Residential energy conservation: the effects of education and perceived behavioral control

This study examines the effects of values, norms, perceived behavioral control, and education on intentions to save energy and actual energy-saving behaviors among residential energy customers (N = 329). A linear regression with ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates showed that environmental values, energy-saving norms, and perceived behavioral control did not have uniform effects on energy behaviors and the intention to conserve was not significantly correlated with energy-using behaviors. However, there is a link between perceived behavioral control and energy-saving behaviors. Respondents with higher educational attainment had greater intentions to conserve energy and an increased likelihood of engaging in energy-conscious behavior like turning off the television more frequently. Further exploration revealed that a considerable portion of the effect of education was due to the mediating effect of perceived behavioral control and not due to increased pro-environmental values or norms. © 2014, AESS.