Between 1973 and 1983 there was a marked increase in reported research concerning consumer behavior and energy use. The present study evaluates this research, identifies those findings judged most significant, and discusses their theoretical and practical implications for the design and marketing of consumer energy conservation policies and programs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonC. Dennis and ClaxtonJohn D. (1979), Impact on Consumer Refrigeration Purchases of Energy Consumption Information at Point of Sale.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
2.
AndersonC. Dennis and CullenCarman W. (1979), Energy Research from a Consumer Perspective: An Annotated Bibliography.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
3.
AndersonC. Dennis and HuttonR. Bruce (1980), An Empirical Assessment of Life Cycle Cost and Alternative Energy Label Formats.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
4.
AndersonC. Dennis and McDougallGordon H.G. (1980), Consumer Energy Research: An Annotated Bibliography, Vol. 1. Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
5.
BeckerLawrence W. (1979), “Joint Effect of Feedback and Goal Setting on Performance: A Field Study of Residential Energy Conservation,”Journal of Applied Psychology63, no. 4, 428–33.
6.
BeckerLawrence W., SeligmanClive, and DarleyJohn M. (1979), Psychological Strategies to Reduce Energy Consumption: Project Summary Report.Princeton, N.J.: Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, Princeton University.
7.
Behavior Research Center, Inc. (1979), Survey of Current and Potential Home Energy Management Activities Among Urban Homeowners in Arizona. Prepared for the Arizona Office of Energy Programs.
8.
BerkowitzMichael K. and Associates (1982), Product Characteristics that Reduce Energy Use: The Case of Automobiles.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
9.
BerkowitzMichael K. and HainesGeorge H. (1981), “Multi-Attribute Analysis of Solar and Other Space Heating Preferences,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger Publishers, 243–50.
10.
BlakelyElbert (1978), “The Effect of Feedback on Residential Electrical Peaking and Hourly Kilowatt Consumption.” Thesis, The School of Graduate Studies, Drake University.
11.
BittleRonald G., ValesanoRobert M., and ThalerGreg A. (1979), “The Effects of Daily Feedback on Residential Electricity Usage as a Function of Usage Level and Type of Feedback Information,”Journal of Environmental Systems9, no. 3, 275–86.
12.
Boston, Gilbert, Henry Associates (1980), “An Energy Analysis of Consumer Products Packaging,”Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
13.
California Energy Commission (1982), “The Measurement and Evaluation of the Energy Conservation Potential in California Residential Sector,” Sacramento, Calif.
14.
CavesDouglas W. and ChristensonLaurits R. (1979), Residential Substitution of Off-Peak for Peak Electricity Usage Under Time-of-Use Pricing: An Analysis of 1976 and 1977 Summer Data from the Wisconsin Experiment.Madison: Social Systems Research Institute, University of Wisconsin.
15.
ClaxtonJohn D. and AndersonC. Dennis (1981), Producer, Retailer, and Consumer Perspectives on Canada's Energy Labelling Program for Major Appliances.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
16.
ClaxtonJohn D., McDougallGordon H.G., and RitchieJ.R. Brent (1980), Annotated Directory of Energy Conservation Programs, University of British Columbia: Behavioral Energy Research Group.
17.
CorneyWilliam J., NixonJohn E., and YantisBetty (1981), “Centralized Electricity Control,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 224–30.
18.
CraigC. Samuel, and McCannJohn M. (1977), “Communicating Energy Conservation Information to Consumers: A Field Experiment,” in Research Frontiers in Marketing: Dialogues and Directions, 1978 Educators’ Proceedings, JainS.C., ed. Chicago: American Marketing Association, 432–36.
19.
CraigC. Samuel (1978a), “Assessing Communication Effects on Energy Conservation,” Journal of Consumer Research5, 82–89.
20.
CraigC. Samuel (1978b), “The Impact of Persuasive Communications on Energy Conservation,” Energy Systems and Policy2, 433–47.
21.
CrossleyDavid J. (1979), “The Role of Popularization Campaigns in Energy Conservation,”Energy Policy17, no. 1 (March), 57–68.
22.
Decision Research Ltd. (1982), An Initial Evaluation of the Canada Oil Substitution Program: Converter and Nonconverter Profiles.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
23.
DeutscherTerry and MunroHugh (1980), The Role of Home Energy Habits in Facilitating Residential Retrofits.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
24.
DyerRobert F. (1981), “Direct Control of Household Electricity,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 231–41.
25.
EllisPeter and GaskellGeorge (1978), “A Review of Social Research on the Individual Energy Consumer.” Working paper, Department of Social Psychology, The London School of Economics and Political Science, England.
26.
Elrick and Lavidge, Inc. (1977), “Attitudes and Opinions of Electric Utility Customers Towards Peak Load Conditions and Time-of-Day Pricing,”Palo Alto, Calif.: Electric Research Institute.
27.
EsterPeter and WinettRichard A. (1981–82), “Towards More Effective Antecedent Strategies for Environmental Programs,”Journal of Environmental Systems11, no. 3, 201–22.
28.
FenwickIan, (1982), Identifying Innovators and Early Adopters of Energy Conservation Products.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
29.
GaskellGeorge, EllisPeter, and PikeR. (1981), “Effects of Consumption Feedback,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 251–61.
30.
GellerE. Scott (1981), “Evaluating Energy Conservation Programs: Is Verbal Report Enough?”Journal of Consumer Research8, 331–35.
31.
HanniganS.R. and KingP. (1982), “Residential Conservation Programs at Pacific Power and Light Company: Models, Forecasts, and Assessments,” in Workshop Proceedings: Measuring the Effects of Utility Conservation Programs.Palo Alto, Calif.: Electric Power Research Institute, 1–1 to 1–25.
32.
HardinGarrett (1968), “The Tragedy of the Commons,”Science162, 1234–48.
33.
HeberleinThomas A. (1975), “Conservation Information: The Energy Crisis and Electricity Consumption in an Apartment Complex.”Energy Systems and Policy1, 105–18.
34.
HeberleinThomas A., LinzDaniel, and OrtizBonnie P. (1981), “Time of Day Electricity Pricing” in Consumers and Energy Conservation: International Perspectives on Research and Policy Options, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 262–70.
35.
HirstEric and BerryL. (1982), “Summary,”Workshop Proceedings: Measuring the Effects of Utility Conservation Programs.Palo Alto, Calif.: Electric Power Research Institute, S–1 to S–9.
36.
HirstEric and LazarePeter (1981), “Minnesota Computerized Home Energy Audit Program,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation: International Perspectives on Research and Policy Options, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 262–70.
37.
HirstEric, MaierRobert, and PattonMichael (1980–81), “Evaluation of Telephone Energy Conservation Information Centers in Minnesota,”Journal of Environmental Systems10, no. 3, 229–48.
38.
HuttonR. Bruce (1982), “Advertising and the Department of Energy's Campaign for Energy Conservation,”Journal of Advertising11, no. 2, 27–39.
39.
JohnsonB. (1981), “An Air-Tight Case for Low Energy,”Globe and Mail, Nov. 25, 7.
40.
KatzevRichard and BachmanWallace (1982), “The Effects of Deferred Payment and Fare Manipulations on Urban Bus Ridership,”Journal of Applied Psychology67, no. 2, 83–88.
41.
KatzevRichard, CooperLaura, and FisherPat (1980), “The Effects of Feedback and Social Reinforcement on Residential Electricity Consumption,”Journal of Environmental Studies, forthcoming.
42.
KellerGerald and McDougallGordon H.G. (1981), A Survey of the Canadian Public's Attitudes Towards the Energy Situation.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
43.
KellerGerald (1982), A Survey of the Canadian Public's Attitudes Towards the Energy Situation.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
44.
Leonard-BartonDorothy (1981), “Diffusion of Energy Conservation and Techniques,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 243–50.
45.
MayerLawrence S. and HorowitzCynthia E. (1979), “The Effect of Price on the Residential Demand for Electricity: A Statistical Study, Energy4, 87–89.
46.
McClellandLou and CanterRachelle J. (1981), “Psychological Research on Energy Conservation: Context, Approaches, Methods,” in Advances in Environmental Psychology, vol. 3, Andrew Baum and Jerome E. Singer, eds. Hillsdale, N.J.: Laurence Erlbaum Associates, 1–26.
47.
McClellandLou and CookStuart (1979), “Energy Conservation Effects of Continuous In-Home Feedback in All-Electric Homes,”Journal of Environmental Systems9, 169–73.
48.
McDougallGordon H.G. and AndersonC. Dennis (1982), Consumer Energy Research: An Annotated Bibliography, Vol. 11. Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
49.
McDougallGordon H.G., ClaxtonJohn D., and RitchieJ.R. Brent (1982–83), “Residential Home Audits: An Empirical Examination of the ENER$AVE Program,”Journal of Environmental Systems12 (3), 265–78,
50.
McDougallGordon H.G., ClaxtonJohn D., and AndersonC. Dennis (1981), “Consumer Energy Research: A Review,”Journal of Consumer Research8 (Dec.), 343–54.
51.
McDougallGordon H.G. and KellerG. (1981), Energy: Canadians’ Attitudes and Reactions (1975–80).Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
52.
McDougallGordon H.G. and MunroHugh (1980), “Consumer Behavior and Energy: Some Methodological Issues,” in ASAC Marketing, JonesVernon J., ed. Universite de Quebec, 258–69.
53.
McDougallGordon H.G. and RitchieJ.R. Brent (1979), “Consumer Energy Conservation: A Framework for Policy Research,” in Advances in Consumer Research, Vol. VI, OlsonJerry C., ed. San Francisco: Association for Consumer Research.
54.
McDougall (1984), “Consumer Energy Conservation Policy: An Analytic Approach,”Energy Policy (in press).
55.
McDougall and ClaxtonJohn D. (1979), “Energy Consumption and Conservation Patterns in Canadian Households,” Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
56.
McNeillDennis L. and HuttonR. Bruce (1981), “Marketing Incentives and Energy Conservation,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 271–79.
57.
McNeillDennis L. and WilkieWilliam L. (1979), “Public Policy and Consumer Information: Impact of the New Energy Labels,”Journal of Consumer Research6, 1–11.
58.
MeierAlan K. (1979), “Measuring Residential Energy Consumption,” in Changing Energy Use Futures, FazzolareR.A., , eds. New York: Pergamon Press, 224–30.
59.
MillerDavid R. (1980), “Energy Conservation Through Enforcement of Mandatory Energy Codes,”ASHRAE Journal22, no. 6 (June), 53–55.
60.
MuftiRasin K. and MunsonMichael J. (1978), “Approach to Assessing the Impact of Energy Conservation Policies on Transportation Demand,”Transportation Research Record.Washington: National Academy of Sciences, 1–7.
61.
National Energy Program (1980), Ottawa, Canada.
62.
NemetzPeter, HankeyMarilyn, and ZethoffBert (1980), Economic Incentives for Energy Conservation at the Consumer Level in Canada.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
OlsenMarvin E. and GoodrightJill A. (1977), Social Aspects of Energy Conservation, Northwest Energy Policy Project Report for the Pacific Northwest Regional Commission, Portland, Oregon.
65.
OlsenMarvin E. and JoergesBernward (1981), “The Process of Promoting Consumer Energy Conservation: An International Perspective.” Discussion paper, International Institute for Environment and Society.
66.
PhillipsNicolas and ElsonElizabeth (1976), “Energy Savings in Private Households—an Integrated Research Programme,”Journal of the Market Research Society18, 4, 180–200.
67.
PindyckRobert S. (1979), “The Characteristics of the Demand for Energy,” in Energy Conservation and Public Policy, SawhillJ.C., ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 46–78.
68.
PittsRobert E. and WittenbackJames L. (1981), “U.S. Residential Energy Tax Credit,” in Consumers and Energy Conservation, ClaxtonJohn D., AndersonC. Dennis, RitchieJ.R. Brent, and McDougallGordon H.G., eds. New York: Praeger, 280–85.
69.
ReichelDavid A. and GellerE. Scott (1981), “Applications of Behavioral Analysis for Conserving Transportation Energy,” in Advances in Environmental Psychology, vol. 3, BaumAndrew and SingerJerome E., eds. Hillsdale, N.J.: Laurence Erlbaum Associates, 53–92.
70.
RitchieJ.R. Brent (1980), Leisure Activities and Energy Consumption: A Review.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
71.
RitchieJ.R. Brent, McDougallGordon H.G., and ClaxtonJohn D. (1981a), “Complexities of Household Energy Consumption and Conservation,” Journal of Consumer Research8 (Dec.), 233–42.
72.
RitchieJ.R. Brent (1981b), Consumer Energy Conservation Options: Professional and Consumer Perspectives.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
73.
RitchieJ.R. Brent, ClaxtonJohn D., and VosburghRichard E. (1981), Leisure Satisfaction and Energy Conservation.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
74.
RoseA.B. (1981), “Vanpool Energy Efficiency: A Reevaluation and Comparison with a Brokered Carpooling Concept,”Transportation Research Record, no. 815, 41–47.
75.
RoseH.S. and HindsD.M. (1976), “South Dixie Highway Contraflow Bus and Car-Pool Lane Demonstration Project.”Transportation Research Record, no. 606, 18–22.
76.
RudeliusWilliam, WeijoRichard, and DodgeGary (1984), “Marketing Energy Conservation to Homeowners: An Action Program from Public Policy Research,”Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, vol. 3, 149–66.
77.
RussoJ. Edward (1977), “A Proposal to Increase Energy Conservation Through Provision of Consumption and Cost Information to Consumers,”American Marketing Association Proceedings91, 437–42.
78.
SchumanS.P. (1982), “Discussion of Program Evaluation Effects.” Albany, N.Y.: New York State Energy Office.
79.
SeligmanClive, KrissJ., DarleyJohn M., FrazioR.H., BeckerLawrence W., and PryorJ.B. (1976), Psychological Strategies to Reduce Energy Consumption: First Annual Progress Report, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Center for Environmental Studies (Nov.), report no. 41.
80.
ShippeeGlenn (1980), “Energy Consumption and Conservation Psychology: A Review and Conceptual Analysis,”Environmental Management4, 297–314.
81.
SternPaul C. and GardnerGerald T. (1981), “Psychological Research and Energy Policy,”American Psychologist36, 329–42.
82.
SternPaul C., BlackJ. Stanley, and ElworthJulie T. (1981), Home Energy Conservation.Mount Vernon, N.Y.: Institute for Consumer Policy Research.
83.
TiendaMarta and AborampahOsei-Mensah (1981), “Energy-Related Adoptions in Low-Income Nonmetropolitan Wisconsin Counties,”Journal of Consumer Research8 (Dec.), 265–70.
84.
VerhallenTheo M.M. and RaaijVan, FredW. (1981), “Household Behavior and the Use of Natural Gas for Home Heating,”Journal of Consumer Research8 (Dec.), 253–57.
85.
WalkerJames M. (1980), “Voluntary Response to Energy Conservation Appeals,”Journal of Consumer Research7 (June), 88–91.
86.
WhartonJ.D., CullenCarman W., FenwickIan, HeelerRoger, and SimmiePatricia (1982), An Investigation of Consumer Perceptions Relating to the Diffusion of Domestic Automatic Conserving Devices.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
87.
WehrungDonald A. (1980), Space Heating in the Residential Sector: Household Thermal Efficiency and the Need for Upgrading.Ottawa, Can.: Consumer and Corporate Affairs.
88.
WilliamsR.H. and RossM. (1980), “Drilling for Oil in Our Houses,”Technology Review March/April, 24–36.
89.
WinettRichard A., KazelJohn H., BattalioRaymond C., and WinklerRobin C. (1978), “Effects of Monetary Rebates and Daily Feedback and Information on Residential Electricity Conservation,”Journal of Applied Psychology63, 73–80.
90.
WinklerRobin C. and WinettRichard A. (1982), “Behavioral Interventions in Resource Conservation,”American Psychologist37, no. 4 (April), 421–35.
