University of Twente Student Theses
Towards sustainable homes : a qualitative approach investigating household energy consumption and conservation behaviour.
Bibic, K.B. (2020) Towards sustainable homes : a qualitative approach investigating household energy consumption and conservation behaviour.
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| Abstract: | Decreasing energy consumption and simultaneously increasing energy conservation in the residential sector is one of the main aspirations of nowadays. In fact, almost one quarter of the total energy consumption worldwide can be traced back to domestic energy use. Therefore, this study aims at investigating peoples’ household energy consumption and conservation behaviour, while also taking influential factors and potential solutions into account. The study consisted of three separate qualitative data collection methods. Firstly, a diary study was employed to explore peoples’ energy consumption behaviour. Secondly, a semi-structured interview was used to examine energy conservation strategies and influential factors. Lastly, a focus group was conducted to deepen and validate findings. Results revealed high energy consumption tendencies with entertainment devices (eg. Mobile-phones, Laptops etc.) and kitchen devices. Furthermore, significant correlations between the demographic variable age and increased energy consumption tendencies were found. Additionally, results indicate that participants charging behaviour and generation of illumination comfort might be explainable by habit formation. As influential factors social environment, electricity bill- price level, time, mood, awareness, and knowledge were identified. To increase energy conservation in households a multidimensional approach is suggested in order to tackle as many influential factors as possible. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81677 |
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