On the elasticity of residential energy consumption

The current paper discusses the analysis of the results that emerged from a field study conducted in two consecutive years, aiming at the assessment of the economic recession´s impact on the consumers´ behaviour regarding energy consumption and space heating. The field survey was carried out, by means of interviews with questionnaires, in Northern Greece, an area where there is an increased energy demand for space heating compared to Athens and Southern Greece and hence an intensive need for efficient and effective solutions. The results of the field study, which has been carried out between 2011 and 2013, were analysed in order to identify major tendencies, if any, in the consumers´ behaviour, with respect to the prevailing energy prices and the disposable household income. In that sense determining the degree of elasticity of residential energy consumption can be determined in a bottom-up approach and compared to the national average values for the same period. A further goal was to capture details that are helpful in order to understand technological choices and behavioural patterns when it comes to coping with a lesser income and increased energy costs.