A Sociological Analysis on Sustainable Energy Usage and Electricity Consumption in Suburban Households a Case Study

Abstract

The ecological system, system of energy and social systems are interrelated to each other. Electricity is an essential input for all manufacturing systems and a necessity for a majority of households nowadays. Suburbs can be identified as communities, which are having their sub-cultures and ways of life. Sustainable use is about being able to satisfy today's needs, without endangering the capacity of future generations. Hence, it is important to have insights into the above research topic and research problem, 'Is the household electricity usage patterns in suburban households sustainable?' The main objective of this study is to 'evaluate the household electricity usage patterns of suburban households? This study mainly focused on behavioral patterns connected to their household electricity usage. This was an action research, conducted within a suburban community situated around Colombo metropolitan area. Convenient sampling has been used and the case study method has been used as the method of data collection. An environmental sociological, qualitative analysis has been done regarding the research problem. Inappropriate electricity consumption may cause aggravated impacts on the environment, even though electricity has the capacity to improve lifestyles. To be sustainable, electricity systems must recover operating costs, invest for the future, provide reliable electricity and meet environmental and social objectives. Lifestyle could be defined as a non technical parameter, which determines a person's consumption of electricity. While more consideration is given to economic and technological strategies; consideration of behavioral aspects is insufficient. However, electricity usage patterns are connected with the way of life'.