Determinants of Residential Energy Consumption in Kuwaiti Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Anfal M Aljuwaisri¹Sarah Al-Shamali²Ahmad Alsaber^2,3*

• ¹Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait
• ²Department of Management, College of Business and Economics, American University of Kuwait, 15 Salem Al Mubarak St., Salmiya, Kuwait, Salmiya, Kuwait
• ³American University of Kuwait, Safat, Kuwait

Residential energy consumption in Kuwait is among the highest in the world, largely driven by the prevalence of villa-style housing and extensive reliance on air conditioning under extreme climatic conditions. While previous research has examined household size, occupancy, and thermostat settings, limited attention has been paid to the combined influence of structural and behavioral factors. This study addresses this gap by integrating villa ownership types, renovation practices, and adoption of energy-efficient technologies with constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control). Using cross-sectional survey data from households across Kuwait and applying Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the study provides new insights into how both structural and behavioral determinants interact to shape household energy demand. The findings reveal that villa ownership and renovation practices are critical structural drivers, while Perceived Behavioral Control and Attitude strongly influence energy-saving behaviors, with Subjective Norms playing a more limited role. These results advance the literature by highlighting the importance of contextual socio-economic and policy conditions in Kuwait, where energy subsidies and villa culture shape household consumption differently than in other regions. The study concludes with practical implications for households, government bodies, and the private sector, offering a framework for targeted policies and behavioral interventions that can contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability in the Gulf region.