ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the “energy conservation” into three subcategories: efficiency investments, better management, and curtailment of amenities or comfort. Consumer perceptions of energy conservation lead to an overemphasis on curtailment and management methods, and neglect of efficiency investments—thus energy conservation is seen as “sacrifice". Every energy conservation measure uses some type of household resource: capital, management effort, or willingness to sacrifice. In addition to the evidence from the two specific studies asking for estimates, other sources report that consumers have practiced more curtailment and less investment than would be predicted on economic grounds. More generally, many studies illustrate noneconomic effects on the consumer energy decisions. Consumers were asked to estimate what proportion of their energy cost was attributed to specific end uses. German consumers underestimate the energy used for heating, and overestimate the energy used for appliances, lighting and cooking.
