Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

New paths of understanding electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient buildings

Ekim, Zeynep LU orcid and Mattsson, Pimkamol LU (2022) 27th IAPS Conference
Abstract
Background and objectives
Energy use behaviour is a complex issue and multiple perspectives are needed to fully understand it. It is difficult to define the most effective strategies or behaviours that reduce energy use in residential environment (Casado et al., 2015) despite efforts put on energy-efficient design and technologies. This study focuses on cognitive processes on electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient multifamily buildings. The aims are (1) to validate a new instrument using Self-determination theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 1985) and (2) to explore the psychological factors for electricity saving behaviour.

Method
An instrument comprising of 18 items of motivation of electricity saving behaviour along... (More)
Background and objectives
Energy use behaviour is a complex issue and multiple perspectives are needed to fully understand it. It is difficult to define the most effective strategies or behaviours that reduce energy use in residential environment (Casado et al., 2015) despite efforts put on energy-efficient design and technologies. This study focuses on cognitive processes on electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient multifamily buildings. The aims are (1) to validate a new instrument using Self-determination theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 1985) and (2) to explore the psychological factors for electricity saving behaviour.

Method
An instrument comprising of 18 items of motivation of electricity saving behaviour along with four questions regarding electricity use behaviour were distributed via post to individuals (N=887) living in energy-efficient buildings in southern Sweden. The buildings were built between the years 2016 – 2020 in accordance with the energy performance building regulations in Sweden.

Main result
The result will give a deeper understanding of motivational factors related to electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient buildings. The individuals’ reasons and rationales in engaging electricity saving behaviour will be examined in relation to their sense of self-determination. It is expected that autonomous motivation will contribute to electricity saving behaviour to a greater extent than controlled motivation.

Implications
This study will contribute to the theoretical knowledge of energy use behaviour while exploring the role of autonomous and controlled motivation in electricity saving behaviour. Understanding cognitive processes of electricity saving behaviour will contribute to defining new strategies and designing new technologies to reduce excessive electricity use. This study extends previous research on energy-saving behaviour by employing SDT to explore motivational factors in an energy-efficient multifamily buildings setting.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Energy use, Self-determination theory, motivation, Energy efficient buildings
conference name
27th IAPS Conference
conference location
Lisboa, Portugal
conference dates
2022-07-05 - 2022-07-08
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
350498a7-aed3-42c8-882e-e880aa442e66
date added to LUP
2022-09-07 18:35:15
date last changed
2023-11-14 14:37:41
@misc{350498a7-aed3-42c8-882e-e880aa442e66,
  abstract     = {{Background and objectives<br/>Energy use behaviour is a complex issue and multiple perspectives are needed to fully understand it. It is difficult to define the most effective strategies or behaviours that reduce energy use in residential environment (Casado et al., 2015) despite efforts put on energy-efficient design and technologies. This study focuses on cognitive processes on electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient multifamily buildings. The aims are (1) to validate a new instrument using Self-determination theory (SDT; Ryan &amp; Deci, 1985) and (2) to explore the psychological factors for electricity saving behaviour.<br/><br/>Method<br/>An instrument comprising of 18 items of motivation of electricity saving behaviour along with four questions regarding electricity use behaviour were distributed via post to individuals (N=887) living in energy-efficient buildings in southern Sweden. The buildings were built between the years 2016 – 2020 in accordance with the energy performance building regulations in Sweden.<br/><br/>Main result <br/>The result will give a deeper understanding of motivational factors related to electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient buildings. The individuals’ reasons and rationales in engaging electricity saving behaviour will be examined in relation to their sense of self-determination. It is expected that autonomous motivation will contribute to electricity saving behaviour to a greater extent than controlled motivation. <br/><br/>Implications <br/>This study will contribute to the theoretical knowledge of energy use behaviour while exploring the role of autonomous and controlled motivation in electricity saving behaviour. Understanding cognitive processes of electricity saving behaviour will contribute to defining new strategies and designing new technologies to reduce excessive electricity use. This study extends previous research on energy-saving behaviour by employing SDT to explore motivational factors in an energy-efficient multifamily buildings setting.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Ekim, Zeynep and Mattsson, Pimkamol}},
  keywords     = {{Energy use; Self-determination theory; motivation; Energy efficient buildings}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  title        = {{New paths of understanding electricity use behaviour in energy-efficient buildings}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}