Energy use behavior research: A scientometric evaluation and critical synthesis

• The paper reviews 30 years of evolving research in energy use behavior. • Provides a comprehensive review of global trends using advanced scientometric tools. • Discusses dominant outputs from around the world also identifying gaps. • Provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry. Global energy use and its environmental impacts have spurred considerable research on energy usage patterns, notably in the built environment, which accounts for a large portion of worldwide energy needs. This study conducted extensive bibliometric analysis to map energy usage behavior research from 1981 until 2024. From 2005, scholarly interest increased significantly in 1,215 works. This matches the global energy conservation and efficiency movement. Most established literature concentrated on developed regions, with North America and Europe contributing significantly. There are few studies from underrepresented regions. Notable publications include ’Energy and Buildings’ and ’Building and Environment.’ These sites are important for research dissemination. The co-occurrence network of keywords like ’energy efficiency’ and ’occupant behavior’ shows the main subjects. Co-authorship research shows substantial collaboration, especially among highly productive academics, indicating a robust energy behavior academic community. The study also notes the limited use of emerging technologies like IoT(Internet of Things) and the need for cross-cultural and longitudinal studies to improve energy saving measures’ adaptability and applicability worldwide. The study also provides actionable recommendations aimed at bridging the gap between research findings and practical applications. This extensive review of energy consumption behavior research sheds light on the current state of affairs and guides future academic and practical efforts to promote more sustainable energy use worldwide.