How family structure type affects household energy consumption: A heterogeneous study based on Chinese household evidence

The problem of household energy consumption (HEC) is gradually becoming prominent in the current situation of rough-style energy development. Household structure type plays a vital role in examining HEC heterogeneity. Based on data from the China Integrated Social Survey, this study examined the heterogeneity of household structure type and other factors on HEC through quantile regression. The conclusions show that the education level of household members, income, weekly working hours, days of residence, and home ownership contribute significantly to HEC. In contrast, the average age of the resident population is negatively associated with HEC. In addition, childless households and spouse + parent households have the lowest and highest effects on HEC, respectively, and a neutralizing effect occurs at the higher quartiles of HEC for three-generation households. There is heterogeneity in the impact of HEC among family members of different genders at the same age; the person with the primary consumers of HEC in the household is not always female, and males over 46 years of age replace females in the same age group as the primary consumers of HEC at the high HEC quartile, which is related to the age group. Finally, some policy recommendations were made.

Automated summary

This study examines the heterogeneity of household structure type and other factors on household energy consumption (HEC) using quantile regression. The findings suggest that factors such as education level, income, working hours, residence duration, and home ownership significantly contribute to HEC. There is also an impact of household structure type and age on HEC. Policy recommendations are provided.