Household Energy Conservation Research Articles

Understanding visual feedback mechanism from three-dimensional of information, time and display: A meta-analysis of feedback research for household electricity conservation

Visual feedback, which refers to the provision of energy information through visual interfaces to households, has emerged as a crucial approach for promoting energy conservation and addressing climate change. However, existing experimental studies lack a unified standard framework design for visual feedback, and have significant divergences in its effectiveness. Hence, we first propose a design framework for visual feedback on household electricity consumption, including information, time and display. On this basis, this study provides comprehensivemeta-analytic evidence on the effectiveness of visual feedback from 156 articles between 1976 and 2024, and finds that visual feedback has a moderate energy-saving effect. Further considering the interaction of 3D influencing factors, we explore the optimal combination of visual feedback using multilevel meta-regression. The results show that information, time and display are all important factors for visual feedback. When designing informational interventions, it is important to choose effective feedback frequency and feedback media. The optimal strategy of 3D visual feedback combination is “self-comparison + monetary incentives + low frequency + digital media”. These findings can help policy makers and utilities to develop effective feedback measures to promote household energy conservation.

Optimizing energy consumption in smart homes: Load scheduling approaches

AbstractRising fuel prices, global warming, and environmental damage are leading to increased demand for rooftop solar energy systems connected to the power grid. The development of smart grids, modern metering systems, and energy management could promote energy conservation in households. In this study, two different meta‐heuristic optimization techniques were employed to schedule the shiftable load in suitable hours for decreasing electricity costs and minimizing peak to average ratio in a smart home while maintaining optimum user comfort. For power generation and storing energy, a grid‐connected residential load with rooftop solar panels, a battery, and an inverter is considered. First, the problem is theoretically described using a load model and an objective function, with the primary goal of reducing power costs by moving the time of usage for certain home appliances. Simulations validate the proposed strategies, which effectively reduce power costs by 4.5% by shifting the time of use, with both optimization algorithms showing similar output. The residential electricity cost before optimization was 507.12 BDT/day, which decreased to 484.33 BDT/day after optimization without compromising load turn‐off.

The Development of Real-Time Energy Consumption Monitoring using IoT

Energy shortage is a global challenge with significant implications for economies, societies, and the environment, including the Philippines. Promoting energy conservation in households is an effective approach to address this issue. In the Municipality of Midsayap, North Cotabato, Philippines, unmonitored energy consumption leads to excessive energy usage in households. To address this problem, this paper aims to research, build, test and implement a Real-Time Energy Consumption Monitoring (RECM) device using IoT technology. The RECM device, equipped with an SCT013 current sensor, enables real-time 24/7 monitoring of energy consumption. The monitored data is displayed in graphical and numerical formats using the Thing Speak cloud storage service. The RECM device was deployed in households, and a survey was conducted to evaluate its functionality and effectiveness. The results indicate that the design of the RECM device is a highly useful and efficient tool for real-time energy consumption monitoring. This paper provides circuit diagrams, wiring diagrams, and the list of materials used to develop the Real-Time Energy Consumption Monitoring (RECM) device using IoT.”

Household energy conservation behaviour: A socio-economic perspective

Studies on energy conservation and household behaviour were predominantly based on econometrics using secondary data with limited studies employing the primary data. In addition, the use of secondary data from developing countries are not without their inadequacies due to missing data points. However, generating data may lead to over or under estimations which led to this study deploying structural equation model and making use of cross-sectional data from a developing country perspective. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 329 respondents in Akure Metropolis households, Nigeria, that were selected using a random sampling techniques. The study adopted the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling approach. The results of the study showed that socio-economic variables electricity price, household size, income, number of appliance and weather have significant effects on energy conservation behavior with income having the largest structural weight. This implies that income is of utmost importance to residents` electricity saving practices as householders consume more and save less electricity with more income. It is therefore recommended that energy conservation policy should aim at regulating the purchase of electricity units at household levels, where the rich pay more tax than the poor. This will foster energy saving improvement at households sector of the Nigerian economy.

Encouraging household energy conservation through transdisciplinary approaches in Ghana and South Africa: assumptions, challenges and guidelines

ABSTRACTTransdisciplinary research has gained traction globally for mapping pathways for sustainable urbanisation. The involvement of local communities is believed to central to knowledge co-production needed to address sustainability challenges. But working with local communities can be challenging. This paper is structured around the authors’ personal reflections on undertaking transdisciplinary household energy conservation projects in Ghana and South Africa. The paper reflects on the assumptions and challenges of doing transdisciplinary research in urban Africa and suggests some guidelines for consideration when doing transdisciplinary projects. An inductive analysis of our reflections showed five key challenges: lack of integration, divergent problem identification, tensions in knowledge co-production, asymmetrical power relations, and distrust and managing expectations. We draw on our collective experiences to develop guidelines for conducting transdisciplinary research in urban Africa. These guidelines are not prescriptive but can be useful for a growing and broader audience interested in undertaking transdisciplinary research.

Household Energy Conservation Practices Used in Chalimbana Ward, Chongwe District

Energy conservation is a subject that has continued to attract global attention as it essential in ensuring that the growing energy demand does not pose a threat to the environment. In view of this, the aim of this study was to find out the household energy conservation practices used in Chalimbana ward of Chongwe district, Zambia. The study adopted a convergent mixed method research design. Qualitative data from 10 purposively sampled key informants was collected through in-depth-interviews using semi-structured interview guides. Additionally, quantitative data from 175 households selected through cluster sampling technique was collected using a questionnaire. The qualitative data was analysed though content analysis whereas quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The study found that most households in Chalimbana ward depend on traditional biomass energy (Charcoal and firewood). Through multiple linear regression, the study found that expenditure on household energy consumption in the study area is influenced is influenced by social economic factors such as family size, house size and education. To conserve energy, the households in this area use a variety of conservation methods of which the most used involves switching or putting off unused household energy appliances or sources. The energy used among these households causes air pollution, habitat loss, land use change, exposure to hazardous waste among other environmental atrocities While the study findings show that households in Chalimbana ward do practice energy conservation, this is not done at a substantive level that can yield sustainable environmental, economic and social benefits of household energy conservation.

Indirect Effect of Climate Change Experience on Household Energy Conservation Behavior of College Students Through Risk Perception and Intention

Indirect Effect of Climate Change Experience on Household Energy Conservation Behavior of College Students Through Risk Perception and Intention

Development and Application of Smart Home Energy Management System Based on Wireless Network Technology

In order to solve the problem of integration of home energy management system and wireless network technology, the author proposes the development and application of a smart home energy management system based on wireless network technology. Divide the NB-IoT into different simulation levels, simulate the physical layer of the NB-IoT, and according to the household energy conservation rules, calculate the household energy distribution parameters, convert the intelligent control signal into a signal constellation point, calculate the deviation value of the control command corresponding to the energy equipment, build an intelligent control simulation algorithm, and finally complete the simulation of the intelligent control system. Experimental results show the following: The simulation method in the intelligent home language input terminal control system is based on the Internet of Things, the average time of simulating the test point of energy equipment is about 4.9 s, the required simulation time is long, and in the intelligent control system of the mobile road tunnel lighting vehicle, the simulation time required by the designed simulation method is about 6.8 s, and the simulation time is the longest. The average time of the method proposed by the author to simulate the energy distribution instruction is about 3.3 s. Conclusion. The application prospect of a smart home energy management system based on wireless network technology is very broad.

Science literacy promotes energy conservation behaviors in Filipino youth via climate change knowledge efficacy: Evidence from PISA 2018

AbstractToday’s youth will inherit the brunt of climate change. Science literacy plays a critical role in raising future adults who commit to climate change mitigation by reducing daily household energy use. The objective of this study was to examine the mediating role of climate change knowledge efficacy on the positive influence of science literacy on engagement in energy conservation at home among Filipino adolescents. Data from the Program for International Student Assessment 2018 which included 7233 15-year-old high school students from 187 schools across 17 regions in the Philippines was used to address the study’s objective. Results showed that climate change knowledge efficacy fully mediated the positive association between science literacy and household energy conservation among Filipino adolescents. The study discussed the importance of emphasizing environmentalism in science education, parenting, and community programs as a viable and long-term climate change mitigation response.

Energy conservation literacy among households in Sub-Sahara Africa

PurposeEnergy conservation literacy within households is a contemporary and topical issue globally. However, scant research has been conducted on energy-saving literacy amongst Ghanaian households. To substantiate the problem, this paper aims to examine energy conservation literacy and behaviours among Ghanaian households in the Greater Accra Region.Design/methodology/approachThe study assessed household electricity use and explored determinants of household energy conservation behaviours. Data was collected through a survey administered to households within the target region and analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearmen’s rank correlation.FindingsResults showed electricity conservation among households is greatly influenced by the number of household occupants, household income levels, and the quality and quantity of appliances. The study also found that conservation behaviours are positively correlated to the number of occupants, household income levels, the quantity of electrical appliances, age of household members, number of rooms and level of urbanization within the home’s geographical region. Cumulatively, the findings suggest households held positive attitudes towards efficient energy practices. Enigmatically, the use of energy-conserving alternative technologies was not widely used by households; hence, this factor does not significantly affect household energy conservation.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough limited to Ghana’s capital region, the findings can be used to inform policy and regulations at the regional and national levels in designing an efficient and effective mechanism to reduce the country’s overall energy use.Practical implicationsPremised upon the findings, the study recommends an intensification of education and awareness-creation on various energy-saving regulations and initiatives and thorough education on the usage of standardized (approved) refrigerators to promote the consistent adoption of energy conservation measures among households.Originality/valueThis study pioneers investigations into the influence of household demographic variables on overall electricity conservation behaviours exhibited by Ghanaian households

An Alternative Low-Cost Embedded NILM System for Household Energy Conservation with a Low Sampling Rate

The measurement of the energy consumption of electrical appliances, where the meter is installed at a single point on the main input circuit of the building, is called non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM). The NILM method can distinguish the loads that are currently active and break down how the loads consume electricity. A microcontroller with embedded software was selected to read the data into the NILM method process at a low sampling rate every 1 s or 1 Hz. The measured data and the data obtained by the NILM algorithm were displayed via an internet platform. This article presents an alternative low-cost embedded NILM system for household energy conservation with a low sampling rate, which could identify electrical appliances such as an air conditioner, refrigerator, television, electric kettle, electric iron, microwave oven, rice cooker, and washing machine. Four features of symmetry pattern were extracted, containing information on the value of active power change, the value of reactive power change, the number of intersection points between the active power data and the reference line, and an estimation of an equation for the starting characteristics of the electrical equipment. The proposed NILM system was tested in a selected test house that used a single-phase power system. A typical meter was also installed to compare the results with the proposed NILM. The validity of the tests was checked for 1 month in 3 houses to analyze the results. The proposed method was able to detect 91.3% of total events. The accuracy of the average ability of the system to disaggregate devices was 0.897. The accuracy value for total power consumption was 0.927. The continuous data recording of the NILM method provides information on the behavior of electrical appliances that can be used for maintenance and warnings.

Technological Innovations, Behavioural Interventions, and Household Energy Conservation

The threats associated with climate change and the worsening ecological crisis have led to a growing interest in energy-conservation policies. Policymakers across the globe have been scrambling to find cost-effective and sustainable methods to meet the world’s growing energy demands. Traditional policies have so far largely focused on supply-side interventions aimed at encouraging energy efficiency via green innovation and new technologies. However, as several studies have indicated, supply-side policies alone are unlikely to be adequate to achieve the ambitious changes required to make our future sustainable. This review article draws on recent studies in behavioural economics to emphasize the need to reorient public policy towards altering consumer end-uses through behavioural interventions. In an attempt to draw out important lessons for public policy, the article reviews this emerging strand of literature and underlines the complex factors that influence energy consumption in a household.

Energy-Saving Behaviour of Households: Methodological Aspects of Research

The paper deals with the theoretical and methodological aspects of studying and modelling energy-saving behaviour of households in modern conditions. The main goal is to provide the scientific community in a concise form with these research results concerning the methodological support for the theoretical study of problems related to energy-saving behaviour of households. Extended version of the study on this topic will be published in a20003@mail.vstecb.cz different format. Scientific research methods are based on the use of abstraction and systematization of these energy-saving processes in households, the use of the principle “all other things being equal”, and the study of official statistical materials. The theoretical basis was the teachings of representatives of institutionalism and the neoclassical direction of economic theory. The obtained results include a conclusion about the features of modelling energy saving of households, which should be taken into account when preparing practical recommendations in the field of energy consumption; on the criteria for modelling based on the grouping of households and the types of their behaviour in the field of energy saving. The fundamental variables in obtaining the effect of energy saving are the processes of organizing and self-organizing the process of energy consumption by households, which make it possible to apply effective energy-saving actions. Also, in the final part of the work, a system of variable factors influencing the energy consumption of households and used in modelling their behaviour is presented. The advantage of the study is that, for the first time in a systematic way, the theoretical and methodological aspects of studying the behaviour of households in energy saving are considered, which will allow obtaining a holistic view of trends in energy consumption. An in-depth study of the scientific foundations of the process of energy conservation in households can contribute to the formation of effective government and business programs and thereby rationalize the behaviour of households as consumers and suppliers of energy resources.

What effect does feedback have on energy conservation? Comparing previous household usage, neighbourhood usage, and social norms in Japan

Home Energy Reports are well-known behavioral interventions providing social comparison that compare a household’s current energy usage with that of similar households. They also provide injunctive norm-based classification that indicate to recipients whether their current energy conservation habits are socially acceptable. This social comparison-based feedback has gained significant attention as an effective method for enhancing household energy conservation. However, the relative effect size of this practice, compared to other typical feedback approaches such as historical comparison (which compares a household’s current and past usage), has not been investigated. This study shows two important findings derived from a large-scale randomized experiment examining the behavioral features of energy-use feedback programs. First, social comparison-based Home Energy Reports were significantly more effective than historical comparison-based Home Energy Reports. Second, households using less energy than other similar households were likely to respond positively to injunctive norm-based classification, irrespective of the type of usage comparison in Home Energy Reports. Using a large-scale experiment, our study was the first to confirm that social comparison is more effective in promoting households’ energy conservation behavior than other types of usage comparisons.

ENERGY KNOWLEDGE IN INFLUENCING HOUSEHOLD’S ENERGY CONSERVATION BEHAVIOUR

Malaysia needs to ensure stable energy consumption to improve environmental quality and energy security. The increasing trend of the country’s population growth and economic development are parallel with the country’s overall energy demand. The building sector, commercial and residential sector has contributed to more than 12% of the country's final energy consumption in the year 2018. The energy demand from the household sector is on an increasing trend. The residential sector is responsible for the increasing trend of energy consumption with the improvement of lifestyle and living standards. Variation in residents’ behaviour can cause significant differences in energy consumption due to dwellings, household size, income, and building energy consumption. Past studies have shown the identification of the relevant psychological factors that formulating energy conservation behaviour contributed to household energy consumption reduction. By focusing on the psychological dimension, this study explores the role of energy knowledge in influencing energy conservation behaviour among households in Malaysia. Energy knowledge is about the household’s understanding in the context of energy-saving and consumption. Despite massive information and awareness of climate change about the contribution of climate change from household energy consumption, many households still do not practice energy conservation actively. By conducting a systematic literature review, this study found that energy knowledge plays an essential role in influencing household energy conservation behaviour. The findings of this study could help the institutions and relevant authorities to gain a better understanding of the role of energy knowledge as one of the psychological factors in household energy conservation behaviour.

Competition in a Household Energy Conservation Game

This paper presents the results of a game study, comparing Powersaver Game including a competition feature versus the same game excluding a competition feature with respect to energy conservation in the household. In a pretest–posttest design, we tested whether change in attitude, knowledge and behavior with respect to energy conservation in the household was different for participants playing Powersaver Game with or without competition. All energy conservation activities that the application provides (e.g., washing clothes at low temperatures) take place in the real world and feedback is based on real-time energy consumption. This so-called reality-enhanced game approach aims to optimize the transfer between the game world and the real world. Household energy consumption changed significantly and positively in the long term due to competition. A significant difference of 8% in energy consumption between both conditions after the intervention was detected. Besides energy conservation, no further differences were detected between conditions. The chain of events, that an increase in knowledge leads to attitude change, which in turn results in behavior change in the long term is confirmed by means of a path analysis. We conclude that Powersaver Game is effective in the transfer of energy conservation knowledge, which leads to energy saving behavior in the long term while competition additionally contributes to more change in behavior.

Are you an energy saver at home? The personality insights of household energy conservation behaviors based on theory of planned behavior

Personality traits play an important role in pro-environmental behavioral heterogeneity. This study aims to explore the effects of Big Five personality traits on the energy-saving behavior of residents based on the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB). We employ the k-means algorithm to cluster 1119 respondents in Xi'an, China by their personality characteristics into four groups: (1) the positives, (2) the temperates, (3) the conservatives, and (4) the introverts. The research observes significant heterogeneity of energy-saving behavior among the four resident groups. We examine the behavioral pattern of each resident group, and the analysis indicates that TPB attributes bridge personality traits and household energy-saving behaviors. The extended TPB factors explain the best performance on household energy-saving intention and behaviors of the positives. Besides, the results present the different effects of psychological factors on the energy-saving behaviors of different resident groups. The positive and temperate groups’ energy-saving intention is more sensitive to subjective norms, while perceived behavior control plays a more critical role in other groups. This study could broaden the scope of pro-environmental behavior research and advance knowledge by untangling the intertwined relationship between personality traits and household energy-saving behavior. The findings can contribute to occupant typology development, which is important to capture the diverse energy effect of occupant activity in building energy simulation research as well as differential energy-saving intervention setting in residential buildings to achieve sustainable development goals.

Are female-dominated families more energy-saving? Evidence from Jiangsu Province, China

As the second largest energy user after the industrial sector, households are under enormous pressure to save energy and reduce emissions. Based on the particular perspective of gender-specific differences in energy use, we conducted a large-scale questionnaire survey among residents in Jiangsu, China, and investigated household daily energy use (DEU) and energy-efficient product purchases (EEPPs). We also measured the distribution of family decision-making power between husbands and wives using four dimensions: daily expenditure decisions (DEDs), large-scale commodity purchase decisions (LCPDs), children's education decisions, and elder support decisions, and we furthermore explored the influence of the conjugal power core on household energy conservation. The results showed that male-dominated families use more energy and were less likely to buy energy-efficient products than gender neutral families (0.814 times the DEU; 1.202 times the EEPPs) and female-dominated families (0.705 times the DEU; 1.325 times the EEPPs). Specifically, when women constituted the power core in respect to decision-making about daily household expenditure, the household's daily energy consumption was significantly lower, and this did not affect LCPDs; when women represented the power core of decision-making about the purchase large-scale commodities for the household, EEPPs and DEU both tended to go green. The endogeneity and robustness tests also confirmed that the results were reliable and stable. Our findings provide new ideas for the government, which can contribute to the formulation of more effective energy-saving and emission-reduction strategies.

Machine Learning about Treatment Effect Heterogeneity: The Case of Household Energy Use

We use causal forests to evaluate the heterogeneous treatment effects (TEs) of repeated behavioral nudges toward household energy conservation. The average response to treatment is a monthly electricity reduction of 9 kilowatt-hours (kWh), but the full distribution of responses ranges from -40 to +10 kWh. Households learn to reduce more over time, conditional on having responded in year one. Pre-treatment consumption and home value are the most commonly used predictors in the forest. The results suggest the ability to use machine learning techniques for improved targeting and tailoring of treatment.

Can social information programs be more effective? The role of environmental identity for energy conservation

Social information programs are widely used to nudge behavioural change. Their effectiveness strongly depends on household and individual traits. The existing evidence in economics and psychology points to the role of environmental values and identity in determining pro-environmental behavior and the impact of social information. In a large field experiment on household energy conservation, we combine electricity metering and survey data to test whether the impact of a social information program can be strengthened by leveraging environmental values and identity. We experimentally augment social information messages with an environmental self-identity prime. The self-identity prime does not strengthen the effectiveness of a social information program on average. Nonetheless, we find suggestive evidence that priming environmental self-identity can be effective if targeted to specific sub-groups.