Clustering household energy-saving behaviours by behavioural attribute. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boudet, Hilary S.; Flora, June A.; Armel, K. Carrie
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 92(2016)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 454
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Conservation -- Pro-environmental behavior -- Cluster analysis -- Residential energy; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.02.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: Research on household energy conservation often categorizes targeted behaviours by their behavioural attributes (e.g., savings, cost, frequency). The most common distinction in the literature divides behaviours as follows: (1) low-impact, low-cost, repetitive behaviours that result in a loss of comfort or curtailment behaviours and (2) high-impact, high-cost, infrequent behaviours that result in no loss of amenities or efficiency behaviours. However, such categorizations have often been ad hoc and two-dimensional (e.g., low-impact vs. high-impact, low-cost vs. high-cost). In contrast, we systematically assess a large range of household energy-saving behaviours (N=261) across nine attributes – energy savings, cost, frequency of performance, required skill level, observability, locus of decision, household function, home topography, and appliance topography. By clustering behaviours according to these attributes, we discern four clusters of energy-saving behaviours: family style, call an expert, household management and weekend project. We discuss the implications of these clusters for intervention design. Highlights: We code 261 energy-saving behaviours across 9 attributes (e.g., savings, cost). We cluster behaviours by cost, frequency, skill, observability and locus of decision. We discern family style, call an expert, maintenance and weekend project clusters. We examine differences by savings, function, home and appliance topographies. Implications for household energy interventions are discussed.