Why do people turn down the heat? Applying behavioural theories to assess reductions in space heating and energy consumption in Europe

Why do people turn down the heat? Applying behavioural theories to assess reductions in space heating and energy consumption in Europe

Conradie, Peter (Universiteit Gent)
Van Hove, Stephanie (Universiteit Gent)
Pelka, S. (TU Delft Energie and Industrie)
Karaliopoulos, Merkouris (Athens University of Economics and Business)
Anagnostopoulos, Filippos (Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy)
Brugger, Heike (Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI)
Ponnet, Koen (Universiteit Gent)

2023

Reducing heating-related energy consumption is vital in Europe, where it accounts for a significant portion of domestic energy usage. We studied the factors that influence reduced heating-related consumption by using three theoretical frameworks: the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Value Belief Norm theory, and the Prototype Willingness Model. Our sample consisted of 3098 people from 29 European countries. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to verify whether our observed variables measure our latent factors, followed by a structural equation model that incorporated these three behavioural models. We find that perceived behavioural control, subjective norms and attitudes (as part of the Theory of Planned Behaviour) are significant predictors of intent to reduce consumption. However, perceived behavioural control was not statistically significantly associated with behaviour. Environmental concern had a more significant influence on attitudes towards energy reduction than bill consciousness. Attitude was additionally significantly associated with fear of losing comfort and energy knowledge. Moreover, personal moral norms (as part of Value Belief Norm Theory) and willingness (as part of the Prototype Willingness Model) contributed to explaining the intent to reduce consumption, while willingness was also associated with behaviour.

Energy saving behaviour
Heating reduction
Household consumption
Prototype willingness model
Theory of planned behaviour
Value belief norm theory

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:6dba66c5-bc72-40a6-94f6-e24f94ec6d6e

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103059

2214-6296

Energy Research and Social Science, 100

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2023 Peter Conradie, Stephanie Van Hove, S. Pelka, Merkouris Karaliopoulos, Filippos Anagnostopoulos, Heike Brugger, Koen Ponnet