Untangling the complexity of the direct and indirect determinants of the residential energy consumption in France: Quantitative analysis using a structural equation modeling approach

Abstract

About a quarter of French energy demand is for residential use. This study mobilises a multidisciplinary approach and a non-linear modeling strategy to examine the total, direct and indirect effects of households and housing units in designing French energy consumption. Based on micro-level data from the new French 2012 PHEBUS survey, this research implements a structural equation model to tease out the effects of both dwelling characteristics, household attributes, climate and behaviours on the domestic energy use. Findings confirm that the direct effect of household-related attributes on domestic energy demand is notably lower than the corresponding effect from the dwelling attributes. Nevertheless, considering for the indirect effect of household factors on energy use, across housing choices, the total impact of household-related attributes on the French domestic energy consumption is just slightly lower than that of dwelling characteristics. Therefore, to highlight the spectrum of residential energy use, this research calls to incorporate both direct and indirect effects of household attributes and choices. This study suggests several key insights on how to incorporate housing policy into residential energy policy and reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.