Exploring Social Psychological Factors and Barriers Affecting Low-Income Residents’ Intentions to Reduce Energy Use

• In Event: 254 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 08. Energy Conversation

Abstract

Low-income households make up an important but often neglected area for energy reduction within the residential sector. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study investigates a comprehensive set of social-psychological factors and barriers influencing low-income residents’ intentions to conserve energy. Besides the three main TPB variables (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control), this study examines several additional factors including energy concern, bill consciousness, frugality attitude, and needs for comfort (i.e. coolness and warmness). Results of the hierarchical regression models among 264 low-income residents indicated the three TPB variables had positive impacts on intentions. Bill consciousness, energy concern and frugality were positively associated with intentions when each of them was entered in the regression models. However, energy concern and frugality became not significant predictors when need for comfort was considered. Taken together, attitudes were the strongest predictor of intention, followed by perceived behavioral control and bill consciousness.

Authors

• Chien-fei Chen, University of Tennessee

• Xiaojing Xu, University of Tennessee