Importance Illustrating three regions of the Russian Federation and the heat pump technology, the research discusses issues of regional markets of energy efficiency goods and services. Currently, heat pumps for heating and cooling of premises are regarded as one of the most cost effective, technologically effective and environmentally friendly methods to increase energy efficiency of the housing and utilities sector. Methods The research was carried out by surveying more than 650 respondents from different regions of Russia and processing the collected data through methods of descriptive, parametric and nonparametric statistics. Results Regional programs provide for energy saving activities and educating the public on energy saving issues, but the activities appear to demonstrate low efficiency. Many people in the regions are willing to use more efficient energy saving technologies so to cut their utilities spending. However, the absence of reliable information makes them believe such technologies are expensive for their personal use. Regional authorities make no contribution to creating favorable conditions for national producers of energy saving equipment to enter the market. Regional energy saving programs are not coordinated with regional and federal programs for development of the manufacturing sector, small and medium-sized businesses. Conclusions and Relevance To improve regional energy saving programs inter alia, I suggest coordinating them with the industrial policy and activities for supporting small and medium-sized businesses. It is also reasonable to alter the substantive part of publicity campaigns promoting more economical methods of energy consumption and open the door for national energy efficient technologies, goods and services to the local market.
Keywords: energy efficiency, heat pump, diffusion barriers, survey, regional energy saving programs
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