Abstract

This study investigated the main factors affecting natural gas consumption preference of households in Tokat town of Turkey. Households’ choices for natural gas and other energy alternatives were analyzed using the data collected from a household survey. Descriptive analysis was carried out to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the households. Educational level and career of household head, household size, number of children and number of elderly people in family and child care in house were among the important household characteristics that influence natural gas consumption behaviors. Binary logit model was used to determine the factors affecting natural gas consumption preference of households. These factors were air pollution, housing type, annual temperature, natural gas awareness and house ownership. According to logistic regression model, there were positive and significant correlations between natural gas use preference and air pollution, total annual heating expenses, natural gas awareness of household head and house ownership. On the other hand, natural gas use was significantly lower in apartments.

Key words: Binary logit analysis, natural gas consumption, Turkey.