Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes

Introduction: Residential energy consumption in Kuwait ranks among the highest globally, largely due to villa-style housing and intensive air conditioning use under extreme climatic conditions. While prior studies have explored factors such as household size, occupancy, and thermostat settings, the...

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Main Author: Aljuwaisri, Anfal M. (author)
Other Authors: Al-Shamali, Sarah (author), Alsaber, Ahmad (author)
Format: article
Published: 2025
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11675/14395
https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020595545
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author Aljuwaisri, Anfal M.
author2 Al-Shamali, Sarah
Alsaber, Ahmad
author2_role author
author
author_facet Aljuwaisri, Anfal M.
Al-Shamali, Sarah
Alsaber, Ahmad
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Aljuwaisri, Anfal M.
Al-Shamali, Sarah
Alsaber, Ahmad
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-10-16
2026-06-03T08:03:02Z
2026-06-03T08:03:02Z
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 10.3389/fenrg.2025.1561829
http://hdl.handle.net/11675/14395
https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020595545

dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Frontiers Media SA
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv Department of Marketing- CBE
Frontiers in Energy Research
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
description Introduction: Residential energy consumption in Kuwait ranks among the highest globally, largely due to villa-style housing and intensive air conditioning use under extreme climatic conditions. While prior studies have explored factors such as household size, occupancy, and thermostat settings, the combined impact of structural and behavioral determinants remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by integrating villa ownership types, renovation practices, and energy-efficient technology adoption with constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among households across Kuwait. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between structural and behavioral determinants of residential energy consumption. The model incorporated both tangible factors (e.g., villa ownership, renovation behavior) and psychological constructs influencing energy-saving intentions and actions. Results: The analysis revealed that villa ownership and renovation practices significantly influence household energy demand, serving as key structural drivers. Among behavioral constructs, Perceived Behavioral Control and Attitude had strong positive effects on energy-saving behaviors, whereas Subjective Norms exhibited a weaker influence. The results underscore the interplay between contextual housing characteristics and individual behavioral factors in shaping consumption. Discussion and Conclusion: Findings highlight that energy consumption patterns in Kuwait are deeply rooted in socio-economic and cultural contexts, particularly villa culture and subsidized energy pricing, which differentiate Kuwait from other regions. The study advances understanding of residential energy behavior by linking physical housing attributes with behavioral constructs. Practical implications are offered for households, policymakers, and private-sector stakeholders, outlining strategies for targeted energy-efficiency interventions and sustainable behavioral change in the Gulf region.
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identifier_str_mv 10.3389/fenrg.2025.1561829

network_acronym_str AUKR
network_name_str AU Kuwait Rep
oai_identifier_str oai:dspace.auk.edu.kw:11675/14395
publishDate 2025
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Frontiers Media SA
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
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spelling Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homesAljuwaisri, Anfal M.Al-Shamali, SarahAlsaber, AhmadIntroduction: Residential energy consumption in Kuwait ranks among the highest globally, largely due to villa-style housing and intensive air conditioning use under extreme climatic conditions. While prior studies have explored factors such as household size, occupancy, and thermostat settings, the combined impact of structural and behavioral determinants remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by integrating villa ownership types, renovation practices, and energy-efficient technology adoption with constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among households across Kuwait. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between structural and behavioral determinants of residential energy consumption. The model incorporated both tangible factors (e.g., villa ownership, renovation behavior) and psychological constructs influencing energy-saving intentions and actions. Results: The analysis revealed that villa ownership and renovation practices significantly influence household energy demand, serving as key structural drivers. Among behavioral constructs, Perceived Behavioral Control and Attitude had strong positive effects on energy-saving behaviors, whereas Subjective Norms exhibited a weaker influence. The results underscore the interplay between contextual housing characteristics and individual behavioral factors in shaping consumption. Discussion and Conclusion: Findings highlight that energy consumption patterns in Kuwait are deeply rooted in socio-economic and cultural contexts, particularly villa culture and subsidized energy pricing, which differentiate Kuwait from other regions. The study advances understanding of residential energy behavior by linking physical housing attributes with behavioral constructs. Practical implications are offered for households, policymakers, and private-sector stakeholders, outlining strategies for targeted energy-efficiency interventions and sustainable behavioral change in the Gulf region.Frontiers Media SA2026-06-03T08:03:02Z2026-06-03T08:03:02Z2025-10-16Articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/article10.3389/fenrg.2025.1561829http://hdl.handle.net/11675/14395https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020595545Department of Marketing- CBEFrontiers in Energy Researchoai:dspace.auk.edu.kw:11675/143952026-06-10T12:20:38Z
spellingShingle Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
Aljuwaisri, Anfal M.
status_str publishedVersion
title Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
title_full Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
title_fullStr Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
title_short Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
title_sort Determinants of residential energy consumption in Kuwaiti homes
url http://hdl.handle.net/11675/14395
https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020595545