Examining the magnitude and causes of variation in electricity use in a sample of Indian dwellings with and without air conditioning

Abstract

Understanding the factors that drive the use of residential electricity in India is essential for designing policies that can reduce its expected growth. This study empirically examines the magnitude and causes of variation in electricity use in a sample of Indian dwellings with and without air conditioning (AC), using an interview-based survey approach applied in 41 dwellings located across two cities representing the composite climate of India. Statistical analysis was used to unpack the relationship between electricity use and socio-technical factors. Despite the small sample size and having the same climatological realm, there was a wide variation observed in electricity use by income groups and the presence of ACs. The mean annual residential electricity consumption (REC) was observed to be highest in high-income group dwellings (5,618 kWh/year), followed by middle-income group dwellings (3,870 kWh/year) and lowest in low-income group dwellings (2,169 kWh/year). The mean REC of AC dwellings (4,208 kWh/year) was found to be nearly double that of non-AC dwellings (2,260 kWh/year) with significant seasonal variation. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the presence of ACs, household size (number of occupants), annual non-AC appliance hours, dwelling size (number of rooms) and income group accounted for 80% of the variability in REC across the study sample. Residential energy policy in India should consider these key factors that drive REC. To be effective, such policy programmes need to be customised for different income groups, adopting incentives as well as energy awareness campaigns to influence both purchasing and habitual behaviours.