Factors Affecting Domestic Electricity Usage with Reference to Colombo, Gampaha, and Rathnapura Districts, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Currently, Sri Lanka is facing a major economic crisis. In the face of this economic crisis, it is clear that the government has failed to provide the necessary facilities for individuals to carry out their daily activities properly. It has become a challenge for the institutions as well as the industrial sector to carry out their work in an atomic manner through the daily electricity disruptions. Due to the inefficiency of electricity consumption in Sri Lanka, the amount of electricity wasted annually is very high. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find factors affecting electricity consumption in domestic applications in order to reduce the wastage of electricity. For achieving the objective, three cities of Colombo, Gampaha, and Rathnapura were selected using the cluster sampling method. Accordingly, the total sample was 75. A questionnaire and interview methods were used to collect data. Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used for the data analysis. The findings revealed that the number of family members, the size of the house, the income, the use of Florence bulbs, living in a rented house, and the use of electrical appliances contribute to the increase in household electricity consumption. Considering those factors that are affecting domestic electricity consumption, the government, focusing on sustaining electricity consumption and providing necessary facilities to consumers, should take necessary steps.