Time-Series Change of Residential Energy Consumption Structures

Abstract

This study specifically analyzed changes in energy consumption per household during 1970–2016, presenting evidence that 1996 was the inflection point. In that year, the increase of residential energy consumption per household stopped. Subsequently, its value began to decline. From the following year, the relation of family size and per-capita energy consumption also changed. Energy usage for various applications also showed an inflection point around the same time. A statistical model created based on time-series data also strongly supports that conclusion. The collapse of the bubble economy was merely a trigger of the incident. Occurrence of an inflection point was unavoidable. However, the amount of decrease in energy usage thereafter was greater than predicted from the prior energy consumption structure. The protracted economic downturn raised public anxiety. Consequently, the rate of decrease in energy consumption grew. Effects of the aging population on energy consumption were also examined. Elderly people who lived in the 1970s tended to conserve energy more than young people because of their war experience. In other words, cohorts are important factors affecting energy consumption.