Energyprofiler: a study on the identification of Portuguese residential energy consumer profiles.

Abstract

The energyprofiler study was the first national survey developed in Portugal to collect data regarding individual perceptions, attitudes, competence and patterns of energy consumption in the residential sector. The aim of the study was to identify and characterize the different segments within the Portuguese population based on socio-psychological and demographic factors in order to support the development of policies, programmes and initiatives to promote energy efficiency within households. To promote energy efficiency within households it is important to better understand questions such as: ‘what motivates consumers to save energy’, ‘which are the barriers they encounter’ or ‘which are the best practices they already perform’. Those type of questions were addressed within the energyprofiler project, which was co-financed by ERSE – Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos under the PPEC – Plano de Promoção da Eficiência no Consumo. The Energyprofiler project was developed by Energaia as the project leader in partnership with Factor Social and Terrasystemics. The next sections will present the profiles that could be identified through this study as well as some more specific findings of the national survey to 1.014 Portuguese citizens conducted during the months of January and February 2010.