The Role of Digital Innovation in Promoting Energy-Efficient Appliances: A Path Toward Smart and Sustainable Consumer Choices

Daniela Šálková, Renáta Křečková and Václav Houba

Abstract:

Introduction: The environmental impact of household electrical appliances remains a major issue in achieving global sustainability goals. Despite regulatory advances such as the EU Energy Label and the EPREL database, many consumers still struggle to make informed choices due to low energy literacy and limited availability of relevant data.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for a mobile application that supports consumers in purchasing environmentally friendly electrical appliances by bridging information gaps and internalizing environmental costs - in particular, through a traffic load factor.

Design: The research is based on a quantitative survey (N=1,725) and follow-up interviews (N=40). The survey examined consumer behavior at all stages of the appliance life cycle - production, transport, use and disposal - and identified barriers to environmentally responsible purchasing. The findings served as the basis for the design of a smartphone-based decision support tool. Although the research data was collected in January 2021, the findings are still relevant in 2025 as consumers still face challenges in understanding energy labels and assessing the environmental impact of appliances.

Key findings: Findings reveal significant gaps in consumers' ability to interpret energy labels and assess total cost of ownership. Although energy efficiency is considered important, price remains the dominant factor in purchase decisions. The proposed application integrates features such as energy cost calculation, transport emissions, blockchain traceability and AI-driven recommendations.

Originality: This study makes a unique contribution by combining empirical behavioral research with a digitally enhanced solution tailored to real-world consumer decision-making. It responds to a gap in the current literature that often neglects the end-user perspective in sustainability interventions and rarely proposes actionable, technology-based tools to promote sustainable consumption in the retail context.