Identification of households' barriers to energy saving solutions

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify households' barriers to energy saving solutions. Six types of barriers are introduced. The question to be answered is: what is the strength and relevance of the various barriers for changing consumer energy behaviour?

Design/methodology/approach

The method is focus group interviews. Focus groups do not aim at giving a representative picture of the population at large, but aim at recording and documenting a wide range of typical responses and reactions. The focus groups were recruited among a group of people who were actively looking for new dwellings and a reference group of environmentally conscious participants.

Findings

Three barriers out of the six proposed were found to be relevant in this study: Cultural‐normative, economic and information.

Research limitations/implications

Energy saving solutions are technically and socially complex matters, so it is important to advice and guide consumers to make changes that contribute substantially, rather than mere symbolic changes.

Practical implications

The finding that consumers not only need information on what and how to save energy, but also need help in identifying when they should do their investments is important for various actors involved in implementation of energy saving solutions.

Originality/value

Measures in the field of energy savings have had various successes. This article which concentrates on the barriers in this field can contribute to increased success rates.

Citation

Throne‐Holst, H., Strandbakken, P. and Stø, E. (2008), "Identification of households' barriers to energy saving solutions", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 54-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830810840363