Title: Consumer preferences in engaging in a sustainable lifestyle

Authors: Salla Annala; Satu Viljainen; Merja Pakkanen; Kristiina Hukki

Addresses: LUT Energy, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' LUT Energy, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' University of Vaasa, Levón Institute, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101 Vaasa, Finland ' VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland

Abstract: Energy industries are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to promoting cleaner electricity generation, increasing attention is paid to households' energy use. This paper investigates how different campaigns, regulations and technological solutions aim to impact households' energy use and what kinds of challenges such initiatives face. A special emphasis is on residents' experiences from an apartment house designed to increase the sustainability of living. The paper presents how the different features (e.g., an energy monitoring system, solar panels) are seen by the residents.

Keywords: consumer behaviour; household energy use; electricity use; in-home displays; energy monitoring; sustainable behaviour; sustainable lifestyles; sustainability; sustainable neighbourhoods; smart homes; sustainable development; campaigns; regulations; technological solutions; solar panels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2016.073411

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2016 Vol.10 No.1, pp.1 - 18

Received: 22 Jan 2014
Accepted: 27 Aug 2014

Published online: 02 Dec 2015 *

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