An analysis on Consumers’ Introduction Intention to Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS)

Abstract

HEMS attracts attention not only as a system for optimizing energy consumption in home, but also as a system for taking on demand side management (DSM) of electric power. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey on consumers’ intention to use HEMS, and analyzed factors influencing consumer’s introduction intention to HEMS. A descriptive analysis of the survey results allowed us to divide consumer energy saving behavior into eight distinctive types. Multivariate probit analysis showed that the type of consumers’ energy - saving behavior has relevance to demographic factors such as the age of the person, the situation of the family, and the time at home. Also it was found that the degrees of introduction intention to HEMS were greatly influenced by the type of energy saving behavior. Based on the results of this study, we can see how to segment consumers interested in HEMS and can propose HEMS promotion method to them.