Psychological and physiological factors influencing household energy consumption among apartment occupants in major cities of Indonesia

Open

Sri Novianthi Pratiwi, Tetsu Kubota, Hanief Ariefman Sani, Usep Surahman, Muhammad Nur Fajri Alfata

2026 Journal of Building Engineering Vol. 123 Article Cited by 0 SDG 17SDG 7SDG 12 Quartile

Abstract

Over the last few decades, extensive research has been conducted to explore the factors that influence household energy consumption (HEC). The personal characteristics, including preferences for life values, social interaction, living environment and lifestyle, as well as physiological characteristics may have significant impacts on energy consumption decisions, but they remain underexplored. This study aims to explore the relationships between personal factors—both psychological and physiological—and HEC among urban apartment residents in major cities of Indonesia. A large-scale questionnaire survey (n = 3131) was carried out for two major apartment types: public apartments (Rusunawa) and private apartments (Rusunami) and the structures of the influential factors for HEC were depicted comprehensively through a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results indicated that there are substantial differences in HEC structures and average consumption levels between public (low-income) and private (mid-income) apartments, driven mainly by socio-economic conditions, building attributes and contrasting cooling practices. Psychological and physiological factors influenced HEC indirectly by shaping occupant behaviours, comfort satisfaction, and appliance ownership and use, independent of socio-economic and building characteristics. Notably, sociability played a key role: a higher social interaction was associated with lower HEC in the public apartments but higher HEC in the private apartments. These findings highlight the importance of integrating social and community-oriented strategies alongside physical improvements to balance quality of life (QoL) enhancement and energy-saving goals in the developing countries. © 2026 The Authors

Affiliations

Department of Architecture, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia; of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan; Department of Architecture, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia; Division of Building Sciences, Directorate for Buildings and Environments Engineering Development, Ministry of Public Works, Indonesia

Research at a Glance

Premium content — register to unlock

Research at a Glance

Register to unlock

Topics & SDG Alignment

Premium content — register to unlock

Topics & SDG Alignment

Register to unlock

Collaboration

Premium content — register to unlock

Collaboration

Register to unlock

Author Profile (Selected)

Premium content — register to unlock

Author Profile (Selected)

Register to unlock

References Overview

Premium content — register to unlock

References Overview

Register to unlock

Journal & Source

Premium content — register to unlock

Journal & Source

Register to unlock

Metadata & Integrity

Premium content — register to unlock

Metadata & Integrity

Register to unlock