Different Regions, Differences in Energy Consumption: Do Regions Account for the Variability in Household Energy Consumption?

Abstract

This research aims to discover between-region variability in household energy consumption behaviors, using multilevel modeling with data from Residential Energy Consumption Survey in 2009. Where past research focuses on the physical characteristics of housing, our effort in this research centers on between-region variability and micro-level determinants of residential energy usage. We found significant between-region variability with household energy usage across the U.S. Results suggest that the association between heating degree days and energy consumption varies depending on the type of climate that a household lives in. Further, household energy usage is significantly associated with the race of the householder and income. In the discussion section, we connect this outcome to racial disparities between whites and non-whites in location choice, access to housing, and residential stratification. Moreover, the structure of our research reveals the necessity of multilevel modeling in gaining an accurate picture of residential energy consumption for more efficient energy conservation policy.

The determinant of households’ energy cost in rural area of Yogyakarta

“…Variables which were examined in this research are economic variables, the expenditure of energy by the people. This result is in line with the one has been conducted by [4]- [7]. There are social economic variables included to examine the energy usage such as race, income, customer habit and economic.…”

“…The rural energy usage in Sendangsari village shows the same characteristic, because the people have a homogeny characteristic such as race, culture, and habit. Those variables are found to be influenced the energy usage in China's rural area [4]- [7]. The report of Changing Patterns of Household Expenditures on Energy written by Bacon, Bhattacharya and Kojima (2009) shows the different energy expenditure of urban and rural people in Indonesia.…”

“…The rural energy consumption is influenced by many things, such as the price change of fuel [1]. Other things are social economic factor such as race, culture, and habit [4]- [7] Households have different kind of electrical stuff ownership and energy expenditure [8].…”

Pengaruh Tingkat Pendapatan dan Jumlah Anggota Keluarga Terhadap Konsumsi Gas Elpiji Pada Sektor Rumah Tangga

“…Namun di sisi lain besarnya pendapatan secara signifikan memengaruhi tingkat penggunaan energi (Estiri et al, 2013). Peningkatan konsumsi energi rumah tangga sejalan dengan kenaikan pendapatan rumah tangga (Pitts & Ashby, 2011).…”

A micro‐level data analysis of household energy demand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: An application of linear approximate almost ideal demand system

“…The increase in energy consumption per capita over time is attributed to the increased capital endowment and increased per capita income (Leach et al., 1986). Many studies have found a positive association between household income and modern energy consumption (Bhattacharjee & Reichard, 2011; Cohen et al., 2005; Estiri et al., 2013; Foysal et al., 2012; Gamtessa, 2003; Lenzen et al., 2004). Besides income, energy prices, and household appliance prices are other economic variables that determine energy consumption (Bhattarcharjee & Reichard, 2011).…”