The Factors Affecting Household Electricity Saving Behavior: A Study in Vietnam

Abstract

In the context of dramatically increase in electricity demand, Vietnam's potential for power supply remains limited. Research and promotion of electricity saving behavior of households become significant to reduce electricity consumption and protect ecological environment. This study incorporates elements of planned behavior theory (TPB) and norm activation model (NAM) as the basis for developing and extending key assumptions. In addition, expansion TPB is used to study influence factors affecting electricity saving behavior. Through a sample of 395 randomly selected residents in Tay Ninh Province and Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam, the proposals were checked using a structural equation model (SEM). The results showed that the factors in TPB and NAM (such as perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, attitude, personal moral norm) and additional factor (perceived benefit) are the important factors that influence resident's intention of saving electricity. Moreover, electricity saving behavior is strongly influenced by the intention of saving electricity, perceived benefit, policy and social propaganda. Based on these results, some inferences are drawn, and recommendations are made for policy makers and further research proposals are discussed.