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The Impact of User Behavior Based on Energy-Saving Potential of Refrigerators: A Combined Survey and Experimental Analysis with Reference to China

Author

Listed:
  • Lu Qiao

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization, State Administration for Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Jialin Liu

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization, State Administration for Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Jiajia Shao

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization, State Administration for Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Jianhong Cheng

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization, State Administration for Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Yan Bai

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization, State Administration for Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Xue Bai

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization, State Administration for Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

Abstract

Considering the challenges of increasing global energy scarcity and intensifying environmental problems, energy conservation in end-use energy-consuming products has become critical. In this study, we focused on household refrigerators and analyzed the individual characteristics, energy-saving awareness, and usage behaviors of Chinese refrigerator users; discussed the influence of individual characteristics and energy-saving awareness of users on refrigerator usage behavior; and evaluated the energy-saving potential with improved user behavior. The results showed that the energy-saving awareness or usage behavior of refrigerator users requires adjustment and improvement to avoid significant energy wastage. Additionally, a strong correlation was found between education, product energy efficiency level selection, age, and user behavior. Optimizing purchase choices among existing refrigerator energy efficiency grades would result in a national energy-saving potential of up to 9.31 × 10 10 kW·h annually, whereas adjusting the door opening frequency and duration of some users could achieve annual energy savings of 6.14 × 10 10 kW·h and 4.47 × 10 10 kW·h, respectively. This study comprehensively evaluated the energy-saving potential of refrigerators from two aspects: market research and laboratory quantitative analysis. The results highlight that the government, enterprises, and individuals should pay attention to the energy-saving potential of refrigerators and actively take effective measures to promote the realization of the “dual carbon” goal.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Qiao & Jialin Liu & Jiajia Shao & Jianhong Cheng & Yan Bai & Xue Bai, 2025. "The Impact of User Behavior Based on Energy-Saving Potential of Refrigerators: A Combined Survey and Experimental Analysis with Reference to China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:814-:d:1572293
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    References listed on IDEAS

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