Promoting energy efficiency in small island states: overcoming barriers to the adoption of compact fluorescent lighting in Saint Lucia

Abstract

The ‘island factor’ refers to a series of shared energy‐related issues that many island nations face due to their isolation and limited population size. Under such conditions, one of the only ways to reduce energy costs for consumers is through energy efficiency – including the use of energy‐saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. This study uses consumer survey data to investigate how awareness, past purchasing behaviour, and demographic characteristics influence Saint Lucian consumers’ intentions to purchase energy‐saving compact fluorescent bulbs. The findings indicate that a lack of awareness and understanding of energy efficiency, combined with high product costs and a lack of product availability currently inhibit the adoption of compact fluorescent technologies by Saint Lucian consumers. Awareness of energy efficiency, income and geographic location are identified as significant factors related to increased use of and willingness to pay for compact fluorescent bulbs. In the discussion, possibilities for public education and cost subsidy for compact fluorescent bulb promotion are proposed.

The sustainable consumer: an in situ study of residential lighting alternatives as influenced by infield education

“…Researchers in other countries have also identified benefits and barriers of adopting sustainable lighting products. A survey in the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia found consumers to be interested in sustainable lighting because of the high cost of electricity (Hamilton and Ashby, 1994; Reynolds, 2003; Reynolds et al ., 2007). The two most frequently mentioned barriers to adoption of CFLs were insufficient information (39%) and high product costs (37%) (Reynolds et al ., 2007).…”

“…A survey in the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia found consumers to be interested in sustainable lighting because of the high cost of electricity (Hamilton and Ashby, 1994; Reynolds, 2003; Reynolds et al ., 2007). The two most frequently mentioned barriers to adoption of CFLs were insufficient information (39%) and high product costs (37%) (Reynolds et al ., 2007). A survey in Lebanon revealed that consumers were somewhat dissatisfied with the light intensity from the CFLs they were given during a national campaign to distribute 1000 CFL bulbs.…”

“…A study of Denmark consumers showed that the main barriers to adoption of sustainable lighting sources were the high costs of CFL bulbs, concern about quality and distrust about the actual benefits of CFLs (Kjaerulf, 1997). Similarly, in several developing countries, the high initial price of the CFLs was one of the main barriers to adoption (Reynolds et al ., 2007).…”

Understanding the Human Factor of the Energy Transition: Mechanisms Underlying Energy-Relevant Decisions and Behaviors

“…For example, studies have examined the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy (see Perlaviciute and Steg, 2014, for a review), subscription to green power tariffs (Tabi et al, 2014), investment in specific energy efficiency technologies such as electric vehicles (Schuitema et al, 2013;Klöckner, 2014;Noppers et al, 2014) or energy efficient light bulbs (Reynolds et al, 2007;Lee et al, 2013), the adoption and use of specific components of smart grids (Sintov and Schultz, 2015), including smart meters (Kaufmann et al, 2013), and specific energy behaviors such as doing your laundry (McCalley and Midden, 2002) or showering O'Leary, 1982-1983). An important question is how these different types of behaviors are related, and how broader lifestyle effects can be realized, including, for example, adoption of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies, changes in everyday energy behavior, investments in refurbishments, and acceptability of energy policy.…”

A study of the impacts of existing artificial optical radiation at student housing sites

“…However, research precedence was found for the utilization of questionnaires to assess the awareness, knowledge, experience, or intentions of participants regarding sustainable lighting [25]. Also, several studies were found regarding the utilization of energy efficient (higher efficacy and longer lived) lighting sources, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFLs), outside of the USA [27][28][29][30][31]. Consumers' attitudes towards LEDs, CFLs and incandescent were examined by Stall-Meadows and Hebert [24] in empirical field research set in museums; this study also utilized student researchers.…”