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Energy Transition at Home: A Survey on the Data and Practices That Lead to a Change in Household Energy Behavior

Author

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  • Jacopo Gaspari

    (Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Ernesto Antonini

    (Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Lia Marchi

    (Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Vodola

    (Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Since energy transition depends significantly on reducing the built environment’s energy needs, many regulations and incentives have been implemented globally over the last three decades. Despite some positive results, many scholars suggest that households’ behavioral change could greatly accelerate progress. People’s levels of awareness and willingness to change, as well as the provision of feedback technologies, are important factors affecting the process. In spite of the extent of this body of literature, household consumption keeps rising. Our thesis is that the subject has been investigated without considering some important correlations among factors. Therefore, this study developed a survey to investigate actual consumers’ perspectives on the topic by combining people’s awareness of energy use, interaction with metering devices, and user motivation into a coherent framework. A testing session involving 500 people was held as a validation phase for a future large-scale launch of the questionnaire. The test yielded some early outcomes on how people become more interested in changing as they gain more knowledge and are offered suggestions. However, despite their supposedly advanced knowledge as educators and students, the sample’s level of awareness was low, suggesting that a more user-centered approach is needed for wide-scale progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacopo Gaspari & Ernesto Antonini & Lia Marchi & Vincenzo Vodola, 2021. "Energy Transition at Home: A Survey on the Data and Practices That Lead to a Change in Household Energy Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5268-:d:550707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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