An Empirical Investigation of Factors Influencing Energy Saving Behavior in the Workplace

Buildings are estimated to account for 40% of the EU’s energy consumption. Thus, there is a growing body of research on the behaviors of building users and what influences these. While there has been substantial research on energy saving behavior in households, far less research has focused on the context of non-residential buildings. We report on a study to understand energy saving behaviors in the context of workplace, drawing on the theory of planned behavior. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed on data from employees in a Norwegian organization (N = 251). We find energy concern to be a significant predictor of energy saving behavior at work, and that this relationship is partially mediated by perceived behavioral control. In addition, routinization of energy saving behavior seem to be of great importance for engaging in such behavior also at work.