A study of the effectiveness of intervention programs on household energy consumption

A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ON HOUSEHOLD ENERGY CONSUMPTION HE HENGZHAO (B. Eng., Tsinghua University) A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (BUILDING) DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE 2011 Acknowledgements I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the following persons, without whose assistance and support, the dissertation could not be finished. Assistant Professor Kua Harn Wei, my supervisor, for his invaluable advice and guidance throughout my study. His mentorship was paramount to the success of the dissertation. Professor Wong Nyuk Hien, my co-supervisor, for his insightful views on my research. Staff of Eco Singapore, Philipp Steinkemper, Tan Yi Han and Wilson Ang, for their understanding of my objectives and help during the research process. Mr Chew Hok Eng Freddie, other ITE College West teachers and students, for their active participation in the intervention program. Other relevant members from Hong Kah North RC and Southwest CDC, who contributed to my completion of the dissertation. My parents and family, for their love and support throughout my life. i  Table of Contents Acknowledgements i  Summary vi  List of Tables . viii  List of Figures ix  Abbreviations x  Chapter 1  Introduction . 1  1.1  Background   1  1.2  Objectives and Scope of the Study  . 3  1.3  Organization of Dissertation   3  Chapter 2  2.1  Literature Review 5  Energy Usage Related to Residential Sector   5  2.1.1  Direct and Indirect Residential Energy  . 5  2.1.2  Facts about Singapore’s Residential Energy Consumption   7  2.2  Lessons from Past Intervention Programs   8  2.2.1  General Description   8  2.2.2  Antecedent Interventions   9  2.2.3  Consequence Interventions  . 13  2.2.4  Summary  . 15  2.3  Behavior and Theories for Pro-Environmental Behavior   16  2.3.1  Behavior and Energy Consumption   16  2.3.2  A Brief Overview of Behavior Theories  . 18  ii  2.3.3  Value and Behavior . 20  2.3.4  Summary  . 23  2.4  Identification of Knowledge Gap  . 24  Chapter 3  Research Methodology . 25  3.1  Research Hypotheses   25  3.2  Research Design  . 25  3.3  Sample Choosing   26  3.4  Grouping, Duration and Procedure   29  3.5  Questionnaire Design  . 32  3.5.1  Basic Information   32  3.5.2  Behavior Score   32  3.5.3  Quality of Life . 34  3.5.4  Program Feedback   34  3.6  Data Collection and Processing   35  3.6.1  Data Collection  . 35  3.6.2  Data Processing  . 38  Chapter 4  Data Analysis 39  4.1  Basic Information  . 39  4.1.1  Groups  . 39  4.1.2  Ethnics . 39  4.1.3  House Type  . 40  4.1.4  Number of People Living in Households  41  iii  4.1.5  Income . 41  4.1.6  Education Level   42  4.2  Electricity Consumption and Gini Coefficient  . 42  4.3  Effectiveness of Interventions   46  4.3.1  Self-Reported Behavior Scores  . 46  4.3.2  Actual Electricity Consumption   50  4.4  QOL, Behaviors and Actual Consumption   53  4.4.1  Factor Analysis of QOL aspects  . 53  4.4.2  Regression Analysis for Behavior and Energy Consumption  . 55  4.4.3  Regression Analysis for Energy Saving  . 57  4.5  Feedback  . 59  Chapter 5  5.1  Conclusions . 63  Review of Research Objectives and Verification of Hypotheses   63  5.1.1  Review of Objective and Verification of Hypothesis 1  . 63  5.1.2  Review of Objective and Verification of Hypothesis 2  . 63  5.1.3  Review of Objective 3   64  5.2 Contributions and Implications   65  5.3  Limitations  . 65  5.4  Recommendations   68  5.5  Suggestions for further research  . 68  5.5.1  Intervention Study  . 68  5.5.2  Pro-environmental Behavior  . 69  iv  Bibliographies . 71  Appendices 75  Appendix 1. Basic information questionnaire  . 75  Appendix 2. Behavior questionnaire for Group (Leaflet) and (Control)   76  Appendix 3. Behavior questionnaire for Group (Tips)   78  Appendix 4. Quality of Life questionnaire   81  Appendix 5. Program feedback questionnaire   83  v  Summary Energy consumption is now becoming more and more critical due to climate change and rising energy price. Unlike energy use in industrial or commercial sectors, where energy is managed by professionals, residential energy consumption is affected by millions of diverse residents and consumed on many types of household appliances. In Singapore, energy is totally imported and more than 80% of residents live in HDB blocks. Therefore, a household electricity energy saving intervention program was done in HDB blocks in Hong Kah North district. The research objectives are to: (1) compare the effectiveness of different interventions based on self-reported behavior scores as well as actual electricity saving; (2) investigate how behaviors and electricity consumption are influenced by values and other demographics; (3) examine the methods of intervention used according to residents’ feedback and make recommendations. It is hypothesized that some interventions result in better results than others; and people’s values are determinant factors for their decisions on pro-environmental behaviors. The intervention program lasted six months and the method of comparing treatment groups against control group was used. General information in distributed materials (for households in Leaflet Group) and tailored information through conversation (for those in Tips Group) were provided to two treatment groups. Control Group received no information about energy saving. Surveys on demographic variables, behavior, value (Quality of Life) and feedback were used to collect data. Actual electricity consumption was also taken down. vi  The results show that Tips Group had most self-reported behavior changes towards an energy saving way with statistically significance. However, when it comes to energy saving, Leaflet Group saved most. The average savings between the last period of the program and the period before the start of the program were: Leaflet Group saved 15.8%, Tips Group saved 7.1% and Control Group saved 2.7%. People open to change with an emphasis on Traditional Family Value (family, work, health and religion) were more likely to behave in an energy-saving way; actual electricity consumption was positively correlated to number of people living in, floor area and air-conditioner possession but none of the value dimensions. However, the not so large explained variance indicates there are other factors besides value aspects affecting pro-environmental behaviors and further study should be done. The households living in larger apartments provided with information on energy conservation saved more percentage of electricity. Stickers were only pasted by half of the households and people had their own preference towards intervention methods. Easiness of behavior, saving money and environmental concern were found to be relatively important reasons for residents’ choices on pro-environmental behaviors. All these highlighted the importance of giving the right interventions to different residents. vii  List of Tables Table 2-1 Singapore’s energy consumption by sectors in 2005  Table 2-2 Twenty-two Quality-of-Life aspects and their descriptions  Table 3-1 Different interventions for different groups  Table 4-1 Numbers of housholds in different groups  Table 4-2 Ethnic components of households  Table 4-3 Percentage of house types  Table 4-4 Number of peple living in households  Table 4-5 Income situation  Table 4-6 Education level of household members  Table 4-7 Average electricity consumption in different groups  Table 4-8 Percentage of electricity consumption per quintile of residents  Table 4-9 Number of positive changes in different groups  Table 4-10 Behavior scores for 21 behaviors and statistical results  Table 4-11 Hourly average temperature  Table 4-12 Change of electricity consumption during different periods  Table 4-13 Reliability statistics for behavior score and QOL  Table 4-14 Factor loadings after varimax rotation  Table 4-15 Regression results for behavior scores and actual consumption  Table 4-16 Regression results for actual electricity saving  Table 5-1 A method to describe family structure  viii  List of Figures Figure 2-1 The innovation decision process  Figure 2-2 An integrated model of pro-environmental behavior  Figure 3-1 Research design  Figure 3-2 Map of the studied area  Figure 3-3 Schedule of intervention program  Figure 3-4 The way to provide tailored information in Tips Group  Figure 3-5 Five periods for comparison  Figure 4-1 Domestic electricity tariff during the program period  Figure 4-2 Lorenz curve and definition of Gini coefficient  Figure 4-3 Result: Lorenz curve  Figure 4-4 Score distribution for specific behaviors  Figure 4-5 Average percentage savings of different groups  Figure 4-6 Response to feeback  ix  in other areas of Singapore and possibly better. On the contrary, if time to train volunteers is limited and the quality of tips given cannot be guaranteed, leaflet is preferable to tips. To investigate pro-environmental behavior, only value dimensions and demographics were covered in the analysis. Though the results show some insight into their relation, behaviors cannot be fully explained only through values and demographics. Some other factors that have been proved to influence behavior are ignored in the study, like demographic side (family structure, age), contextual or external side (cultural), and psychological or internal side (motivation, knowledge), etc. Furthermore, for tips group, how the responders’ characteristics affect their communication with other family members is not considered. 5.4 Recommendations Providing information about energy conservation is useful in household energy interventions. Residents’ preferences towards intervention (conversation, reading material or other methods; whether they will use stickers) should also be taken into consideration and the right kind of intervention should be provided to residents to achieve successful results. A database about residents’ information and preferences may be favorable. Straightforward and easy measurements, emphasis on the amount of money saved and evoking environmental concern are recommended for intervention. 5.5 Suggestions for further research 5.5.1 Intervention Study First, groups should have adequate numbers of households so statistical analysis is possible. Whether residents keep pro-environmental behaviors and save energy 68  after the intervention programs is best studied. It is best that the effect of variables like weather on energy consumption is corrected and variables like house type which has a great impact on energy consumption are controlled. Second, a database can be used to provide the most effective kind of intervention among a list of interventions according to households’ preferences. The advantages are efficient use of resources and effective intervention. Third, family structure could be taken into consideration. Shimoda et al. (2007) showed a good example. He classified household types on the basis of number of members and family type. Similar approaches can be adopted. Table 5-1 A method to describe family structure Number of members Family type Male, female, aged male, aged female Couple, aged couple, mother and a child Couple and a child, mother and children Couple and children Couple and children More than Couple, children, and parents (Source: Shimoda et al., 2007) Fourth, effectiveness of other combination of interventions can be tested. Fifth, indirect consumption can be included in future research. Sixth, find out how the “gatekeeper”, the one who handle the information and is responsible to inform other family members, affect the spread of information. 5.5.2 Pro-environmental Behavior First, inclusion of variables other than demographics and values, such as contextual or psychological factors, can be attempted to see whether it is a better explanation 69  of pro-environmental behavior. Other attempts like using other theories, such as theory of planned behavior and theory of cognitive dissonance, could be employed; but the difficulty is how to use diverse theories in an integrated manner and avoid putting them together mechanically. Second, verify to what degree self-reported scores are reliable. Methods can be well controlled experiments. Third, analyze different behaviors in a detailed way and find out barriers. That would provide insights for policy, building or product design. 70  Bibliographies Abrahamse, W., Steg, L., Vlek, C., Rothengatter, T., 2005. 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Ages and genders of all family members: E.g. people in a house. Ages and genders: Person A, 33, M; Person B, 33, F; Person C, 5, M. Then fill with “33(M), 33(F), 5(M)”. 2. Monthly income of the whole family: (Make a choice.) A. 0-1999 B. 2000-3999 C. 4000-5999 D. 6000-7999 E. 8000-9999 F. 10000-11999 G. 12000-13999 H. 14000-15999 I. 16000-17999 J. above 18000 Notes: If the resident is reluctant to tell about it, let him know that we are only asking for a range and we will keep the information confidential. The information is for research only. 3. Education level of the householder: (Make a choice from below.) A. Pre-School Education B. Primary School C. Secondary School D. Junior College E. Polytechnics F. Institute of Technical Education G. Bachelor H. Postgraduate 4. Education level of the person who is at home most often: (Make a choice from below.) A. Pre-School Education B. Primary School C. Secondary School D. Junior College E. Polytechnics F. Institute of Technical Education G. Bachelor H. Postgraduate 5. Highest education level in the family: (Make a choice from below.) A. Pre-School Education B. Primary School C. Secondary School D. Junior College E. Polytechnics F. Institute of Technical Education G. Bachelor H. Postgraduate 6. Ethnics: A. Chinese B. Malay C. Indian D. Others: 75  Appendix 2. Behavior questionnaire for Group (Leaflet) and (Control) Behavior Neve r Rare ly Sometim es Usual ly Alwa ys Never even less once/4 years once/ years >once / years Very close, sever al heat sourc es No / Close but with insulatio n / Away / Small space / No space / Little space / Enou gh space Enou gh space Air-Conditioner a. Possession: Yes/No Number: 1. Use fans rather than air-conditioners. 2. When using air-cons, use fans and raise the temperature at the same time to save energy. 3. Set the thermostat above 25oC. 4. Use automatic time switch when possible. 5. Regularly check the air-cons and clean air filter timely. 6. Keep windows and doors closed when the air-con is on. Refrigerator b. Possession: Yes/No Number: 7. Refrigerator placed away from a heat source. (e.g. direct sunlight, cookers, oven) 8. Allow some space all around the fridge. 9. A not too crowded refrigerator. 10. Cool down hot food before storing in fridge. 11. Cover liquids stored in the refrigerator. Water Heater c. Possession: Yes/No 12. Heat enough water without too much unused. (For an instantaneous one, switch it on before shower and turn off after use. For a storage type, switch it on about 20 minutes before shower, and turn it off after use. ) Lighting 13. Make full use of daylight during the daytime. 14. Turn lights off when nobody is in. 15. Use task lighting for activities requiring small amount of focus light. (e.g. reading lamps). Home Electronics 16. Turn off home appliances instead of leaving 76  Behavior Neve r Rare ly Sometim es Usual ly Alwa ys on standby. 17. Switch top boxes, modems off when not in use. (e.g. overnight) 18. Allow computer to be on hibernation mode after 10- 15 min. Switch off the computer completely when not in use for more than 30 minutes. 19. Unplug chargers after use. Electric Air-Pot d. Possession: Yes/No 20. Turn it on only necessary. Turn it off if not in use overnight. Clothes Dryer e. Possession: Yes/No 21. Dry laundry under whenever possible. natural sunlight 77  Appendix 3. Behavior questionnaire for Group (Tips) Behavior Nev er Rare ly Someti mes Usual ly Alwa ys Explanation Air-Conditioner a. Possession: Yes/No Number: 1. Use fans rather than air-conditioners. 2. When using aircons, use fans and raise the temperature at the same time to save energy. 3. Set the thermostat above 25oC. 4. Use automatic time switch when possible. 5. Regularly check the air-cons and clean air filter timely. Nev er even less once/4 years once/ years >onc e/ years 6. Keep windows and doors closed when the air-conditioner is on. Refrigerator Using air-conditioners as well as fans can save energy for fans increase air movements and make people feel more comfortable. Increasing the temperature set point by degree will reduce the amount of power by up to 10 per cent. Turn off the air-con half an hour earlier using a timer. The condition of an aircon unit (e.g. refrigerant, pipes and motors) also affects its efficiency. Air leakage additional consumption. leads to energy b. Possession: Yes/No Number: 7. Refrigerator placed away from a heat source. (e.g. direct sunlight, cookers, oven) Very close to heat sourc es / Close but with insulatio n / Away 8. Allow some space all around the fridge. No / Small space / Enou gh space 9. A not too crowded refrigerator. No spac e / Little space / Enou gh space Allow some space all around the fridge to allow heat to escape from the compressor and condensing coil. Do not overload the refrigerator to ensure the cold air can circulate freely. Consider using tupperwares or other food storage containers to minimize clutter. 10. Cool down hot 78  Behavior food before storing in. 11. Cover liquids stored in the refrigerator. Water Heater Nev er Rare ly Someti mes Usual ly Alwa ys Explanation Uncovered liquids release moisture and make the compressor work harder. c. Possession: Yes/No 12. Heat enough water without too much unused. (For an instantaneous one, switch it on before shower and turn off after use. For a storage type, switch it on about 20 minutes before shower, and turn it off after use. ) Lighting For an instantaneous water heater, switch it on before you shower and turn it off after use. For a storage water heater, switch it on about 20 minutes before you shower, and turn it off after use. 13. Make full use of daylight during the daytime. 14. Turn lights off when nobody is in. 15. Use task lighting for activities requiring small amount of focus light. (e.g. reading lamps). Home Electronics 16. Do not leave home appliances on standby. 17. Switch top boxes, modems off when not in use. (e.g. overnight) 18. Allow computer to be on hibernation mode after 10- 15 min. Switch off the computer completely when not in use for more than 30 minutes. 19. Unplug chargers after use. Electric Air-Pot Switch off home appliances at the power socket. Do not leave them on standby as they are still consuming electricity. Enable your computer’s energy-saving features, such as switching to hibernation mode after a certain amount of time of inactivity or after downloads are complete. 79  Behavior Nev er Rare ly Someti mes Usual ly Alwa ys Explanation d. Possession: Yes/No 20. Turn it on only when necessary. Turn it off if it is not in use overnight. Use thermo-flask instead of electric air-pot, boil water only when necessary (e.g. electric kettle) or switch off airpot at night. Clothes Dryer e. Possession: Yes/No 21. Dry laundry under natural sunlight whenever possible. Dry laundry under natural sunlight whenever possible. 80  Appendix 4. Quality of Life questionnaire Rate the importance of the following aspects to your family: 你觉得下面各项描述对你的家庭是否重要？ =Unimportant, =Slightly important, =Important, =Very important, =Critical Description 描述 Critic Being able to enjoy the beauty of nature and Unim Slightl Impor Very porta y tant important al culture.可以享受自然和文化的美。 nt import Having challenges and experiencing pleasant and exciting things.获得挑战，经历愉悦和兴奋的 事物。 Unim porta nt Having a varied life, experiencing many things as possible.体验尽可能多的事物。 Unim porta nt Having a comfortable and easy daily life. 过舒适轻 松的日常生活。 Unim porta nt Having the chance to get a good education and to gain general knowledge.有机会得到良好的教育和获 Unim porta nt 得常识。 Having access to clean air, water and soil. Having and maintaining a good environmental quality. 能 接触干净的空气、水和泥土。享有并维持高的环境 质量。 Freedom and control over the course of one's life, to be able to decide for yourself, what you do, when and how. 自由，能控制自己的生活。 Being in good health, access to adequate health care.健康，获得良好医疗。 Unim porta nt Having sufficient self-respect and being able to develop one's own identity. 有足够的自尊，能发展 Unim porta nt 自我的认同。 10 Unim porta nt Having enough time after work and household work and being able to spend this time satisfactorily. 公务和家务忙完后，有足够时间，并 Unim porta nt Unim porta nt ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Slightl y import ant Slightl y import Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al 能满意地度过这段时光。 11 家中摆设装修漂亮。 Unim porta nt 12 Having enough money to buy and to the thing necessary and pleasing. 有足够的金钱购买或做必需的 和令人愉悦的事物。 Unim porta nt 13 To enjoy natural landscapes, parks and forests. Assurance of the continued existence of plants and animals and maintaining biodiversity. 能 享 受 自 然 景 物、公园和树林。植物、动物和生物多样性得以保 存。 Having an intimate relation, a stable family life and good family relationships. 有亲密的伴侣、稳定的家庭生 活。 Unim porta nt Having opportunities to be yourself, your own things, a place of your own. 有私人空间去做 Unim porta nt 14 15 Having nice possessions in and around the house. 自己的事。 Unim porta nt 81  Description 描述 16 Being safe at home and in the streets. Being able to avoid accidents and being protected against criminality. 活在安全的环境，免遭意外和犯罪。 Unim porta nt 17 Feeling attended to and cared for by others. 受到 他人的关心。 Unim porta nt Having equal chances and rights as others, being treated righteously. 和 他 人 享 有 同 等 的 机 会 和 权 Unim porta nt 18 利。被公正地对待。 19 Having good relationships with friends, colleagues, neighbors. 与朋友、同事、邻居关系良 好。 20 21 22 Being able to live a life with an emphasis on spirituality and/or with your own religious persuasion. 重视精神生活或宗教信仰。 Being appreciated and respected by others. 受到 Unim porta nt Unim porta nt 他人尊重。 Unim porta nt Having or being able to find a job and being able to fulfill it as pleasantly as possible. 有或者能找 Unim porta nt 到一份可以愉快完成的工作。 ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Slightl y import ant Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al Impor tant Very important Critic al 82  Appendix 5. Program feedback questionnaire This section is only for the study of usefulness of the program. For each household, please only ask the questions designed for the particular group. G123: Group 1, 2&3; G1: Group 1; G2: Group 2; G3: Group 3. Do you agree or disagree with the following opinions? 1: Strongly disagree; 2: Disagree; 3: Neutral; 4: Agree; 5: Strongly agree 1. G123: All your family members know they are in such a program. 2. G1: You have read the leaflets and stickers at least once. Yes / No 3. G1: You pasted the stickers in your house. Yes / No 4. G1: You read the leaflets and stickers every time we gave you. 5. G1: Your family members read the leaflets and stickers as well. 6. G1: The leaflets provide you useful information about energy saving. 7. G2: The discussion provides you useful information about energy saving. 8. G3: We have provided you useful information about energy saving. 9. G2: The discussion let you understand the reasons of energy-related behavior. 10. G2: You have spread the information from the discussion to other family members. 11. G123: You have changed your behaviors towards a more energy efficient way. 12. G123: Why you practice the recommended measures? To save money. 13. G123: Why you practice the recommended measures? I am concerned about the environmental problem. 14. G123: The information of how to save energy is easy to access so the recommended measures are practiced. 15. G123: Encouragement makes the recommended measures performed. 16. G123: Because the energy saving information is from trusted persons or organizations, the recommended measures are performed. 17. G123: Why you practice the recommended measures? A sense of satisfaction is obtained after doing so. 18. G123: If the measures are easy to perform, they are more likely to perform; if they are difficult, they are unlikely to perform. 19. G123: Rate the program: 1, lowest; 2, lower than average; 3, average; 4, higher than average; 5, highest. Do you have any advice for the program? (If not enough space, write below.) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 83  [...]... classification of past intervention programs Antecedent interventions mean the influence is made before the behaviors One of the examples is to provide energysaving knowledge to households The key of antecedent interventions is whether the determinants of behaviors are changed Consequence interventions are based on the assumption that positive consequences make people inclined towards proenvironmental behaviors... lasts six months The effectiveness of interventions, self-behavior scores, values, and actual electricity consumption are main topics discussed Statistics methods are applied in data analysis 1.3 Organization of Dissertation The outline of the dissertation can be described as follows: 3  Chapter 1 gives an overview of the dissertation and generalizes the background, research objectives, the scope of. .. scope of the study and the organization of the dissertation Chapter 2 presents literature reviews on previous intervention programs aiming to reduce energy consumption and different models for pro-environmental behaviors Chapter 3 describes the research methodology used in the study concretely Details about the intervention program and methods for data collection and data analysis are covered Chapter... expenditure of certain categories in his comparison of indirect energy use between EU members due to the reason of structural differences between the economies and unacceptable quality of available data To include indirect energy consumption in residential energy is fatal because people now have a varied life compared to the old days and lots of activities happen outside the house, the energy consumption of. .. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background Energy consumption has been a topic of interest for decades due to climate change and rising energy price The society’s total energy consumption can be divided into three categories –industrial consumption, commercial consumption and residential consumption Compared to the other two sectors, residential energy conservation faces a rather difficult task, for the. .. used a scale of value aspects to discuss the relationship among values, NEP, concern about global warming, policy support, acceptability of energy- saving measures and energy use 2.3.4 Summary The energy intervention program requires us to study how energy consumption is affected by interventions However, intervention is firstly related to behavior changes and then energy consumption Economics, theories... information like mass media campaign and modeling are not adaptable To do research that can be statistically tested, the sample size should be relatively large and the number of comparative groups is small A common method, distributing information pamphlets and a relatively unused method, tailored information is compared Actual energy consumption and self-reported behavior scores are regarded as main... presents the results of data analysis The demographical characteristics are firstly discussed; the effectiveness of interventions is then compared according to self-reported behavior scores and actual electricity consumption; Quality of Life aspects are factored analyzed and regression models for behavior scores and electricity consumption are tested; and finally analyze households’ feedback Chapter 5... house Having enough money to buy and to do the things that are necessary and pleasing 13 Nature/biodiversity Being able to enjoy natural landscapes, parks, and forests Assurance of the continued existence of plants and animals and maintaining biodiversity 14 Partner and family Having an intimate relation Having a stable family life and having good family relationships 15 Privacy Having the opportunity to... behavior has been extensively analyzed For example, Stern et al (1995) analyzed the relationships between values, New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, a scale of awareness of consequences (AC) of general environmental conditions and behavioral intentions It was found that NEP and AC behaved similarly in a causal model which linked environmental beliefs to attitudes and behaviors Pootinga, Steg and Vlek . consumption, commercial consumption and residential consumption. Compared to the other two sectors, residential energy conservation faces a rather difficult task, for the reason that the energy. in the study concretely. Details about the intervention program and methods for data collection and data analysis are covered. Chapter 4 presents the results of data analysis. The demographical. described as follows: 4 Chapter 1 gives an overview of the dissertation and generalizes the background, research objectives, the scope of the study and the organization of the dissertation. Chapter