Determinant factors of residential consumption and perception of energy conservation: Time-series analysis by large-scale questionnaire in Suita, Japan

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 87; pp. 240 - 249
• Main Authors: Hara, Keishiro, Uwasu, Michinori, Kishita, Yusuke, Takeda, Hiroyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2015; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Consumer behavior; Consumer behaviour; Determinant factors; Determinants; Electric appliances; Electricity; Electricity consumption; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy policy; Family income; Household appliances; Households; Income; Lifestyles; Logit models; Mathematical models; Ordered logit model; Osaka Japan; Perception; Perception of energy savings; Questionnaire; Questionnaires; Residential energy; Savings; Studies; Temporal perception; Time series; Osaka Japan; Japan; Japan, Honshu, Osaka Prefect; INW, Japan; Energy consumption; Ordered logit model; Questionnaire; Determinant factors; Perception of energy savings
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.09.016

In this study, we examined determinant factors associated with the residential consumption and perception of savings of electricity and city gas; this was based on data collected from a large-scale questionnaire sent to households in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, in two different years: 2009 and 2013. We applied an ordered logit model to determine the overall trend of the determinant factors, and then we performed a more detailed analysis in order to understand the reasons why the determinant factors changed between the two periods. Results from the ordered logit model reveal that electricity and gas consumption was primarily determined by such factors as household income, number of family members, the number of home appliances, and the perceptions of energy savings; there was not much difference between the two years, although in 2013, household income did not affect the perception of energy savings. Detailed analysis demonstrated that households with high energy consumption and those with moderate consumption are becoming polarized and that there was a growing gap between consumption behavior and the perception of conservation. The implications derived from the analyses provide an essential insight into the design of a municipal policy to induce lifestyle changes for an energy-saving society. •Questionnaire was conducted to households in two years for time-series analysis.•We analyzed residential energy consumption and perception of savings in households.•Determinant factors for consumption and perception of savings were identified.•Households being wasteful of energy are also found willing to cut consumption.•Policy intervention could affect consumption pattern and perception of savings.