Research Review of Energy Savings Changing People's Behavior: A Case of Foreign Country

Abstract

Behavioral change is becoming an important research object in order to reduce energy consumption. More and more programs and projects for environmental behavior research are made, that provides innovative tools and methods. This paper provides an overview of energy-saving potential of changing the behavior of the population, made in Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and USA. Purpose of the study is to analyze foreign research related to energy saving, changing people's behavior. The empirical study showed that the measures, aimed at the habits and routine procedure changes, such as the information disclosure, setting targets and feedback of energy consumption, and social impact let's a substantial saving of energy consumption in households, but mostly examined studies faced with a variety of methodological shortcomings as an example, in the study was used only one type of instrument, or has been used a few, but was not distinguished each of their impact on energy savings. Studies have shown that receiving a regular and effective feedback on energy consumption behavior, allow individuals to change their behavior. Based on assessments on the energy-saving potential in changing people's behavior, carried out in Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and USA can be said that people's behavior in relation to energy consumption affects the number of macro-level and personal factors. Macro-level factors include technological progress, economic development level, demographic, institutional and cultural country factors, while personal factors include personal human qualities, attitudes, beliefs, norms, motivation, skills, knowledge, habits and routines.