Determinants of Sustainable Energy Consumption in Schools

Abstract

In this paper the energy saving behavior and its impacting determinants in schools are analyzed. There is a large number of research on energy saving behavior in residential buildings. However large fraction of the total energy is consumed in public buildings and schools. The issues of sustainable energy consumption behavior are less studied in these types of buildings. Based on the research on energy consumption in residential buildings the determinants of sustainable energy consumption in schools were classified into three groups: psychological and social; socio-demographic and economic determinants; and contextual determinants. A systematic literature review was conducted for the substantially less investigated schools in terms of efficient energy consumption. According the review of research papers, the most important determinants of energy consumption in schools in terms of their influence on consumption were identified: attitudes; incentives/intentions/motivation; knowledge; awareness.

Keywords

• sustainable energy consumption
• energy saving
• energy saving behavior
• determinants
• schools