Sustainable symbiosis: navigating green energy purchase intentions and consumer comfort with remotely controlled energy management

PurposeRenewable energy sources and smart devices are options for those wishing to lessen their reliance on fossil fuels. Smart devices in the home also allow energy providers to remotely control energy use (RCEU). However, little is understood about consumer’s perceptions of RCEU programs. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), it is proposed that environmental attitudes, environmental self-identity, green history, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control will predict differences in both purchase intentions and RCEU.Design/methodology/approachData from 692 participants was collected via an online survey of energy consumers. The relationship between study variables was examined using regression analyses.FindingsThe results indicate that environmental attitude, environmental identity, green history and perceived behavioral control are positively related to both purchase intentions and RCEU. The results could have important implications for energy providers, practitioners, energy consumers and citizens interested in environmental issues.Originality/valueAs energy providers consider ways to better manage consumer energy use, RCEU has been used more frequently. However, understanding customer perceptions of RCEU is not well-established in the green energy literature. This paper contributes a first step towards the understanding of RCEU perceptions.