The most interesting thing about his character for me at the beginning of the series is how he genuinely does not believe that his "energy conservation" lifestyle is superior and his constantly "I'm not that smart" remarks.
Usually people live the way they are because, IMO, they think that's the best way to go. The best theory on his behavior I hear is he just does not know what and where he should spend his energy on, since he find nothing to be worth it.
Or maybe the guy read too much about the Universe's heat death and now trying his best to slowdown the increasing entropy
