Behavioral approaches to residential energy conservation

Abstract

This article outlines some of the research conducted by social psychologists to reduce residential energy consumption. The results of two attitudinal surveys demonstrated that homeowners' summer electricity consumption could be predicted from their energy-related attitudes. Personal comfort and health concers were the best predictors of consumption. Psychologically derived techniques to reduce summer electricity consumption were experimentally examined in three separate studies. In study 1, almost daily consumption feedback was found to reduce electricity usage 10.5%. In study 2, subjects receiving frequent feedback, who were also asked to adopt a difficult conservation goal, reduced their electricity consumption 13.0%. In study 3, a device that signaled homeowners when they could cool their houses without air conditioning by opening their windows led to a reduction in consumption of 15.7%. It was concluded that the resident can play an important role in energy conservation that complements engineering solutions.