Dwelling, Habits, and Possessions: Clustering Turkey’s Household Energy Choices through Responsible Consumption and Poverty

Abstract

Household energy consumption is influenced by a variety of factors, including climate, demographics, and socio-economic conditions. This study is a review based on clustering analysis of data from the 2019 Household Budget Survey in Turkey, and explores the role of dwelling structure, household habits, and possessions as indicators of energy patterns and preferences within distinct household groups contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 7, and 12. The data analysis identifies three distinct clusters with specific features that set them apart. The Urban Majority cluster represents densely populated urban areas where natural gas is a preferred fuel source, and parquet and ceramic tiles are common flooring materials. The Deprived-like Remote Residents cluster portrays areas with less access to natural gas, where wood and coal are frequently used for heating, and the Urban Comfort-Seekers cluster highlights urban areas with high comfort levels, featuring natural gas, floor heating, and various amenities. These clusters reflect energy consumption patterns and social aspects related to poverty and habits. They indicate that Turkey’s energy preferences are closely linked to accessibility, user-friendliness, and affordability. Urban households prioritize comfort, while rural areas are more resource-constrained, and contextual factors like location and possessions play a vital role in energy preferences.

1. Introduction

Household energy consumption constitutes a substantial component of global energy consumption [1,2]. Household energy demand is mostly explained by climate and building attributes; however, resident behavior and socio-economic considerations also significantly influence it [3]. Demographics and household characteristics, such as household income, age, household size, residence size, and home time [4,5], and additionally, consumption-related factors like consumer knowledge, the affordability of energy-efficient equipment, positive experiences, and societal status also play a role in determining energy consumption [4].

The daily patterns of energy consumption are influenced and regulated by customary aspects of daily living including both small-scale and large-scale systems present in our physical surroundings [6]. However, most encounters with energy-consuming devices in daily life occur without a deliberate awareness of energy usage. As an example, electrical energy demand is attributed to appliances in houses, amounting to about 20–30% of total household energy use [7]. Moreover, as household income rises, there is an anticipated increase in the ownership of high-powered appliances such as microwaves, air conditioners, electric stoves, and washing machines. Consequently, this will result in a greater proportion of electricity usage [8]. Hence, the electricity consumption in residential buildings is impacted by the variety and quantity of appliances, the construction of the dwellings, as well as the usage patterns of the residents [7,8,9]. While the choice of domestic items directly affects energy use, the dwelling structure indirectly impacts energy usage by influencing aspects such as energy insulation. For instance, installing false floors and false ceilings made of concrete or stone significantly decreases thermal inertia [10]. Building energy efficiency is enhanced through measures such as enhanced thermal insulation and construction techniques, resulting in the improved thermal and energy efficiency of residential buildings [11]. In nations with distinct demographics, social structures, and economic conditions like Turkey, these commodities and consumption patterns can also be interpreted as indicators of poverty. The ownership of domestic items and the structure of the dwelling not only influence energy consumption preferences but also indicate household poverty.

Therefore, an examination of the dwelling structure and household objects can provide insights into the energy consumption and poverty level of households. Energy consumption can be inferred from the presence or absence of fundamental necessities such as hot water and toilets, in addition to providing information on poverty. However, it is also pertinent to consider the presence or absence of high-energy-consumption household items when considering responsible consumption. Responsible consumption and decreasing poverty are closely connected in driving the adoption of renewable energy. Recent research indicates that energy poverty significantly impacts poverty rates and the availability of clean and affordable energy [12,13]. It is imperative to tackle energy poverty in order to guarantee universal access to clean and affordable energy, which is a fundamental aspect of Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years, there has been a shift from traditional metrics that solely focused on economic data towards more comprehensive energy poverty assessment indices. The evaluation of energy poverty should encompass all aspects of sustainable development and employ composite metrics [14]. While there is no agreement on a specific method of assessing energy poverty [12], research indicates that energy poverty is linked to the financial stability of households, thermal comfort, health, and quality of life [15,16,17]. Furthermore, it has been observed that households lacking access to energy face health issues [18]. A more comprehensive poverty indicator listing is identified by Siksnelyte-Butkiene [14] as follows:

• Income indicators;
• Expenditure indicators;
• Energy price indicators;
• Energy consumption indicators;
• Household characteristics indicators (age, social class, ownership);
• Dwelling characteristics indicators (type, efficiency);
• Comfort indicators;
• Access to the energy indicators.

This study is predicated on the notion that domestic objects and the structure of dwellings can provide insight into the energy consumption and poverty levels of Turkish households. If this framework produces discernible patterns, then the convergence of these discernible patterns will unite households into specific clusters as social organizations. Social organizations operate through interdependent processes and structures. They are not static, fixed structures; rather, they consist of ever-changing patterns of relationships within a much broader domain of social activity [19] (p. 1). Thus, these clusters represent the social organization of consumption, offering valuable insights into the ways in which energy consumers exert influence over energy flows through their interactions with buildings, appliances, and environments [20]. Considering the availability of domestic items and dwelling structures, this study delineates household clusters in Turkey. This approach allows us to use labels to define structured behavior, providing analytical and conceptual frameworks [20].

In general, formal models of household energy choices in the literature have demonstrated shortcomings, including the disregard for consumer diversity, the higher discount rates experienced by impoverished individuals, and the existence of differing preferences [21]. Research should prioritize the accommodation and comprehension of diverse and particular energy usage patterns including lifestyle and practices, rather than relying on general averages [22,23]. Hence, this study further emphasizes the need to consider household habits. Our interactions with technology and energy-consuming devices are greatly influenced by habits [6], and habits could be the predictors of energy consumption [24]. While household habits are helpful in utilizing domestic items, they are also connected to the dwelling structure. The interaction between dwelling systems and designs and behavior patterns influences energy consumption [20]. Furthermore, the combination of these elements will enable us to make remarks regarding the lifestyle of the clusters. Hence, energy usage is inherently linked to one’s lifestyle [20]. Gaining insight into the relationship among energy usage, lifestyles, and standard of living is crucial for policymakers in order to attain development objectives and enhance energy efficiency [25].

For this reason, this study is a review that seeks to uncover the extent of variation in energy preferences among households in Turkey, using data from the 2019 Household Budget Survey. This survey is a nationally representative study conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), which includes information such as housing, domestic items, means of transportation, and consumption habits. After 2019, the Household Budget Survey was not carried out in subsequent years due to the impracticability of conducting face-to-face surveys as a result of the pandemic. Hence, the dataset for 2019 is the most recent and all-encompassing dataset available prior to the onset of the pandemic. The period leading up to 2019 also exhibits a characteristic that reveals current tendencies. The alterations observed following the pandemic were discerned within these patterns. Hence, it is crucial to disclose the current framework to ascertain the alteration. Furthermore, the repercussions of the pandemic are still ongoing. Therefore, despite the emergence of novel consumption behaviors, it is believed that additional time is required to fully comprehend and analyze the new patterns. Consequently, it is deemed imperative to conduct the investigation utilizing data from 2019. Although dwelling structure and possessions are favored due to their connection with energy consumption, the distinctive contribution of this study is the examination of household habits as indicators of people’s comfort zones.

This study aims to determine whether household habits, dwelling structures, and possessions can serve as indicators of energy patterns and possession preferences within defined household groups. When considering habits, it is important to consider daily habits such as purchasing newspapers or eating out. This will provide a shift from an emphasis on economics to an emphasis on social aspects, aiming to uncover patterns of behavior and preferences. Therefore, we will examine poverty indicators and household characteristics that influence energy preferences holistically. We also seek to identify the nature of the relationship between these factors and to analyze the results within the framework of SDG1, No Poverty, SDG7, Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG12, Responsible Consumption and Production.

2. Materials and Methods

This study utilizes the 2019 Household Budget Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), which includes individual and household data sets from Turkey. The Household Budget Survey offers data on socio-economic structures, living standards, and the consumption patterns of households. This information is utilized to assess the effectiveness of the socio-economic policies being put into action. Although the data being from 2019 may appear to be a drawback, it is crucial since it represents the most recent dataset capturing the pre-pandemic scenario, given the challenges faced in collecting data in person during the pandemic. The primary objective of the survey is to systematically track and analyze the evolving consumption patterns and structure of households. These data are crucial for accurately estimating the private final consumption expenditure in national income calculations. Additionally, the survey provides essential information for conducting studies on minimum wage determination and socio-economic analysis, such as establishing the expenditure-based poverty line.

This survey was conducted monthly, with a sample size of 1296 families, and a valid total of 11,521 households were included in the study over the course of a year, from 1 January to 31 December 2019. The primary sample frame employed for selecting blocks, which serves as the initial stage sampling unit, is the National Address Database. Blocks were chosen from urban and rural areas and villages based on the settlement’s size, and households were selected methodically from each block. TUIK employed a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique in the survey. Data from houses were gathered through interviews, recordings, and observations. Throughout the survey month, the TUIK researchers recorded and interviewed the sample household to gather information on their consumption expenditures. This included expenses related to food, clothing, health, transportation, communication, education, culture, entertainment, housing, and household goods. The researchers obtained these data from the record book provided by the household. Household data encompass information about the state of dwellings, the presence of household products and facilities (The items possessed are exclusive of items maintained in dwellings other than the primary residence, including vacation houses and similar structures.), the ownership of transportation vehicles, and characteristics related to real estate ownership. Conversely, the individual data set includes information on household composition, economic activity status, employment status, income, and types of income factors.

This study incorporates the following variables from the household and individual data sets for analysis:

• Household Dwellings: Ground of lounge, ground of rooms, ground of kitchen, ground of bathroom, heating system, fuel types (first order, second order, third order), fuel type kitchen, fuel type hot water, bathroom existence, sauna existence, jacuzzi existence, toilet existence, kitchen existence, waste disposer existence, central heating existence, floor heating existence, piped water system existence, natural gas ownership, hot water existence, cable broadcasting (TV) existence, elevator existence, garage existence, swimming pool existence, generator existence, security guard/system existence, balcony existence, garden existence, kindergarten existence.
• Domestic Items: Number of phone subscriptions, mobile phones, computers, internet service subscription, LCD or plasma TV, satellite antenna, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, microwave stove, washing machine, dryers, carpet cleaners, air conditioners, game consoles, automobiles, motorcycles, sea crafts, electric bicycles.
• Daily Habits: Having a smoker in the household, having a person with an alcohol habit, eating out for lunch or dinner, who has the habit of buying daily newspapers, who has the habit of buying monthly/weekly magazines, who has the habit of going to the cinema, theater, sports competitions, who pays for a TV subscription, who participates in sports, entertainment, cultural activities by paying a fee, who plays gambling games such as numerical lotto, lottery, etc., who has the habit of going to coffee houses, cafes, taverns, etc., with private life insurance, using credit card in the household and household habits of going to the bazaar for shopping and of shopping online.

The analysis of the variables in the individual and household data sets reveals an association between SDG1, No Poverty, and the presence or absence of essential necessities such as a toilet, kitchen, and bathroom. In the absence of these foundational facilities, it is presumed that the household is living in poverty. The absence or presence of variables beyond foundational necessities, such as private security, jacuzzies, and waste disposal, are regarded as indicators of prosperity and comfort and are evaluated in accordance with SDG12, Responsible Consumption and Production. Although the utilization of facilities like saunas and jacuzzi is considered a form of luxury consumption, it also leads to excessive energy usage. In contrast, systems such as natural gas and underfloor heating are indicative of a more comfortable way of living. The investigation will determine if combining the aspects of a comfortable and luxury lifestyle leads to irresponsible consuming behavior with regard to energy choices. The heating system, primary fuel preferences, and energy preferences for the kitchen and hot water were also examined in the context of SDG7, Affordable and Clean Energy, within the energy preferences variables (

Table 1. Variables included to represent SDG1, SDG12, and SDG7.

SDG 1 No Poverty	SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production	SDG7 Affordable and Clean Energy
Bathroom existence	Sauna existence	Heating system
Toilet existence	Jacuzzi existence	Fuel type 1
Kitchen existence	Waste disposer existence	Fuel type 2
Hot water existence	Central heating existence	Fuel type 3
Balcony existence 1	Floor heating existence	Fuel type kitchen
Garden existence 2	Piped water system existence	Fuel type hot water
	Natural gas
	Cable broadcasting (TV) existence
	Elevator existence
	Garage existence
	Swimming pool existence
	Generator existence
	Security guard/system existence
	Garden existence
	Kindergarten existence

¹ The household composition in Turkey has a crucial role in this matter. In Turkey, particularly in impoverished homes, the absence of balconies is prevalent, despite the fact that balconies have become a fundamental architectural element due to the process of urbanization and the subsequent rise of apartment living. The current prevalence of residential buildings, typically without balconies, will be analyzed individually based on the specific features of each cluster. Therefore, they are incorporated in this section labeled “No Poverty”.); ² In Turkey, shanties are typically one-story structures located in rural areas, often accompanied by gardens. Conversely, when housing estates expand, villa-style residences are designed to be spaced apart from each other within a specific region, and they also include garden characteristics. Hence, the garden has emerged as a reliable gauge of both poverty and affluence. The garden is incorporated into both SDG1 and SDG12 in order to enhance the validity of the analysis.

). This framework provides the foundation for the analysis of the results and the elucidation of the clusters (see Table 2 for variables and results). Turkey is confronted with the implementation of a smart grid system to mitigate the 16% loss and theft ratio in electrical energy, and market balancing [26]. However, the Turkish grid code exhibits certain integration challenges that necessitate the incorporation of utilization functions, the market consideration of reserve power capacity, and the consideration of energy sources such as hydroelectric and natural gas power facilities to achieve a supply–demand balance [27]. Due to the suboptimal performance of grid power, generators are the favored method of energy conservation in Turkey [28]. Instances when generators are favored arise from circumstances characterized by restricted energy availability, as well as conditions devoid of poverty and marked by elevated energy use. The generator, when used as a household appliance, serves as a crucial indicator of uninterrupted energy supply.

Nevertheless, the comprehensive analysis was executed in a systematic manner that incorporated every variable. Thus, elements that describe the structure of the house, such as the layout of the rooms, and the daily activities of individuals, such as visiting coffee houses and perusing newspapers, were incorporated into the analysis, and a more comprehensive set of clustering features was extracted. Although these variables were also considered in the analysis of the results, the interaction among SDG1, SDG7, and SDG12 was the primary focus of the investigation for the purposes of this study.

Having cleansed the dataset, a subset of the 14 incorporating variables were selected for further analytics. Data cleansing is a prerequisite to data clustering when dealing with national surveys held by various groups of interviewers. The new dataset was wrangled to eliminate any missing values, faulty entities, or outliers. Considering the diversity and variance of variables and their units, they were normalized to facilitate further analytics on a harmonized dataset. Hence, a total number of 496 rows were selected for clustering. The clusters were obtained by maximizing the similarities between members of clusters while minimizing the dissimilarities among them using a K-means algorithm [29]. The mature K-means was tuned by calculating the silhouette score and inertia values against a varying number of clusters between 2 and 10. The fitness of a data object within a cluster can be appropriately quantified by the silhouette score [30].

By incorporating home appliances into the cluster analysis, along with the variables mentioned in Table 1, we are able to examine consumption factors that align with SDG1, SDG12, and SDG7. Electric cookers, kettles, ovens, and tumble dryers are home appliances that have high energy demand [31]. On average, electrical lights, fridges, televisions, and ovens consume 29, 28, 9, and 8% of household electricity in Turkey [32]. The number of refrigerators, televisions, and ovens not only represents the welfare level of the residents but also their electricity consumption. Hence, variables of this category can play a synergistic role in investigating the nexus between these three SDGs. By examining their availability and the clustering patterns of available groups, we can assess the conjunction between consumption and energy usage in terms of clean energy and sustainability.

Table 2. Results of clustering analysis.

Cluster Name			Urban Majority (N: 313)		Deprived-like Remote Residents (N: 73)		Urban Comfort-Seekers (N:110)
Cluster Information			Frequency	Percent (%)	Frequency	Percent (%)	Frequency	Percent (%)
Dwelling Structure	Living room floor parquet		231	73.8	53	72.6	89	80.9
	Living room floor ceramic tiles		40	12.81	5	6.8	11	10
	Living room floor wooden		24	7.7	3	4.1	4	3.6
	Hall floor screed (black concrete)		5	1.6	7	9.6	3	2.7
	Room floors parquet		230	73.5	53	72.6	88	80
	Room floors ceramic tiles		35	11.2	5	6.8	12	10.9
	Room floors wooden		29	9.3	4	5.5	3	2.7
	Room floors screed (black concrete)		6	1.9	7	9.6	3	2.7
	Kitchen floor ceramic tiles		238	76.0	52	71.2	96	87.3
	Kitchen floor parquet		54	17.3	11	15.1	10	9.1
	Bathroom floor ceramic tiles		305	97.4	66	90.4	108	98.2
	Bathroom floor screed (blackconcrete)		6	1.9	6	8.2	0	0
	Bathroom		313	100	72	98.6	110	100
	Hot water		308	98.4	68	93.2	109	99.1
	Toilet		309	98.7	71	97.3	110	100
	Kitchen		313	100	72	98.6	110	100
	Sauna		0	0	0	0	0	0
	Jacuzzi		0	0	0	0	1	0.9
	Garbage disposal		0	0	0	0	1	0.9
	Calorifier		223	71.2	37	50.7	82	74.5
	Base heating		9	2.9	1	1.4	2	1.8
	Piped water system		313	100	73	100	110	100
	Natural gas		212	67.7	30	41.1	79	71.8
Heating System	Floor heating system (combi boiler, etc.)		174	55.6	21	28.8	66	60
	Stove (wood, coal, natural gas, electricity, tube, etc.)		87	27.8	36	49.3	27	24.5
	Central heating system inside the building		42	13.4	11	15.1	16	14.5
	Central heating system with remote heating		6	1.9	5	6.8	0	0
Fuel Type	Natural gas		211	67.4	30	41.1	78	70.9
	Coal and coal derivatives		46	14.7	25	34.2	11	10
	Electricity		39	12.5	5	6.8	17	15.5
	Wood		17	5.4	12	16.4	2	1.8
	Dried dung		0	0	1	1.4	0	0
Kitchen Fuel Type	Natural gas		206	65.8	30	41.1	74	67.3
	LPG		101	32.3	38	52.1	35	31.8
	Wood		0	0	2	2.7	0	0
	Electricity		3	0.96	2	2.7	1	0.9
Hot Water Fuel Type	Natural gas		206	65.8	30	41.1	73	66.4
	Electricity		66	21.1	21	28.8	24	21.8
	Solar energy		34	10.9	14	19.2	11	10
Luxury and Comfortable Living	Cable broadcast presence		33	10.5	2	2.7	18	16.4
	Presence of elevator		126	40.3	23	31.5	58	52.7
	Garage presence		42	13.4	5	6.8	20	18.2
	Pool presence		18	5.8	4	5.5	7	6.4
	Generator presence		14	4.5	2	2.7	5	4.5
	Presence of a security system		74	23.6	20	27.4	31	28.2
	Presence of a balcony		265	84.7	57	78.1	92	83.6
	Garden presence		155	49.5	48	65.8	42	38.2
	Presence of kindergarten		54	17.3	22	30.1	11	10
Property and Belongings	Number of cell phones	1	67	21.4	13	17.8	23	20.9
		2	172	55	44	60.3	58	52.7
		3	50	16	13	17.8	18	16.4
		4	16	5.1	3	4.1	8	7.3
	Number of computers	None	170	54.3	48	65.8	53	48.2
		1	116	37.1	20	27.4	49	44.5
		2	22	7	5	6.8	6	5.5
	Number of internet service subscriptions	None	48	15.3	21	28.8	19	17.3
		1	115	36.7	17	23.3	35	31.8
		2	63	20.1	19	26	23	20.9
		3	63	20.1	14	19.2	24	21.8
	Number of panel TVs	None	64	20.4	11	15.1	24	21.8
		1	229	73.2	56	76.7	77	70
	Number ofsatellite antennas	None	50	16	4	5.5	14	12.7
		1	261	83.4	67	91.8	96	87.3
	Number of refrigerators	None	10	3.2	0	0	3	2.7
		1	301	96.2	73	100	107	97.3
	Number of deep freezers	None	268	85.6	60	82.2	95	86.4
		1	45	14.4	13	17.8	14	12.7
	Number of dishwashers	None	97	31	28	38.4	40	36.4
		1	216	69	45	61.6	70	63.6
	Number ofmicrowave ovens	None	240	76.7	60	82.2	70	63.6
		1	73	23.3	13	17.8	31	28.2
	Number of washing machines	None	15	4.8	1	1.4	7	6.4
		1	298	95.2	72	98.6	103	93.6
	Number of tumble dryers	None	306	97.8	72	98.6	108	98.2
		1	7	2.2	1	1.4	1	0.9
	Number ofcarpet washing machines	None	310	99	70	95.9	105	95.5
		1	3	1.0	3	4.1	5	4.5
	Number of air conditioners	None	256	81.8	66	90.4	89	80.9
		1	45	14.4	5	6.8	15	13.6
		2	10	3.2	0	0	5	4.5
	Number of game consoles	None	297	94.9	72	98.6	107	97.3
		1	16	5.1	1	1.4	3	2.7
	Number of cars	None	207	66.1	36	49.3	69	62.7
		1	101	32.3	33	45.2	40	36.4
	Electric bicycle	None	312	99.7	72	98.6	109	99.1
		1	1	0.3	1	1.4	1	0.9
Household Daily Habits	Having a smoker in thehousehold		205	65.5	33	45.2	66	60.0
	Having a person with an alcohol habit in the household		31	9.9	4	5.5	15	13.6
	Eating out for lunch or dinner		204	65.2	36	49.3	70	63.6
	Having a person in the household who has the habit of buying daily newspapers		11	3.5	2	2.7	4	3.6
	Having a person in the household who has the habit of buying monthly/weekly magazines		8	2.6	2	2.7	5	4.5
	Having a person in the household who has the habit of going to the cinema, theater, sports competitions		49	15.7	8	11	35	31.8
	Presence of pay TV subscription in the household		60	19.2	7	9.6	21	19.1
	Having a person in the householdwho participates in sports, entertainment, cultural activities by paying a fee		36	11.5	8	11	17	15.5
	Having a person in the household who plays gambling games such as numerical lotto, lottery, etc.		16	5.1	1	1.4	6	5.5
	Having a person in the householdwho has the habit of going to coffee houses, cafes, taverns, etc.		76	24.3	15	20.5	39	35.5
	Having a person with private life insurance in the household		58	18.5	8	11.0	23	20.9
	Having credit card users in the household		186	59.4	39	53.4	68	61.8
	Household habits of going to the bazaar 2 for shopping		180	57.5	42	57.5	54	49.1
	Frequency of online shopping	I do not use	240	76.7	62	84.9	77	70
		Two or three times a week	6	1.9	0	0	1	0.9
		Once a week	4	1.3	1	1.4	4	3.6
		Two or three times a month	23	7.3	4	5.5	8	7.3
		Once a month	40	12.8	6	8.2	19	17.3

¹ The researchers emphasized these values to show their prominence. ² Bazaars in Turkey are customary retail establishments that may be open-air or indoors and offer a vast selection of goods, categorized and of varying quality. They provide consumers of all social standings with a lively experience [33]. Turkey’s historical consumption culture has placed significant emphasis on bazaars, which are distinguished from supermarkets primarily by their comparatively lower prices. As bazaars have come to be favored by the middle and lower social strata in general, they have become a household habit.

Table 2. Results of clustering analysis.

Cluster Name			Urban Majority (N: 313)		Deprived-like Remote Residents (N: 73)		Urban Comfort-Seekers (N:110)
Cluster Information			Frequency	Percent (%)	Frequency	Percent (%)	Frequency	Percent (%)
Dwelling Structure	Living room floor parquet		231	73.8	53	72.6	89	80.9
	Living room floor ceramic tiles		40	12.81	5	6.8	11	10
	Living room floor wooden		24	7.7	3	4.1	4	3.6
	Hall floor screed (black concrete)		5	1.6	7	9.6	3	2.7
	Room floors parquet		230	73.5	53	72.6	88	80
	Room floors ceramic tiles		35	11.2	5	6.8	12	10.9
	Room floors wooden		29	9.3	4	5.5	3	2.7
	Room floors screed (black concrete)		6	1.9	7	9.6	3	2.7
	Kitchen floor ceramic tiles		238	76.0	52	71.2	96	87.3
	Kitchen floor parquet		54	17.3	11	15.1	10	9.1
	Bathroom floor ceramic tiles		305	97.4	66	90.4	108	98.2
	Bathroom floor screed (blackconcrete)		6	1.9	6	8.2	0	0
	Bathroom		313	100	72	98.6	110	100
	Hot water		308	98.4	68	93.2	109	99.1
	Toilet		309	98.7	71	97.3	110	100
	Kitchen		313	100	72	98.6	110	100
	Sauna		0	0	0	0	0	0
	Jacuzzi		0	0	0	0	1	0.9
	Garbage disposal		0	0	0	0	1	0.9
	Calorifier		223	71.2	37	50.7	82	74.5
	Base heating		9	2.9	1	1.4	2	1.8
	Piped water system		313	100	73	100	110	100
	Natural gas		212	67.7	30	41.1	79	71.8
Heating System	Floor heating system (combi boiler, etc.)		174	55.6	21	28.8	66	60
	Stove (wood, coal, natural gas, electricity, tube, etc.)		87	27.8	36	49.3	27	24.5
	Central heating system inside the building		42	13.4	11	15.1	16	14.5
	Central heating system with remote heating		6	1.9	5	6.8	0	0
Fuel Type	Natural gas		211	67.4	30	41.1	78	70.9
	Coal and coal derivatives		46	14.7	25	34.2	11	10
	Electricity		39	12.5	5	6.8	17	15.5
	Wood		17	5.4	12	16.4	2	1.8
	Dried dung		0	0	1	1.4	0	0
Kitchen Fuel Type	Natural gas		206	65.8	30	41.1	74	67.3
	LPG		101	32.3	38	52.1	35	31.8
	Wood		0	0	2	2.7	0	0
	Electricity		3	0.96	2	2.7	1	0.9
Hot Water Fuel Type	Natural gas		206	65.8	30	41.1	73	66.4
	Electricity		66	21.1	21	28.8	24	21.8
	Solar energy		34	10.9	14	19.2	11	10
Luxury and Comfortable Living	Cable broadcast presence		33	10.5	2	2.7	18	16.4
	Presence of elevator		126	40.3	23	31.5	58	52.7
	Garage presence		42	13.4	5	6.8	20	18.2
	Pool presence		18	5.8	4	5.5	7	6.4
	Generator presence		14	4.5	2	2.7	5	4.5
	Presence of a security system		74	23.6	20	27.4	31	28.2
	Presence of a balcony		265	84.7	57	78.1	92	83.6
	Garden presence		155	49.5	48	65.8	42	38.2
	Presence of kindergarten		54	17.3	22	30.1	11	10
Property and Belongings	Number of cell phones	1	67	21.4	13	17.8	23	20.9
		2	172	55	44	60.3	58	52.7
		3	50	16	13	17.8	18	16.4
		4	16	5.1	3	4.1	8	7.3
	Number of computers	None	170	54.3	48	65.8	53	48.2
		1	116	37.1	20	27.4	49	44.5
		2	22	7	5	6.8	6	5.5
	Number of internet service subscriptions	None	48	15.3	21	28.8	19	17.3
		1	115	36.7	17	23.3	35	31.8
		2	63	20.1	19	26	23	20.9
		3	63	20.1	14	19.2	24	21.8
	Number of panel TVs	None	64	20.4	11	15.1	24	21.8
		1	229	73.2	56	76.7	77	70
	Number ofsatellite antennas	None	50	16	4	5.5	14	12.7
		1	261	83.4	67	91.8	96	87.3
	Number of refrigerators	None	10	3.2	0	0	3	2.7
		1	301	96.2	73	100	107	97.3
	Number of deep freezers	None	268	85.6	60	82.2	95	86.4
		1	45	14.4	13	17.8	14	12.7
	Number of dishwashers	None	97	31	28	38.4	40	36.4
		1	216	69	45	61.6	70	63.6
	Number ofmicrowave ovens	None	240	76.7	60	82.2	70	63.6
		1	73	23.3	13	17.8	31	28.2
	Number of washing machines	None	15	4.8	1	1.4	7	6.4
		1	298	95.2	72	98.6	103	93.6
	Number of tumble dryers	None	306	97.8	72	98.6	108	98.2
		1	7	2.2	1	1.4	1	0.9
	Number ofcarpet washing machines	None	310	99	70	95.9	105	95.5
		1	3	1.0	3	4.1	5	4.5
	Number of air conditioners	None	256	81.8	66	90.4	89	80.9
		1	45	14.4	5	6.8	15	13.6
		2	10	3.2	0	0	5	4.5
	Number of game consoles	None	297	94.9	72	98.6	107	97.3
		1	16	5.1	1	1.4	3	2.7
	Number of cars	None	207	66.1	36	49.3	69	62.7
		1	101	32.3	33	45.2	40	36.4
	Electric bicycle	None	312	99.7	72	98.6	109	99.1
		1	1	0.3	1	1.4	1	0.9
Household Daily Habits	Having a smoker in thehousehold		205	65.5	33	45.2	66	60.0
	Having a person with an alcohol habit in the household		31	9.9	4	5.5	15	13.6
	Eating out for lunch or dinner		204	65.2	36	49.3	70	63.6
	Having a person in the household who has the habit of buying daily newspapers		11	3.5	2	2.7	4	3.6
	Having a person in the household who has the habit of buying monthly/weekly magazines		8	2.6	2	2.7	5	4.5
	Having a person in the household who has the habit of going to the cinema, theater, sports competitions		49	15.7	8	11	35	31.8
	Presence of pay TV subscription in the household		60	19.2	7	9.6	21	19.1
	Having a person in the householdwho participates in sports, entertainment, cultural activities by paying a fee		36	11.5	8	11	17	15.5
	Having a person in the household who plays gambling games such as numerical lotto, lottery, etc.		16	5.1	1	1.4	6	5.5
	Having a person in the householdwho has the habit of going to coffee houses, cafes, taverns, etc.		76	24.3	15	20.5	39	35.5
	Having a person with private life insurance in the household		58	18.5	8	11.0	23	20.9
	Having credit card users in the household		186	59.4	39	53.4	68	61.8
	Household habits of going to the bazaar 2 for shopping		180	57.5	42	57.5	54	49.1
	Frequency of online shopping	I do not use	240	76.7	62	84.9	77	70
		Two or three times a week	6	1.9	0	0	1	0.9
		Once a week	4	1.3	1	1.4	4	3.6
		Two or three times a month	23	7.3	4	5.5	8	7.3
		Once a month	40	12.8	6	8.2	19	17.3

¹ The researchers emphasized these values to show their prominence. ² Bazaars in Turkey are customary retail establishments that may be open-air or indoors and offer a vast selection of goods, categorized and of varying quality. They provide consumers of all social standings with a lively experience [33]. Turkey’s historical consumption culture has placed significant emphasis on bazaars, which are distinguished from supermarkets primarily by their comparatively lower prices. As bazaars have come to be favored by the middle and lower social strata in general, they have become a household habit.

3. Results

The results of the cluster analysis employing 2–10 clusters using the K-means algorithm are depicted in Figure 1. According to the figure, an elbow appeared when the number of clusters was 3 in the inertia graph (k = 3). Moreover, the silhouette score had a fluctuating pattern when more than three clusters were assigned to the data (k > 3). Hence, three clusters were used to represent the data.

The clustering analysis reveals that the data are grouped into three distinct clusters. The factors that distinguish the clusters from each other include the floor structure in rooms and living rooms, the presence of a bathroom with hot water and a toilet, the use of natural gas or a stove for heating, the use of natural gas or coal as fuel, the presence of luxury elements and comfortable living, and the daily habits of the households (Table 1). Interpretations are provided in a comparative and relative manner, based on the findings.

3.1. Cluster 1: Urban Majority

This cluster is the most densely populated cluster. The cluster exhibits a strong preference for natural gas as the primary fuel source for hot water, cooking, and general use. Consequently, the floor heating system is extensively utilized. This cluster is characterized by the utilization of ceramic tiles following the installation of parquet in the living rooms and bedrooms, with wood being the predominant and favored material. The inclusion of households lacking a toilet and hot water facilities, albeit to a limited level, enables us to classify this cluster as the most thorough representation of the Turkish household. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity are commonly favored as energy sources for cooking and hot water production. Upon examining the attributes of opulent and cozy lifestyles, the subsequent factors become apparent:

• This group is ranked second in terms of the presence of a garage, elevator, and cable TV.
• It possesses the most minimal security measures compared to the other groupings.
• This category has the highest number of individuals who possess both generators and balconies.
• It holds the second highest position in terms of the accessibility of kindergarten and gardens.
• On average, people usually have two cell phones, which makes it the second most common group of people who own two cell phones.
• This group is second in terms of the highest number of panel TVs, computer ownership, washing machines, microwave ovens, and deep freezers.
• This group has the greatest ownership rate of game consoles in comparison to other groups.
• This group has the largest proportion of individuals who engage in smoking, dine out for lunch or dinner, and have pay TV subscriptions.
• This group has the largest occurrence of individuals who frequently visit the bazaar, along with the Deprived-like Remote Residents group.

Secondary features include possessing private insurance, the absence of online purchasing within the household, frequenting movie theaters, and engaging in gambling games. By combining these features, it is believed that this group represents the bulk of those residing in flats in Turkey and leading predominantly urban lifestyles. Their energy consumption habits align with the options presented by urban living. Investment in infrastructure is necessary for the utilization of natural gas. Hence, it can be asserted that this extensive assemblage epitomizes the overall framework, considering the possibility of individuals lacking the means to acquire it, as well as those without adequate toilet and hot water amenities in their residences. However, this group does not facilitate the assessment of how everyday routines, luxurious and comfortable lifestyles, and properties affect energy use. Nevertheless, this group represents the prevailing majority in Turkey, accurately reflecting the overall trajectory.

Urban clusters can be distinguished by heating systems and fuel types. Almost 70% of the households enjoy calorifiers and burn natural gas, but a small portion of them use stoves and coal compared to remote residents. The main difference between these clusters originates from the governmental infrastructure rather than the consumers’ habits. This is supported by their greater dependency on electricity than on wood and LPG. Moreover, this cluster has a significant percentage of home electrical appliances, such as microwaves. Hence, the environmental control of energy issues is easier in this cluster than in the Deprived-like cluster. Most of these households are retrofitted through amenities indicative of comfortable and luxurious living, such as cable TVs and garages. A significant share of smokers and restaurant-goers in this cluster represents a middle-class urban lifestyle. Overall, this cluster represents citizens vulnerable against unhealthy habits such as long screen time and gambling. Hence, a joint educational program for responsible consumption and health could improve the well-being of the Turkish citizens in this cluster.

3.2. Cluster 2: Deprived-like Remote Residents

This cluster is the most radical and permits distinctive interpretations. When compared to the other groups, this group exhibits the least inclination towards using parquet flooring in living rooms and rooms, while displaying the largest inclination towards using screed (black concrete) instead. This group has the highest prevalence of inadequate toilets, kitchen, and hot water amenities in their households. This cluster has the lowest usage of natural gas, with a preference for stoves as a heating technology and the utilization of coal and its byproducts as the primary fuel source. Among the clusters, this group exhibits the most pronounced utilization of wood and coal. Screed is commonly employed as a substrate for coatings, particularly ceramic tiles. The presence of screed applied directly on the floor and the absence of natural gas in this group indicates that they likely reside in isolated rural areas or squatters where access to natural gas is not available. Installing false floors and false ceilings made of concrete or stone significantly decreases thermal inertia [10]. Nevertheless, this group does not give priority to the floor structure, as it focuses on the affordability of the dwelling rather than its energy efficiency.

Squatter regions are locations where rural residents transition into urban residents, farmers transition into laborers, and serve as destinations for internal migration [34]. Therefore, the cluster is categorized as ‘remote’. LPG is the predominant fuel choice for cooking purposes. Due to its dual use for heating and as a fuel, natural gas is given priority in other clusters. Hence, natural gas is employed in various domains, including hot water and culinary applications. Nevertheless, this group exhibits the lowest preference for natural gas when compared to other groups. Hence, alternative sources become relevant. Stoves in the kitchen are being substituted by LPG, a more readily available and comfortable-to-use fuel source and common in rural areas [35]. Also, solar energy and electricity are the most commonly energy sources used in this group for hot water. However, electricity is not preferred as a fuel type. Solar energy is particularly favored in Turkey, particularly in regions with milder climates and during the summer months. Nevertheless, this preference is not intended to be sustainable, but rather to offer cost and convenience benefits in situations when natural gas is not a viable option.

Given the prevalence of agriculture in rural locations, dwellings are typically designed as garden houses. This cluster’s abundance of gardens and scarcity of balconies reinforces this idea. These houses may have the kitchen and toilet situated externally. This pertains to the everyday existence of the individuals residing in these regions. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that these regions also exhibit significant poverty rates [34], and there exists a profound interdependence between poverty and the everyday life in these locations. Indeed, the size of the Urban Majority group can be attributed to factors such as seasonal employment, unemployment, and inadequate pay, which contribute to the transfer of poverty from rural to urban regions [34]. Furthermore, this category includes those who lack essential amenities like hot water. Additional attributes of this cluster pertaining to everyday habits, possessions, and daily living are as follows:

• It is the group with the fewest cable transmissions but the greatest number of satellite antennae. Given that cable television is predominantly offered by urban service providers, it is plausible that the utilization of satellite antennas, which operate independently of any service provider, is prevalent among those residing in more rural areas. This group also exhibits the highest prevalence of panel TVs, suggesting a strong inclination towards television viewing.
• Among this group, the utilization of elevators, garages, pools, and generators is the least prevalent.
• It is the second group where the security system is most common. This implies the coexistence of humans residing in both squatter settlements and rural regions.
• It is the group with the greatest quantity of gardens and kindergartens and the fewest number of balconies.
• There are mostly two mobile phones in the household, and this category has the largest prevalence of households with two cell phones.
• This group has the largest population of individuals lacking access to a computer.
• Each unit is equipped with a refrigerator, and this group has the greatest quantity of deep freezers. The scarcity of resources, particularly food, in rural regions, coupled with the presence of individuals involved in agricultural activities, may necessitate the need for product storage.
• This group possesses the greatest quantity of washing machines and the fewest quantities of microwave ovens and air conditioners.
• This category has the largest proportion of individuals who possess an automobile. This research provides evidence in favor of remote living.
• There is one individual who possesses an electric bicycle. While lacking numerical significance, it is worth noting that it represents a density of 1.4% compared to other categories, suggesting the largest concentration of electric bicycle ownership.
• This group exhibits the lowest prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and eating out.
• This group exhibits the lowest frequency of engaging in activities such as going to cinema, participating in paid sports, playing gambling games, visiting coffeehouses, subscribing to paid TV services, and purchasing newspapers and magazines.
• This group has the lowest prevalence of individuals who possess private life insurance.
• With the Urban Majority group, this group exhibits the highest frequency of bazaar visits.
• This group has the lowest credit card usage rate, and when credit cards are used, they are generally utilized once a month.

Based on this information, it may be concluded that the Deprived-like Remote Residents category is predominantly confined. One may argue that individuals choose their energy preferences based on their financial resources, and that their living situations influence their choices for energy sources and energy-dependent products. While the utilization of sustainable energy sources, such as solar energy, is regarded as favorable within this group, the predominant reliance on coal and its byproducts indicates that this group is a significant contributor to air pollution. At present, it is imperative to also tackle the matter of poverty. The social and cultural aspects of poverty are demonstrated by a lifestyle that is farther removed from social and cultural activities, a reliance on energy sources that contribute to pollution, and the presence of individuals who struggle to fulfill necessities such as access to hot water.

3.3. Cluster 3: Urban Comfort-Seekers

This group derives the greatest advantages from many social and cultural aspects of urban life. Although possessions such as hot tubs and garbage disposals are typically not favored, two individuals who prefer these particular possessions were found within this group. This is deemed significant as a comparative analysis was carried out in this study. The availability of an adequate bathroom, kitchen, and toilet in the house poses no issue whatsoever for this group, and they encounter the least difficulty regarding hot water. This group has the highest utilization of natural gas and floor heating systems. Electricity and LPG are the other energy choices favored with natural gas. This category exhibits the maximum prevalence of parquet flooring in both living rooms and bedrooms, as well as the biggest utilization of ceramic tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Hence, it is feasible to discuss a more well-appointed house arrangement for this demographic. Ensuring individuals lead comfortable lives is a crucial factor in preventing poverty [34]. Regarding this matter, it can be asserted that this group is the least impacted by poverty. Additional attributes of this cluster pertaining to everyday routines, belongings, and day-to-day existence are outlined below:

• This group consists of households that possess a cable TV, elevator, garage, pool, generator, and security system.
• The generator holds significant importance for both this group and the Urban Majority group. Comfort is a crucial indicator of being free from energy interruptions with generators.
• This group has the second largest number of individuals with a balcony.
• This group possesses the fewest gardens and kindergartens.
• This category has the fewest individuals lacking a computer and the greatest number of individuals possessing one computer.
• This group exhibits the highest prevalence of individuals possessing a microwave oven.
• This group exhibits the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption, regular purchases of daily newspapers and weekly/monthly magazines, frequent visits to cinemas and theaters, active engagement in sports and entertainment activities with a fee, and regular visits to coffee houses and cafes.
• This category exhibits the highest prevalence of individuals with a life insurance.
• This group exhibits the highest prevalence of credit card usage.
• This group exhibits the lowest propensity for visiting the bazaar for shopping.
• This category has the smallest number of individuals in the family who do not engage in online shopping.

The citizens of this cluster have expressed to have several means to secure life, such as personal insurance and various credit cards. Furthermore, these households differ from cluster one considering their greater shares of urban entertainment habits such as going to the movies, cafes, and culture centers. Considering household properties and belongings, this cluster resembles cluster one. This means that the socio-cultural aspects of the urban lifestyle prevail over economic issues in Turkey. Taking the SDG7 variables, such as fuel type and heating systems, the measurements taken for cluster one can be applied to the households of this cluster, too. This is also supported by the similarities between the household structures that facilitate controlling energy patterns and environmental protection pathways. When these components are integrated, it is believed that there exists an urban community that preserves its comfort. The configuration of households, the habits of everyday living, and the choice of items all contribute to a lifestyle that leads to higher energy consumption. Energy availability is crucial for constructing the house, and the house construction is essential for comfortable living and the desired lifestyle.

4. Discussion

In Turkey, there is a complicated scenario regarding energy preferences. These preferences are closely associated with accessibility. Hence, the primary determinants of energy use are accessibility, user-friendliness, and affordability. The contextual placement of an individual’s residence—urban or rural—has significant impacts on the availability and accessibility of energy resources. It is believed that the emphasis is on the cost-effective options that are readily available and may be simply utilized. This is believed to be the underlying reason why choices such as coal and LPG surpass solar energy in popularity. The limited utilization of solar energy compared to coal is primarily due to its high initial investment prices. Despite being mentioned in the inquiries, wind energy was not featured in the results.

Energy is a crucial component that enhances the quality of life for those in urban areas, particularly for those who prioritize urban living and want comfort. Access to natural gas and electricity enables the upkeep of comfortable household environments and mitigates the risk of poverty. The Deprived-like Remote Residents group focuses on addressing the social and cultural poverty experienced by individuals living in more remote and less comfortable conditions.

4.1. Poverty and Responsible Consumption

Poverty encompasses more than just financial limitations. Additional forms of poverty encompass insufficiency in food, housing, clothing, education, healthcare, clean water and sanitation, as well as social and cultural activities [34]. In this study, the lack of a bathroom, toilet, kitchen, hot water, balcony, and garden is regarded as indicative of poverty. Households possessing these factors are presumed to transition out of poverty, as they possess essential household amenities. Households lacking these qualities are deemed fragile in terms of essential necessities. Nevertheless, upon examining the Deprived-like Remote Residents, who exhibit a lower prevalence of these factors as determined by the clustering analysis, it is hypothesized that these factors may be attributed to their geographical distance from the urban center and their likely involvement in agricultural activities. The garden is available in 65.8% of this cluster, while the kindergarten is available in 30.1%. Furthermore, this group exhibits the highest prevalence of possessing two cell phones, as well as owning deep freezers and automobiles. Hence, the financial aspect of poverty indicators lacks validity for this particular group. Nevertheless, it is feasible to discuss poverty within this demographic by examining the attributes of their dwellings and the level of comfort they offer, as well as their access to energy indicators and overall quality of life [14,16,17]. While there may be individuals in Turkey who face challenges in accessing basic necessities like bathrooms and hot water, it is not indicative of the overall situation in the country. The group’s difficulties in accessing comfortable energy, such as natural gas, have prompted them to transition to sustainable alternatives like solar energy. Turkey employs modern energy sources such as LPG [35], and poverty levels comparable to underdeveloped nations are not prevalent [36,37,38].

The study findings highlight possessions that do not promote excessive energy usage. Given that luxury product categories, like hot tubs, are not often favored by the majority, it is possible to assess preferences using a responsible consumption scale. Undoubtedly, identifying the criteria that will enable the assessment of conditions, such as energy consumption values, usage hours, and the duration of product usage, will facilitate the exploration of the various aspects of the responsible idea. Here, the judgment is based on the fact that products like jacuzzies, which are primarily used for luxury purposes rather than daily energy usage, are rarely utilized.

4.2. Reading Sustainable Energy Choices Conditionally

Household clusters demonstrate that energy selection is influenced by available options rather than being a voluntary decision. In comparison to using a stove, natural gas provides a comparatively more comfortable lifestyle; however, in the absence of this option in one’s location, one will inevitably resort to alternative energy sources, irrespective of one’s personal preference. While it is acknowledged that economic constraints, social pressure, and limited possibilities may discourage individuals from adopting energy-saving behaviors [31], these same constraints may actually prompt individuals to turn to sustainable sources as viable alternatives. The Deprived-like Remote Residents cluster relies on electricity and solar energy for hot water, which are considered more sustainable sources of green energy. Nevertheless, it is evident that this is attributable to prevailing conditions. Thus, it is necessary to assess sustainable energy preferences in a conditional manner. To classify a choice as sustainable, it is necessary to assess the accessibility of other resources. If the preference is for sustainable resources like solar energy, even with access to fossil resources, then the issue of sustainability may arise.

For instance, a study carried out in China emphasizes the significance of responsible consumption and production methods, such as the use of clean energy technology, to accomplish sustainable development objectives [39]. The study’s results indicate that investing in green initiatives and increasing the consumption of clean energy have a beneficial effect on economic growth, while simultaneously decreasing carbon emissions. This relationship prioritizes the promotion of ecologically sustainable and renewable energy sources as a strategy to foster economic growth and alleviate poverty, hence addressing the concept of sustainability.

A study on energy consumption in households reveals that the amount of energy consumed by electric fans and air conditioners varies depending on the duration of use. Additionally, televisions are identified as the most energy-intensive entertainment equipment due to their extensive usage [8]. Panel TVs are predominantly found in the Deprived-like Remote Residents group in this study. The primary factor behind this phenomenon is the increasing reliance on television as a source of entertainment, driven by an increasingly isolated lifestyle. Therefore, there is no specific condition that can be deemed as sustainable energy consumption tools; instead, the emphasis is placed on prioritizing their utilization. The literature provides considerable evidence of the widespread use of entertainment in this group. However, the occurrence of this condition is attributed to the problem of limited access to entertainment, which is considered situational.

Turkey has struggled to achieve substantial advancements in the expansion of renewable energy consumption. Despite significant efforts made since 2009, the proportion of renewable energy in Turkey’s overall electrical energy production as of 2018 stands at a mere 32 percent [40]. The findings from Turkey demonstrate the correlation between renewable energy, ecological footprint, and economic growth. It is evident that an increase in the utilization of clean and renewable energy sources leads to a reduction in both the ecological footprint and economic growth [40]. Preserving the abundance of the environment can also be viewed as a route to achieving economic prosperity. Nevertheless, the energy preferences of households in Turkey predominantly rely on fossil fuels. Natural gas is the predominant form of energy used, especially for electricity generation which relies heavily on imports for its natural gas supply [35,41]. On the other hand, the rural group in Turkey does not participate in low-carbon development initiatives. Furthermore, due to its extensive utilization of electronic devices, the country seems to be at a disadvantage when it comes to carbon emissions [42] across all clusters, with a significant negative impact stemming from households. The implementation of low carbon energy strategies will entail additional expenses and pose problems to the affordability of energy [17]. This could potentially exacerbate poverty in rural households where poverty is already prevalent. As per the United Nations Sustainability Goals, the lack of environmental friendliness is also categorized as energy poverty [14].

There exists a reciprocal connection between the promotion of sustainability in energy and the mitigation of energy poverty [43]. Implementing intelligent techniques to manage energy usage is a proposed approach to promote the long-term viability of home energy consumption in Turkey. While smart technology does not directly contribute to macroeconomic growth, its purpose is to promote energy efficiency in household use at the microeconomic level. Starting in 2023, Turkey has launched significant smart grid initiatives in line with its strategy for 2035 [44,45]. Conversely, the implementation of intelligent and digital energy systems for rural communities that rely on coal and its byproducts as fuel appears to be challenging [1]. These groups are expected to adopt proactive strategies, such as embracing sustainable resources like solar energy, and ensuring that these systems can meet other energy needs in addition to solar energy.

4.3. Context in Context: What Household Habits, Dwelling, and Possessions Say about Household Energy Choices in the Light of Responsible Consumption

Household possessions can yield insights into energy preferences. Individuals make possession selections in consideration of their energy accessibility. There is a reciprocal relationship at play: the selection of items individuals resort to when lacking access to energy or when the available energy does not provide a pleasant living; and the selection of items when they do have access to comfortable energy.

Regarding Turkey, natural gas is a prevalent energy source that presents comparatively low consumption costs compared to alternative energy forms. Merely establishing the requisite technical infrastructure and procuring services from a nearby natural gas distributor company are the requirements for its operation. Although Turkey serves as an example, this research demonstrates that contexts within contexts must also be considered when considering energy consumption. Similar to the literature, our analysis also distinguished a more rural household cluster from the rest and divided urban residents into two distinct categories [5,35,38,46]. Each group has its own set of habits, dwelling structures, and possessions. To begin with, the cluster’s residential location—rural or squatter—has implications for consumption.

Urban locations have lower per capita energy consumption relative to less intensively populated areas and rural areas, potentially attributable to longer work hours and reduced time spent at residences [8]. This signifies a distinct lifestyle characterized by varying energy consumption patterns and preferences. Rural areas are marked by indicators such as the direct use of screed in living rooms and bedrooms, the absence of restrooms and kitchens in households, and the lack of access to natural gas or, if they do have it, an inability to utilize it [38], possibly due to insufficient funds to construct the necessary technical infrastructure. Poverty is more prevalent in the rural regions of Turkey [34]. Additionally, fuel type preference is a crucial indicator. Without natural gas, households residing in these regions rely on wood and coal furnaces for heating purposes. The high wood and coal usage in rural areas [47] can be indicative of the rural nature of this population; so poverty is common and incomes are also fragile. Studies indicate that the relationship between per capita income and expenditure and electricity consumption is inversely correlated [5]. Thus, it is anticipated that individuals will prioritize the consumption of electricity. However, in this study, fuel selection does not prioritize electricity. When natural gas is unavailable, they opt for electricity as the alternative source of heat for water, although solar energy is also considered. Those who have access to natural gas and lead more comfortable lives, in addition to those who have access to LPG and electricity, are the two groups considered to be urban. Comparing the groups reveals that specific habits and behaviors are discernibly different. Urban Comfort-Seekers and Urban Majority, as groups that benefit from the social and cultural benefits of urban life such as participating in paid sports events, eating out, and spending time in places such as coffee houses and cafes, prefer possessions such as game consoles, air conditioners, microwave ovens, and computers more. The cooling energy consumption is greatly influenced by the socio-economic factors of households, which in turn affect the physical attributes of dwelling units [48]. As energy usage shifts from cooking to recreational activities and comfort improvement, urbanization contributes to an increase in energy consumption per capita [4]. This is further supported by the observation that energy-intensive assets are utilized with greater intensity within these groups. Given the preference for desktop and laptop computers for a more comfortable lifestyle [22], this observation suggests that it is more prevalent in urban environments. Furthermore, an examination of the household habits followed by Urban Comfort-Seekers suggests that they constitute a demographic that enjoys more financial stability. In conjunction with energy accessibility, this enables the preference for electronic appliances such as garbage disposals and hot spas, which are not prevalent in Turkey. Although uncommon, the mere fact that they exist serves as a significant indicator. Conversely, within the Deprived-like Remote Residents group, the occurrence of household practices that are facilitated by urban living is considerably reduced. As a result of spending more time at home, this group will experience a different energy consumption pattern. Moreover, their possession preferences reflect this circumstance. Initially, this group has a higher probability of automobile ownership compared to other groups. This is believed to be a means of managing distance. The prevalence of deep freezers for product storage, panel televisions, satellite antennas, and dual telephones can be attributed to the increased emphasis on television viewing habits [22] that result from their isolation from urban activities. Dishwashers and washing machines are examples of possessions that do not qualify as distinct product categories.

The group residing in the urban area is not homogeneous. In comparison to the Urban Majority, individuals who prioritize urban comfort are perceived to be of a better social class. Parquet and ceramic tiles are the materials of choice in dwelling structures for these two groups. However, what differentiates the groups are the rates of preference for these materials. Regarding flooring, ceramic tiles and parquet are preferred more by the Urban Comfort-Seekers. They engage in a comparatively greater number of social and cultural activities. As a result, they are more receptive to experiences involving energy-intensive luxury products. Similar to the Deprived-like Remote Residents group, which does not prioritize electricity as a fuel preference, the energy consumption domain is defined by possessions and behaviors. Hence, it is critical to comprehend that the household does not constitute an entity in its entirety, and that energy preferences and habits and possessions preferences interact in a transformative manner.

The physical characteristics of dwellings, such as age and type, are less important in determining energy demand, as many existing buildings were not designed for energy efficiency [3], but they are effective on energy expenditures [38]. A similar phenomenon can be observed in Turkey [49,50]. This studydemonstrates that accessibility has a greater impact on the energy preferences of households. Preferences regarding dwelling structures, including those of screed, are a matter of context in context [23]. Essentially, because rural regions are characterized by elevated levels of poverty [34], they are more likely to confront economic decisions. The reduction of expenses may be considered a primary concern in the construction of residential dwellings. This is consistent with the literature. Poor households in underdeveloped countries, which have limited financial resources for energy, often choose less convenient but more cost-effective alternatives. This compromise at the energy level is justified by the non-monetary load and inconvenience costs associated with more convenient options [21].

By conducting a comparative and exploratory analysis of secondary data, this study endeavors to examine the relationship between poverty, renewable energy, responsible consumption, and daily habits and positions. Therefore, the study’s weakness lies in the fact that the data are not primary sources. However, the fact that these data were collected in a manner that accurately reflects Turkey distinguishes the study in that it permits a broader interpretation. While economic data are widely recognized as a significant component in conventional poverty indicators [14], their omission from this research may be considered a limitation. The fact that daily routines and possessions provide an indirect indication of the economic situation, however, justifies this restriction. It is crucial for future research to conduct a more comprehensive analysis of possessions, taking into consideration their utilization status. Additionally, it is valuable to investigate the way in which daily habits shape energy habits.

5. Conclusions

This study investigates the complex intricacies of energy consumption patterns within households in Turkey, analyzing the subtle contextual factors that influence these choices. The results emphasize the critical significance of accessibility, usability, and cost-effectiveness as the principal factors that impact energy decisions. The contextual factor of residential location affects the accessibility of energy resources, creating a complex situation in which alternatives like coal take precedence over solar energy, primarily because of the latter’s substantial initial investment requirements.

This research paper presents a more nuanced definition of poverty through its association with inadequate access to basic amenities and financial constraints. Although amenities such as kitchens, restrooms, toilets, and hot water are commonly associated with avoiding poverty, the analysis demonstrates that the characteristics that define poverty for the Deprived-like Remote Residents group are distinct, thus posing a challenge for traditional poverty indicators.

Moreover, this study underscores the importance of conditionally assessing sustainable energy alternatives, taking into account variables such as the accessibility of alternate resources. This study illuminates the interdependent connection that exists between the resolution of energy poverty and the promotion of sustainability. This highlights the significance of integrating intelligent methods for energy consumption management.

An examination of the dwelling structure, domestic items, and household habits yields significant knowledge regarding energy preferences. Differentiating between urban and rural clusters, this study emphasizes the variety of behaviors and habits that affect energy consumption patterns. The results present a challenge to traditional measures of poverty and advocate for further investigation into the value of material possessions in future studies.

Notwithstanding the constraint of depending on secondary data, this study makes a valuable contribution to the wider comprehension of the intricate dynamics that exist among destitution, renewable energy, conscientious consumption, and daily routines. Further investigation is warranted to explore the utilization status of possessions and the complex interplay between daily behaviors and energy choices.