Determinants of variation in household energy choice and consumption: Case from Mahabad City, Iran

Abstract

This study seeks to find a method to identify the dominant pattern of energy choice and consumption in households, centering on demographic factors affecting the use of home appliances. To this aim, this study dealt with a variety of energy sources widely used by households, namely, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity, and kerosene for cooking, heating and cooling, lighting, and home appliances. Additionally, significant associations for the household energy choice and consumption were identified for demographic variables including household size, gender, head-of-household age, educational level, and income group. A logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain quantitative data provided by a survey from 821 households across residential districts of urban and rural areas in Mahabad city, northwest Iran. Obtained data were analyzed within a proposed three-energy dimension model (3-ED). The results showed that, in the case of other variables remaining constant, income may lead to variation in LPG and electricity consumption. Unlike other independent variables, the head-of-household age failed to have a significant impact. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of effective factors got household energy choice and consumption in other cities, and they can be useful for the support of policy-makers in their consumption patterns.