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Awareness and Utilization of Incentive Programs for Household Energy-Saving Renovations: Empirical Findings from Greece

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  • Spyridon Karytsas

    (Geothermal Energy Department, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), 19th km Marathonos Av., 19009 Pikermi, Greece
    Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University (HUA), El. Venizelou 70, 17671 Kallithea, Greece)

  • Eleni Theodoropoulou

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University (HUA), El. Venizelou 70, 17671 Kallithea, Greece)

Abstract

The Greek policy targeting residential energy efficiency has launched the “Residential Energy Saving” financial incentives program to assist in achieving the goals related to reducing energy use and GHG emissions. Considering the research gaps of previous work, the present study examines the sociodemographic, dwelling, and geographical characteristics, and the environmental awareness and behavior that affect individuals’ (a) actual decision to perform an energy-saving renovation of their dwelling; this has been previously examined, but not in the Greek context, (b) awareness of the incentives program; this has not been addressed in previous research, and (c) utilization of the program; this has not been addressed in previous research. Accordingly, we performed a questionnaire-based survey in Greece in 2019 (n = 451). Based on the development of three binary logistic regression models, it is indicated that the decision to perform an energy-saving renovation is affected by ownership status, year of construction, income, and environmental behavior; awareness is affected by education level, environmental awareness, and residence location; use of the incentives program is affected by residence ownership and year of construction, presence of senior citizens and education level. The study’s results, indicating the determinants of energy-saving renovation decisions and awareness and utilization of financial incentives programs, can assist policymakers in planning financial incentives adapted to different characteristics, thus achieving improved awareness and utilization of such tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Spyridon Karytsas & Eleni Theodoropoulou, 2023. "Awareness and Utilization of Incentive Programs for Household Energy-Saving Renovations: Empirical Findings from Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13923-:d:1243269
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    1. Nikolaos Triantafyllopoulos, 2024. "Investigating Energy Renovation of Multi-Owner Buildings and Real Estate Market Issues in a Degraded Greek Urban Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-33, March.

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