What are the salient factors determining the usage of heating energy sources in France? Evidence from a discrete choice model

Abstract

In the context of environmental protection through energy management, heating energy consumption raises a major question. Thus, identifying the primary drivers of such consumption represents an important step toward addressing the challenges of growing energy demand. To facilitate the adoption of more efficient heating household systems, this study develops a Multinomial Logit approach to examine factors influencing heating energy consumption. Using the 2016 French Housing Survey, provided by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, this article finds striking evidence that dwelling characteristics such as dwelling type, year of construction, and location present the most significant drivers of heating energy choice. However, sociodemographic characteristics also hold some importance in the matter. The discovered consumption outcomes have important implications for policymakers, shedding light on consumers' profile and determinants of heating energy sources, the latter marking the core of the European Union’s competitive low-carbon economy by 2050 roadmap.