Change mechanisms in the diffusion of residential energy conservation practices: an empirical study

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Technol. Forecasting Social Change; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1625(84)90087-8· OSTI ID:6772513

Brown, M A

Four types of variables that affect the diffusion of home energy conservation measures are assessed. These variables are the information possessed by households, household attitudes, the economic and demographic characteristics of households, and the attributes of conservation measures. A casual model of behavior change is presented based on Fishbein's theory of reasoned action. The model is tested using panel data on 225 homeowners from Decatur, Illinois and two conservation practices: employing winter night-time thermostat setbacks and adding attic insulation. The results illustrate the importance of all four change mechanisms. Many nonadopters have erroneous information about the financial and other benefits of the two practices. The elderly and the poor are particularly ill-informed. Negative attitudes are closely related to discomfort (for night-time setback) and expense (for attic insulation). As expected, barriers and incentives differ across population subgroups and innovations.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, IL
• OSTI ID: 6772513
• Journal Information: Technol. Forecasting Social Change; (United States), Journal Name: Technol. Forecasting Social Change; (United States) Vol. 2:2; ISSN TFSCB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
ATTITUDES
BEHAVIOR
BUILDINGS
DATA ANALYSIS
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HOUSEHOLDS
HOUSES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
TESTING
THERMAL INSULATION