HOW TO GET THE BIRDS IN THE BUSH INTO YOUR HAND - RESULTS FROM A DANISH RESEARCH-PROJECT ON ELECTRICITY SAVINGS

An effective regulation of electricity demand in the housing sector is not feasible solely via changed signals on pricing. In an extensive r esearch project the possibilities for achieving savings in electricity consumption and the barriers to realizing an effective electricity sa vings policy are investigated. The size of electricity consumption is determined by a wide range of factors in a complex interrelationship. Electricity consumption as a whole can be divided into two parts: soci oeconomic and lifestyle. Via a multiple regression analysis it can be seen that 64% of the variations in consumption can be attributed to th e socioeconomic part of consumption. Besides differences in socioecono mic characteristics there are also differences in lifestyle which are of importance to both the size of electricity consumption and savings efforts. In the investigation, experience in the empirical context has been gained as to how different combinations of applied measures have resulted in savings. Savings of a magnitude of about 10% can thus be demonstrated.