An Exploratory Study of Energy Conservation Practices in Clothing, Food, and Housing

$\cdot$$\cdot$주별 열에너지 소비절약 실태에 관한 조사연구

  • 강혜원 (연세대학교 생활과학 연구소)
  • Published : 1981.06.01

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine 1) if energy consumption and conservation vary in clothing, food, and housing with independent variables-size of household, homemaker's age, employment, and level of education, level of living, type of house, electricity use, and all energy use, and 2) if there is a correlation among energy conservation practices in clothing, food, and housing. Questionnaires wee given to the randomly selected homemakers in Seoul in July, 1980. Data from 620 responses were analyzed by F-test (Analysis of Variance) and Correlation. The results are as follows: 1. Clothing (1) the scores of the conservation practices I clothing were generally high. /However, it was found that a) they did not practice in wearing heavy under clothes and behavior outer clothing to cope with cool room temperature in the winter, b) they did not use bleach for laundry, but they used boiling method, and c) they did not have enough knowledge on Permanent Press finish. (2) energy conservation practices in clothing were significantly related to level of living and homemakrer's level of education. a) The higher the level of living, the higher scores in the knowledge were found. b) the higher the homeakcer's level of education, the higher scores in the knowledge and ironing were obtained. 2. Food (1) The scores of the conservation practices in food were generally high. However, it was found that scientific cooking methods were not performed such as a) to use measuring spoons, cups, and timers, b) to practice a simple method in using solor energy for warming water, c) to use thermos for the hot water tea or coffee, but they boiled water whenever necessary, and b) to use the pressure cooker whenever possible. (2) Energy conservation practices in food were significantly related to homemaker's employment and type of dwellings. a) The scores of full-time homemakers (not gainfully employed) were higher than gainfully employed homemakers. b) Families in traditional Korean dwellings revealed higher scores than those in apartment or western style dwellings. 3. Housing (1) The scores of the conservation practices in housing were generally high. However, it was found that a) they did not install fans in the kitchen, bathroom, and attic in the summer, b) they did not install a humidifier for tolerating a lower room temperature in the winer, c) they did not practice to make plans for the door of the refrigerator remained open for the shortest time, d) they did not install or use a local lighting with a general lighting for reading and cooking, and e) they usedaluminum foil without the knowledge of the heat reaction of its shiny and dull sides. (2) energy conservation practices in housing were significantly related to homemaker's employment and level of education, economic status, types of dwelling, and all energy use, a) Full-time homeakers had higher scores than gainfully employed homeakers. b) the higher the homemaker's level of education and economics status, the higher scores were obtained. c) Homeakers with their own house scored higher points than those with rented houses. And families in apartment or row houses scored higher points than those in traditional korean or western style dwellings. d) The higher the consumption rate of electricity and all energy, the higher scores were revealed. 4. correlation there was a significant correlation among energy conservation practices I clothing, food, and housing.

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