Rural Household LPG Energy Consumption in Sri Rangam Taluk of Tiruchirappalli District

Abstract

This study examines the transition from traditional solid fuels to clean energy in the rural blocks of Manikandam and Andanallur within the Sri Rangam Taluk of Tiruchirappalli District. Amidst global energy market volatility and supply chain disruptions in West Asia as of March 2026, the research investigates the socio-economic factors influencing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) adoption and the impact of price fluctuations on refill frequency. Utilizing a multistage random sampling method with 380 respondents, the study reveals a population primarily composed of lower-income, medium-sized households. Statistical analysis using Pearson Correlation and Chi-Square tests indicates that neither family size (p = 0.882) nor family income (p = 0.678) serves as a significant predictor for LPG adoption or cost. Furthermore, the impact of price changes due to supply disruptions showed a borderline significance (p = 0.051), leading to a notable "fuel stacking" trend where 44.47% of households reverted to firewood as a primary energy source. The findings conclude that while demographic factors are secondary, immediate market costs significantly dictate fuel choices, necessitating policy interventions focused on price stability and targeted subsidies to prevent a total regression to hazardous traditional fuels