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Exploring Everyday Energy Usage Practices in Australian Households: A Qualitative Analysis

Author

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  • Elizabeth V. Hobman

    (CSIRO Land & Water, Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Karen Stenner

    (CSIRO Land & Water, EcoSciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
    Concentric.Energy, P.O. Box 767, Paddington, QLD 4064, Australia)

  • Elisha R. Frederiks

    (CSIRO Land & Water, EcoSciences Precinct, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia)

Abstract

In recent years, energy conservation research has identified a number of household actions that have the potential to drive significant reductions in carbon emissions in the near-term, without requiring substantial changes to householders’ lifestyles or imposing significant financial costs. In this qualitative study, we investigate the potential of some of these actions for behavioral modification by asking householders to reveal the reasons why they perform (or fail to perform) such actions. As part of a telephone survey, a sample of customers ( n = 1541) from an Australian energy retailer were asked about their reasons for engaging in specific energy usage practices in one of five household domains: laundry, kitchen, bathroom, space heating/cooling or general appliance usage. Qualitative analyses of participants’ open-ended responses revealed that practices in the laundry and kitchen appear to hold the greatest promise for behavioral change, whereas practices in the shower may be more challenging to modify. Integrating our findings with current psychological and sociological knowledge, we present a range of possibilities for future behavior change interventions at the practice-level.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth V. Hobman & Karen Stenner & Elisha R. Frederiks, 2017. "Exploring Everyday Energy Usage Practices in Australian Households: A Qualitative Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:9:p:1332-:d:110846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sofie Hagejärd & Anita Ollár & Paula Femenías & Ulrike Rahe, 2020. "Designing for Circularity—Addressing Product Design, Consumption Practices and Resource Flows in Domestic Kitchens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Filippo Corsini & Rafael Laurenti & Franziska Meinherz & Francesco Paolo Appio & Luca Mora, 2019. "The Advent of Practice Theories in Research on Sustainable Consumption: Past, Current and Future Directions of the Field," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Uros Tomic & Corinne Moser & Yann Blumer & Michael Stauffacher & Roman Seidl, 2020. "Exploring the role of positive direct experience in the adoption of energy efficient technologies: evidence from a Swiss field study on the promotion of low-flow showerheads," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Fei Wang & Liming Liu & Yili Yu & Gang Li & Jessica Li & Miadreza Shafie-khah & João P. S. Catalão, 2018. "Impact Analysis of Customized Feedback Interventions on Residential Electricity Load Consumption Behavior for Demand Response," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-22, March.
    5. Jessica Breadsell & Christine Eon & Greg Morrison & Yoshihisa Kashima, 2019. "Interlocking practices and their influence in the home," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 46(8), pages 1405-1421, October.

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