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The relationship between knowledge and awareness with electricity consumption behavior: a quantitative study on electricity consumption in the household sector
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Maryam Keyghobadi *   , Elaheh sadat Akbarnia , Farzaneh Nezakati rezapour |
| University of Tehran- Faculty of Management , mkeyghobadi@nri.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (450 Views) |
One of the influencing factors on energy consumption behavior is having knowledge and awareness in the field of its issues, including electricity generation methods, renewable energies, optimal consumption methods and its environmental consequences. The purpose of this research is to study the level of awareness of Iranian citizens and its effect on electricity consumption behaviors. For this purpose, with a quantitative approach, survey method and online questionnaire technique, we collected the data of household electricity sector subscribers from all over Iran, and finally 1081 individuals completed questionnaires were obtained. Data analysis and interpretation was done with SPSS software. The variable of knowledge and awareness was measured by knowing the comfortable temperature, how to calculate the cost of electricity, peak consumption hours, high consumption devices, the main sources of electricity production and citizens' self-declaration of their level of awareness in energy-related issues. The results showed that the citizens' awareness score is slightly less than 50 (out of 100 points). The behavior variable was measured with twenty items in cooling, lighting, cleaning, washing, etc. It was also asked about the time and amount of consumption of electrical appliances at home. The answers are combined and then the scores are added and standardized in the range of 0 to 100. For the average behavior, a number of 56.48 was obtained. In the correlation analysis between these two variables, Pearson's coefficient was used and the obtained number "0.078" indicates a positive but not very strong relationship between knowledge and awareness and electricity consumption behavior. In the analysis of this finding, by returning to the theories of this field, including theory practice, we find that knowledge and awareness is only one of the elements that shape energy consumption behavior. Other elements such as laws, technologies, infrastructures, norms, skills and meanings also influence the practice variable in combination. Therefore, an important finding of this research is the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to analyze the network of human and non-human actors involved in shaping energy consumption behavior, which in addition to humans, their awareness, beliefs and activities, the role of non-human factors such as technology, infrastructure, tools and facilities is considered as well.
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| Keywords: Electricity consumption behavior, Theory of Social Practices, knowledge and awareness. |
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Full-Text [PDF 798 kb]
(136 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Energy Management, Conservation and Rational Use of Energy
Received: 2023/11/22 | Accepted: 2024/04/23 | Published: 2024/02/29
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