the individual or the nation.     

Household energy behavior in Nordic countries—an unrealized energy saving potential

We conducted survey research in the Nordic countries on household energy behavior and decision making. Several authors have concluded that there is a 10–20% conservation potential in the Nordic countries from behavioral modifications alone. Nordic energy planners have not systematically incorporated research findings on behavior in their incentive strategies for encouraging energy conservation. Further research will be necessary before Nordic energy behavior and decision-making are fully understood. Ethnographic techniques should be used to generate hypotheses followed by broader surveys of specific target groups.     

Home energy use in nine OECD countries, 1960–1980

Government institutions and individuals have responded to fluctuations in energy supply and price with the implementation of policies and the initiation of conservation. While these activities have resulted in noticeable conservation of energy, primarily through behavioural actions, further savings could be achieved through the exchange of information regarding promising policies and technologies. Toward this end, data on residential sector energy use for nine OECD countries (Canada, Denmark, France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, the UK and the USA) have been collected over the period 1960–1980 and have been analysed using both indicators of energy-use intensity and econometric methods.     

Rural household energy demand modelling : A case study of Nepal

This paper describes the methodology adopted to arrive at a casual linear multiple regression to estimate and project end-use energy requirements of a rural household of Nepal. The general model developed is capable of estimating and projecting the total end-use energy requirements if eight variables are known. These are: standard population, household expenditure, agricultural commodity, number of livestock, number of cookstoves, area covered by housing, topography and forest accessibility condition, of a particular village. The method has been applied to estimate primary energy requirements in the household sector of a few surveyed villages typical of Nepal's different physiographical regions. Total useful energy is estimated considering the end-use efficiency of the devices employed for specific end-use activities. Relevance of the socio-economic variable for estimating end-use energy requirements for different villages varies according to the availability, price and choice of specific fuels for different end-use activities.     

Household water conservation: The role of indirect energy savings

Recent regulations specify a cost-effectiveness analysis of implementing household water conservation measures to reduce the flow of wastewater as a prerequisite to federal funding of wastewater treatment plant construction. There is a wide variety of devices available to conserve water: hot water as well as water at ambient temperature. In this analysis we use a sample of 23 metropolitan areas to evaluate the indirect household energy savings which results from conservation devices to save hot water.

Devices to conserve hot water are cost-effective in all 23 metropolitan areas up to an equivalent annual cost of $1.50/1000 gal saved under an assumption of no inflation in energy prices, and about $7.00/1000 gal saved under an assumption of 20%/yr inflation in energy prices. The impact of the indirect energy savings can be further illustrated by noting that devices to conserve ambient temperature water are cost-ineffective in all 23 metropolitan areas at equivalent annual costs above $1.00/1000 gal saved. Besides increasing the level of cost-effective household water conservation from 114 gal/day to 146 gal/day for a family of four, while providing significant economic savings, the indirect energy savings from hot-water conservation devices can provide a 46–62% reduction in energy use for residential water heating.     

Energy use and changing energy policies of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is an energy rich country that has been using energy with low efficiency and low socio-economic benefit. Recently, the focus of the government has changed to emphasize energy efficiency, conservation and management in its energy policies. This paper reviews the energy consumption patterns of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as its new policy focus on energy efficiency.     

Evaluation of city-scale impact of residential energy conservation measures using the detailed end-use simulation model

Energy conservation policies for the residential sector are evaluated by a model that simulates city-scale energy consumption in the residential sector by considering the diversity of household and building types. In this model, all the households in the city are classified into 380 categories based on the household and building type. The energy consumption for each household category is simulated by the dynamic energy simulation model, which includes an energy use schedule model and a heating and cooling load calculation model. Since the energy usage of each appliance is simulated for every 5 min according to the occupants’ energy usage activity, this model can evaluate not only the energy conservation measures by improving the buildings and appliances but also the measures that involve changing the occupants’ activities. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparing its results with the statistical and the measured data on Osaka City, Japan. Various types of energy conservation measures planned by the Japanese government for the residential sector are simulated and their effects on Osaka City are evaluated quantitatively. The future effects of these combined measures on the energy consumption are also predicted.     

Social habits and energy consumption in single-family homes

Personal interviews (response rate = 96.1%) were made with both men and women in an area of 76 similar, all-electric single-family houses (November 15 to December 1, 1981). The total variation in energy consumption in the area is explained by differences in social habits (water consumption, about 50%; ventilation habits, about 35%; indoor temperature, about 15%) among the households. The consumer sociological variables chosen for this study statistically explain more than 60% of total variation in household energy consumption. A relation has been found between attitude to energy consumption and household energy consumption with r = 0.48. The households display no knowledge that they themselves consume about one third of total energy used. When major energy saving activities are undertaken by the households, the motive is often energy consciousness. When minor energy-saving activities are taken, the motive is an economic one. The male energy-related role is of greater importance for the variation in household energy consumption than the female role.In a discussion, the importance of distinguishing between household energy consumption and household energy use in order not to affect the welfare of the households when energy saving actions are undertaken, is maintained.     

Saving energy the easy way: An analysis of thermostat management

One of the most effective and least expensive means of reducing household energy use is to maintain low indoor temperatures during the winter and high indoor temperatures during the summer. We examine the determinants of self-reported winter and summer thermostat settings and control strategies. Thermostat management (especially during the summer) was found not to be fixed, but varied and sensitive to some conditions. Certain groups (younger people, better educated individuals, audited households, multi-family households, and residents of warmer climates) reduced energy use at a greater rate than their counterparts. Households lowered and raised their thermostats during the day and during different seasons and also shut off their heating and air conditioning systems when their home was unoccupied. In fact, many households reported settings below 68° in the winter and above 78° in the summer, the standard temperatures used in many energy models and programs.This study raised a number of interesting questions for future work that should lead to improvements in the study of thermostat management, design and marketing of energy conservation programs, and the design of utility surveys. Larger sample sizes, uniform sampling designs and instruments, the collection of engineering, social, behavioral, and attitudinal data, multivariate analysis, and longterm studies should produce more consistent results. In addition, metering of temperature and thermostat setting data should provide a more reliable and accurate measure of indoor temperatures and thermostat management and allow researchers to make appropriate adjustments for self-reported thermostat data.