Abstract

This study hierarchizes the importance of technological, environmental, social, and policy factors on the energy efficiency of domestic refrigerators in Colombia, utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process method to prioritize determinants under real-life conditions and in low-income contexts. Through a systematic literature review and expert consultation, a hierarchical model of criteria and sub-criteria was developed to evaluate the relative impact of variables, including ambient temperature, door opening frequency, and regulatory standards, on electricity consumption. The results show that environmental criteria (58.57%) and social criteria (30.63%) jointly account for 89.20% of the expert-derived priority weight, exceeding the relative weights assigned to techno-thermodynamic and policy criteria. The importance of adapting regulations and educational programs to local conditions to improve energy performance is emphasized. This comprehensive prioritisation provides decision-support evidence for designing context-specific public and technological strategies to promote energy sustainability in the Colombia residential sector.