Saving as a challenge: The dynamics of changing energy practices in the post-mining city of Konin

Abstract

This paper aims to examine how the middle-class residents of Konin responded to the energy price crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. The research material consists of 40 structured qualitative interviews conducted in early spring 2022 in this city, notable for its diverse energy culture and historical dependence on the energy sector (its rapid development was both caused by and intertwined with the growth of the coal mining industry). From the perspective of social practice theory and the sociology of everyday life, I analyse the emotional responses to higher bills, motivations, and measures taken to reduce energy consumption. These include changes in home management, use of space, clothing, perception and adaptation to thermal discomfort, relationships between household members, and plans. I also reconstruct the multi-stage process of changing energy habits, from initiation through confusion and rule enforcement to acceptance, adaptation, and establishing a new normalcy. Furthermore, I identify barriers that discourage or prevent changes in energy habits, including health-related, infrastructural, financial, and socio-cultural constraints. Additionally, I outline a typology of individuals planning to invest in sustainable energy in the context of the energy crisis. In the discussion, I highlight the academic and practical potential of the results. These findings suggest how the energy crisis can accelerate the sustainable energy transition, demonstrate the merits of the approach to energy transition adopted in the paper, and call attention to the need to support individuals and households in adapting to new energy realities.