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Household energy consumption modeling often focusses on fuel and technology, without taking into account the purposes of using energy. In this study, we examine factors associated with household energy service and home appliance choices from the perspective of energy-related well-being. Using a choice model specification and a microdata for China's urban households from 1986 to 2012, we regress nested combinations of energy service categories on socioeconomic, demographic, and climatic factors. Our results suggest heating and cooling energy services use is more associated with climate than other factors. Demographic factors are more related with access to basic appliances and information services, while the acquisition of advanced appliances is more associated with household income. Exploring the role of income, we find similar relationships with ownership of washing machines, TVs, and refrigerators, while household income has a stronger relationship with the ownership of microwaves, computers, and air conditioners. Our results are informative to the factors that drive home appliance selection decisions and corresponding residential energy demand growth in China. • This study contributes to the understanding of home appliance choices from a perspective of energy service. • We define two board categories of energy services and categorize six typical end services. • We use the longitudinal Chinese household survey microdata from 1986 to 2012. • We identify the drivers of households' decisions regarding appliances across different energy services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people in China still burn low grade solid fuels in traditional stoves to meet their cooking and heating energy demands. This results in significant pollution, affecting the health of especially women and children who are exposed most. The mode of energy consumption and types of stoves in use may change with increasing prosperity. Product specific and socio-economic parameters also influence these choices. We analyze cooking fuel and stove choices in China. Choices are modeled to depend on standard economic variables such as income, technology costs, and fuel prices, along with some variables unique to the developing country setting such as inconvenience costs. Our analysis shows that 24% of the rural and 17% of the urban population will still depend on solid fuels in 2030 under a business as usual scenario. Various policy scenarios that can accelerate transition to modern fuels by 2030 are also analyzed in this paper and their costs, energy, emissions and health impacts assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]