Authors:
Mona Bielig
1
;
2
;
Florian Kutzner
2
;
Sonja Klingert
3
and
Celina Kacperski
2
;
1
Affiliations:
1
University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
;
2
Seeburg Castle University, Seeburgstraße 8, 5201 Seekirchen am Wallersee, Austria
;
3
University of Stuttgart, Keplerstraße 7, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
Keyword(s):
Technology Acceptance, Smart Thermostats, Social Beliefs.
Abstract:
Heating of buildings represents a significant share of the energy consumption in Europe. Smart thermostats that capitalize on the data-driven analysis of heating patterns in order to optimize heat supply are a very promising part of building energy management technology. However, factors driving their acceptance by buildings’ inhabitants are poorly understood although being a prerequisite for fully tapping on their potential. In order to understand the driving forces of technology adoption in this use case, a large survey (N = 2250) was conducted in five EU countries (Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Greece). For the data analysis structural equation modelling based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was employed, which was extended by adding social beliefs, including descriptive social norms, collective efficacy, social identity and trust. As a result, performance expectancy, price value, and effort expectancy proved to be the most important predict
ors overall, with variations across countries. In sum, the adoption of smart thermostats appears more strongly associated with individual beliefs about their functioning, potentially reducing their adoption. At the end of the paper, implications for policy making and marketing of smart heating technologies are discussed.
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