A STUDY ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTENTION TO USE SMART METERS. EVIDENCE FROM ROMANIA.

This paper presents an exploratory study that analysis the factors that influence the intention to use smart meters that measure electricity consumption. The authors used the technology acceptance model as a starting point for their research, taking into consideration other eight external variables: social influence, familiarity with smart meter technology, task-technology fit, compatibility, the level of trust in companies that supply electricity, price awareness, energy conservation intentions, and perception of the environmental problems. In this regard, it was developed a questionnaire that was applied to homeowners from a 5-year-old residential complex, from Bucharest, Romania, data being processed and analysed with SPSS statistical software. The results indicated that one of the most important factors that influence the intention to use smart meters is the compatibility with smart meter technology. Also, this study highlighted that price awareness and task-technology fit are also variables that strongly influence the attitude toward using a smart meter in the case of apartment owners from the residential complex. On the other hand, the intention to buy or attitude to use smart meters were not influenced by the level of trust in companies that supply electricity, and familiarity with smart meter technology, the homeowners being more concerned about energy conservation or environmental issues. Based on the results of this pilot study, at the end of the paper, the authors presented indications regarding the future research they will carry out to determine the most complete model of the factors that influence the use of smart meters in residential buildings in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]