Exploring the drivers and influencing mechanisms of urban household electricity consumption in China-Based on longitudinal data at the provincial level

Urban household Electricity Consumption (UHEC) is receiving more and more attention in terms of energy saving and emission reduction. Currently, China lacks a mature methodology to explore the impacts and mechanisms of UHEC. This study selects physical characteristics, usage, and equipment factors associated with urban domestic dwellings to address these issues to develop an adequate theoretical model. The extended STIRPAT model was used to explore how each factor affects UHEC. Stepwise regression was then used to identify the mechanisms of influence between each factor and UHEC and to investigate the direct and mediating effects between floor area and UHEC. The results show that floor area, urbanization rate, the proportion of older people, per capita income, and unit energy consumption significantly contribute to UHEC. The direct effect of floor area on UHEC reaches 13.5%. GDP per capita and urbanization rate have a strong mediating role, at 47.8% and 28.1%, respectively, and the mediating contribution of unit energy consumption is 11.8%. A more novel factor, namely single-person households, shows a significant masking effect. In summary, this study is cutting-edge and provides a scientific decision and basis for developing household electricity-saving strategies in China and the world.