An analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household energy consumption and savings in the context of behavioral economics: The case of Şırnak

The declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic in March 2020 and its rapid spread necessitated a series of measures by various countries to protect their citizens. Measures such as curfews and travel restrictions led people to spend more time at home. This situation is thought to have affected household energy consumption and savings. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on household energy consumption and energy-saving behaviors within the framework of behavioral economics. The sample of the research consists of heads of households (both male and female) residing in the province of Şırnak (n=455). The data were collected using a questionnaire composed of three scales and seven dimensions. Initially, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the reliability and validity of the scales and to develop a measurement model. Subsequently, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the hypotheses developed to examine the relationships among the variables. The results of the analysis indicate that, within the context of behavioral economics, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant and positive impact on household energy consumption behavior and energy-saving behavior. Furthermore, multigroup analysis revealed no significant differences based on gender, marital status, income level, or employment status. However, significant differences were found between groups based on whether individuals had contracted COVID-19, the number of people in the household, age, and whether they held a university degree. Therefore, this study serves as a guiding reference for future research.