Exploring reasons behind careful-use, energy-saving behaviours in residential sector based on the theory of planned behaviour: Evidence from Changchun, China

Energy-saving behaviours possess great potential for reducing residential energy consumption, which are influenced by various determinants. In this study, we classify the residential energy-saving behaviours into three categories: investment behaviours, control behaviours, and careful-use behaviours. Then, we further investigate the careful-use behaviours within the framework of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) based on the survey data collected in Changchun, China. Structural equation modelling is used to analyse the careful-use behaviours, which emphasise the effect of careful intentions on careful use behaviours and are further influenced by three driving factors, including attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behaviour control (PBC). The outstanding finding of this study is that, in the case of careful-use behaviours, subjective norm is the most important effect, as it differs significantly from previous studies concerning investment behaviours or other types of energy-saving behaviours. Policy implications for improving careful-use behaviours from the subjective norm perspective are provided accordingly. Widely implemented energy knowledge diffusion and energy information publicity are suggested, and a pro-environmental attitude should be improved through education. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.