Final energy consumption in Lithuania from the household sector perspective

Abstract

The household sector plays a major role in final energy use. Declining household size, increasing overall number of households, growing number of appliances means that household energy will continue to grow in Lithuania. Since 2000 electricity consumption has been increasing by 5% annually and during the period from 2000 to 2007 electricity consumption has risen by 40%, heating energy by 2% in Lithuanian household sector. It is estimated that electricity consumption in Lithuanian household sector will tend to grow. However, government policies aimed at reducing energy use have focused on technical elements rather than changes in behaviour. Informed how to save the energy and to use it efficiently energy consumers could help to reduce energy consumption. Therefore this study aims to analyze the Lithuanian energy consumption and energy saving behaviour in household sector. The research is based on quota sample survey and is backed up with some relevant studies. The results of survey show that 68% of respondents declared that in the last five years their electricity consumption increased, following the most significant increase in number of home appliances (81.4%). Despite rapid energy consumption growth, 60% of respondents in general claimed to be saving energy, 51.3% claimed to be saving the thermal energy for heating. However energy saving was determined by energy prices, incomes, but not by ecological awareness. Only 8.7% of respondents save energy concerning environment pollution, 16 % of respondents save concerning less use of resources. On the purpose to increase energy efficiency in household sector lifestyle changes, environmental education and promotion of energy efficient goods and services is necessary.