Research conducted on energy consumption behavior of Amaroussion citizens
1. Introduction
The analysis is based on findings from the research conducted on energy consumption behavior of Amaroussion citizens . The project focused mainly on household electricity consumption , while also the citizens' general energy consumption behavior was examined through the investigation of their awareness, degree of information, and attitudes towards energy issues . To this end, 100 volunteer citizens were asked to self-complete a structured questionnaire . The effective sample was 63 citizens . Among these , a smaller sample ( n =30) participated in the measurement campaign conducted by CRES on behalf of the Municipal Development Company of the Municipality of Amaroussion (DEADA). The same smaller sample was asked to complete a second questionnaire after the completion of the measurement (effective sample for the second questionnaire was 15 citizens).
Following the analysis of the questionnaire responses , which was created and analyzed by CRES, some important conclusions were obtained regarding citizens' beliefs on the applicability of various energy saving and renewable energy techniques at home, problems and aspirations identified by public opinion and suggestions towards their resolution.
2. Main findings
2.1. 1st research phase
Most citizens of Amaroussion are not adequately informed on environmental and energy saving issues, which is evident either in their energy consumption habits or their beliefs and attitudes.
2.1.1. Energy consumption habits
• 1 out of 2, never cleans the refrigerator grid
• 1 in 4 does not check the energy label of the fridge / refrigerator and 3 in 10 of the dishwashers
• 6 in 10 do not fully load the washing machine
• 6 in 10 do not always place the lid while cooking
• Energy classes A++ and A+ are found only at 1 in 10 refrigerators, while quite a few are not aware of the exact energy class of the appliances
• 3 - 4 in 10 do not use the energy saving function on their monitor / PC
• The majority is not aware of the “energy star” label meaning in PCs and monitors
• Half are not aware that the screen savers actually saves energy
• 1 in 4 does not know that some appliances use up electricity even if they are turned off but not unplugged
• 6 in 10 do not unplug the chargers (mobile, laptop) when not in use
• 1 in 4 leave open doors when air conditioning is on
• 1 in 2 leaves lights turned on in empty rooms
2.1.2. Beliefs and attitudes
Although 92% claim to be informed on environmental issues, only 5% rank “electrical consumption” as the 1 st most important selection criterion when purchasing an electric appliance and report ignorance concerning most RES. Attitudes towards the use of various energy types are a function of either (a) the degree of information for each (i.e., the more they feel informed, the more positive they are towards their application in Greece) such as PV plants, (b) how familiar they are with them on a day-to-day basis such as Solar energy for heating water and Burning oil & gasoline, and (c) whether the type of energy is considered to be “milder”, such as wind and tidal energy. Furthermore, only 16% believe the households are the main energy consumers in Greece (actual percentage is 25%); this may hinder their efforts for change in energy consumption due to the low “weight” of the percentage in the total consumption pie. Further education is needed so that it becomes evident for everyone that meeker and more responsible energy consumption can in fact make a difference.
2.2. 2 nd research phase
The following section presents the findings from the sample (n=30) that participated in the in the measurement of household electricity consumption and illustrates the effects on citizens' habits and attitudes , as recorded through the questionnaires that were completed after the end of the program .
2.2.1. Knowledge and information , beliefs and attitudes, after the measurement campaign and visiting the internet portal
Citizens of Amaroussion exhibit in general a positive attitude towards applying energy conservation and RES at individual level; however, lack of adequate information and the high cost of related technologies are seen as main barriers . The remedies for this situation are the education on RES and EE at school level, the information through the Mass Media and the increase of public funding. Consequently, education of children at school but also pilot projects are the main actions proposed by the citizens to be taken at local level.
66 % of participants claim that their participation has enhanced their knowledge on energy saving (Graph 1). 39% were influenced by the program concerning EE measures for the residential sector. 31% were influenced concerning RES measures for households and 28% for environmental issues (Graph 2).
Graph 1 ( n =15)
Graph 2 ( n =14)
Concerning RES, the majority of citizens are more positively inclined towards the application of solar thermal and PV systems at Municipality level, and PV systems and wind mills at national level. Concerning EE, it is very encouraging that citizens are familiar and support concepts such as “bioclimatic architecture”. They strongly support the improvement of infrastructure (street lighting, public transport) and EE measures for households at Municipality level.
2.2.2. Intention to change consumption behavior
The majority of citizens who participated in the program seem to be willing to improve their energy consumption habits and behavior, for instance, they are willing to…
• Clean the grid at the back of the refrigerator more often and to defrost more regularly
• Move their refrigerator or freezer if it is located across a cooking appliance
• Check the energy label of any new appliance they will purchase
• Lower the temperature at the washing machine and the dish washer, and to use the ECO button
• Load more fully the dishwasher
• Use the pressure cooker more often
• Turn off more electric appliances with the on/off button , rather than with the remote control or putting them in stand by mode
• Unplug chargers that are not in use
• Use multiple sockets with a switch to turn off all appliances attached
• Not leave the lights on in empty rooms
• Replace common light bulbs with low consumption light bulbs
All these changes can make change the landscape of energy consumption in the Municipality of Amaroussion .
.... Adopt these changes and help our Municipality to become greener!
