Research by Kumar, Andrews et al. – Saving from home! How income, efficiency, and curtailment behaviors shape energy

March 1, 2023

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the role of energy efficiency and curtailment behaviors and examine how these behaviors are mediated by annual household income to explain overall energy consumption dynamics in US households using a nationally representative dataset. Our two-part empirical analysis first explores the role of annual household income on the efficiency and curtailment behaviors while controlling for the physical and demographic variables using structural equation modeling (SEM). Next, we test the extent and direction of self-reported energy efficiency and curtailment behaviors in explaining total energy/electricity consumption of households using cluster analysis and multivariate linear regression methods. We find efficiency behaviors to be positively correlated with the household income. However, the direction of relationship between income and curtailment behaviors appears to vary depending upon specific actions. Our findings also suggest that in comparison to the consistent role of physical factors in the residential energy consumption, the nature and direction of behavioral factors are mixed and vary with specific behaviors and context. Our study builds upon the existing literature on residential energy saving behaviors and provides important insights for tailored, targeted, and effective policies.

Citation

Pranay Kumar, Holly Caggiano, Rachael Shwom, Frank A. Felder, Clinton J. Andrews, Saving from home! How income, efficiency, and curtailment behaviors shape energy consumption dynamics in US households?, Energy, Volume 271, 2023, 126988, ISSN 0360-5442, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.126988

Pranay Kumar is a PhD candidate at the Bloustein School

Clinton Andrews is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research the Bloustein School

Recent Posts

New Briefs: Rutgers Child Care Research Collaborative

The Rutgers Child Care Research Collaborative has released two new research briefs by Heldrich Center for Workforce Development researchers. New Jersey’s Childcare Workforce: An Examination of Internet Job Postings from October 2023, by Liana Lin, Brittney Donovan,...

Bhuyan Receives Leadership Excellence Award

  Soumitra Bhuyan, Executive Director of Health Administration Programs and Associate Professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, is the recipient of a National Leadership Excellence Award. Jointly...

Heldrich Survey: Inflation, Job Security Concern Workers

Half of U.S. Workers are Not Confident in the Federal Government’s Ability to Boost the Economy Deep concerns about inflation and the labor market are widespread throughout the country as Republicans take control of the White House and Congress — even amid low...

Bhuyan and Samuel Explore Generative AI Use in Healthcare

Generative Artificial Intelligence Use in Healthcare: Opportunities for Clinical Excellence and Administrative Efficiency Abstract Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) has transformative potential in healthcare to enhance patient care, personalize treatment...

NJSPL Report: Higher Education in New Jersey – A Policy Review

By Angie Nga Le, Stuart Shapiro, and Elizabeth Cooner New Jersey’s state higher education plan, “Where Opportunity Meets Innovation – A Student-Centered Vision for New Jersey Higher Education” (the Plan), was introduced in 2019. It envisions an ecosystem where every...

Upcoming Events

Event Series CAREERS

Virtual Career Drop-ins

Virtual

Stop by virtually on Mondays (except for holidays) beginning February 3 through April 28 between 11 am and 1 pm to ask a quick (15 min) career-related question of Bloustein […]

Event Series Research Seminar

Bloustein Research Seminar Series: Matt Mleczko

Bloustein School, Civic Square Building 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

Presented by Matt Mleczko This venue will enable our faculty to share research, build community, and extend our networks. Pizza will be served. Bloustein faculty, advanced PhD students, and external […]