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Household energy consumption represents a significant share of global energy usage, highlighting the importance of understanding the factors that influence energy use and identifying potential strategies for conservation. The Caribbean region faces unique challenges in energy sustainability, driven by its heavy dependence on fossil fuels and rising energy demand. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the current levels of energy awareness and energy consumption among households on the tropical Caribbean island of Curaçao and to determine practical energy-saving opportunities that can significantly reduce both energy consumption and costs. This paper is one of the first to evaluate energy awareness, energy use, and energy-saving opportunities among households in the Caribbean. The study included a literature review of key theories, concepts, and energy-saving strategies, along with a telephone survey of 382 households in Curaçao to examine household energy use, the factors shaping energy behavior, and the connections between energy consumption, behavior, and household income. The main findings of this study reveal that energy-efficient appliances are predominantly used in high-income households, with much lower adoption rates in middle- and low-income households. Cost savings, rather than environmental concerns, emerge as the primary motivation behind energy-saving behavior. Notably, the study highlights that most households in Curaçao are largely unaware of the full range of energy-efficient options available to them for reducing energy consumption. Based on the field study results, several recommendations are offered to enhance energy awareness, expand energy-saving opportunities, and ultimately reduce energy usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) are of significant concern in modern society, as they lead to global warming and consequential environmental and societal changes. The standby energy consumption of appliances in households is considerable and can be up to 15% of the appliance energy consumption in the residential sector. Overall, standby energy consumption is accountable for roughly 1% of total global CO2 emissions. When we contrast this impact on global CO2 emissions with the impact of the transportation sector, standby energy’s contribution is minimal. The transportation sector is responsible for about 24% of the global CO2 emissions arising from the combustion of fuel. Nevertheless, a significant reduction in standby energy consumption in the residential sector is crucial to reduce the CO2 footprint accordingly. This paper is among the first to assess the magnitude of standby energy consumption and to explore options for reducing standby energy consumption in the Caribbean. The Caribbean island Curaçao was taken as a first case study. Based on a field study of 20 households, the standby energy consumption of about 300 appliances were measured. It was estimated that about 8% of residential electricity consumption was linked to standby energy consumption. The average standby power of the 20 households in Curaçao is 50.3 W. Past research shows that it may be possible to reduce the estimated standby energy consumption by approximately 43%, which is about 6.4 MWh/year in Curaçao. Besides adopting technical solutions, the intended reduction of standby energy consumption can be realized through the introduction of import regulations to favor the selling of appliances with lower standby energy consumption and the creation of public awareness through TV and other media campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]