Public awareness and willingness to adopt ground source heat pumps for domestic heating and cooling

Nowadays, residential heating and cooling are responsible for a significant part of the total global energy consumption. In order to create environmentally friendly buildings, the application of renewable energy technologies is recommended. Such a technology is GSHP(1) systems. This study examined the level of consumers' awareness on this technology, their perception on considering installing such a system, as well as the factors influencing the above issues. According to a logistic regression analysis, knowledge concerning the use of a GSHP system for residential use is positively related to the existence in the residence of a person with an occupation or interests associated to environment, technology or engineering, as well as the awareness about RES2 issues and higher educational level. Also, considering installing a GSHP system is positively related to the existence in the residence of a person with an occupation or interests associated to environment, technology or engineering, awareness on RES and alternative technologies, as well as younger age groups, higher income groups, university and technical vocational education graduates. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.