Residential Energy Conservation: The Effects Of Education And Perceived Behavioral Control

Keywords

Education; Mediation; Perceived behavioral control; Residential energy; Theory of planned behavior

Abstract

This study examines the effects of values, norms, perceived behavioral control, and education on intentions to save energy and actual energy-saving behaviors among residential energy customers (N = 329). A linear regression with ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates showed that environmental values, energy-saving norms, and perceived behavioral control did not have uniform effects on energy behaviors and the intention to conserve was not significantly correlated with energy-using behaviors. However, there is a link between perceived behavioral control and energy-saving behaviors. Respondents with higher educational attainment had greater intentions to conserve energy and an increased likelihood of engaging in energy-conscious behavior like turning off the television more frequently. Further exploration revealed that a considerable portion of the effect of education was due to the mediating effect of perceived behavioral control and not due to increased pro-environmental values or norms.

Publication Date

3-1-2015

Publication Title

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences

Volume

5

Issue

1

Number of Pages

29-41

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-014-0196-6

Socpus ID

84977107208 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84977107208

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