A cross-cultural analysis of household energy use behaviour in Japan and Norway

Wilhite, Harold; Nakagami, Hidetoshi; Masuda, Takashi; Yamaga, Yukiko; Haneda, Hiroshi

doi:10.1016/0301-4215(96)00061-4

Cited by 316 publications

(192 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

186

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…To grasp the more complex relations that did not "fit into" these models, Loren Lutzenhiser (1992) therefore developed an alternative "cultural model" of household energy consumption with contributions from sociology and anthropology. During the 1990s and up until today, the amount of research with a cultural and socio-technical perspective has increased (Wilhite et al 1996, Aune 1998, Wilhite and Lutzenhiser 1999, Rohracher 2002, Shove 2003, Ornetzeder and Rohracher 2006. However, studies with a cultural perspective have still had limited relevance in designing energy policy compared to technological and economical approaches.…”

Section: Energy Consumption and Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wilk and Wilhite (1985) and Wilhite et al (1996) focused on energy consumption and the meaning of the home. They claim that we cannot explain private energy use without understanding the diverse meaning of homes.…”

Section: Energy Consumption and Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the article will pursue social and cultural explanations of private energy consumption (cf. Wilk and Wilhite 1985, Wilhite et al 1996, Lutzenhiser 1988, Shove 2003. The aim of the article is to provide insights in aspects of everyday life and energy consumption that will broaden the rather static picture of consumers that is reflected in energy policy, as well as question the momentum of the material equipment in Norwegian houses.…”

Section: Introduction: Costs and Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Energy comes home

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The growth in private energy consumption is an increasing problem in the Western countries. From an environmental point of view, this consumption has to be reduced.This article discusses private energy consumption and possibilities for reduction in Norway, with a special focus on the home. It argues against a rational economic view of the consumer and emphasizes the significance of a more subtle understanding of private energy use. The article approaches the challenges of reducing private energy consumption by analysing the domestication of the home and discusses everyday life activities as well as the phenomenon of rebuilding and redecorating. By using the concept of domestication, the article will challenges the linear understanding of technological as well as behavioural change. Private energy consumption is part of a complex network and it is necessary to understand this network in order to achieve a more permanent reduction.

show abstract

Section: Energy Consumption and Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Energy Consumption and Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction: Costs and Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Energy comes home

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A cross-cultural study of energy behavior in Norway and Japan (Wilhite, Nakagami, Masuda, Yamaga, & Haneda, 1996) reveals that less than 50% of Oslo's households set back temperature at night and 28% did not lower thermostat settings during weekends or vacations. Another northern European survey on 600 homes (Linden, Carlsson-Kanyama, & Eriksson, 2006) showed that only 38% of the houses with thermostats lowered their temperature during the night.…”

Section: Use Of Programming Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some cases, discomfort upon entering a cold house discouraged people from setting back temperatures when they are away during the day (Linden, et al, 2006). In fact, in some countries a warm house is cozy and socially recognized (Wilhite, et al, 1996).…”

Section: Barriers To Using Pts Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermostat Interface and Usability: A Survey

Meier¹

2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sustainable Building in Japan – Observations on a Market Transformation Policy

Sunikka-Blank

Iwafune

2011

Env Pol Gov

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite the lack of mandatory thermal requirements in the housing sector, an average Japanese household consumes around one-third of the energy for heating and cooling compared with a UK or German household. Based on a policy analysis and interviews, this paper identifies the concept and policies for sustainable building in Japan considering the characteristics of the building stock and household energy use behaviour. Energy and housing policies are described in terms of regulations, fiscal instruments and labels, and visualized in the context of a market transformation. The research shows that the Japanese policy has a clear preference for market-based instruments. Thermal regulations are limited to large developments only (over 300m2 ) and exclude most of the residential sector. The market transformation is likely to work with appliances, and the Top Runner programme has proved to be an effective policy in making a current market leader a future standard, but the 'scrap and build' housing policy leaves little incentive for energy investments in the building sector; in 24years the resale value of a Japanese home declines to almost zero and the payback time of most environmental measures exceeds the life-cycle of a building. As the implementation of environmental policies is voluntary, and the insulation levels low, the low heating demand per household seem to be due to different behavioural culture. The research concludes the necessity of introducing mandatory thermal regulations in housing in addition to market based instruments in order to gain further savings in the housing sector.

show abstract

A cross-cultural analysis of household energy use behaviour in Japan and Norway

Cited by 316 publications

References 7 publications

Energy comes home

Energy comes home

Thermostat Interface and Usability: A Survey

Sustainable Building in Japan – Observations on a Market Transformation Policy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About