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Change the mental model, change the behavior: using interface design to promote appropriate energy consuming behavior in the home

Change the mental model, change the behavior: using interface design to promote appropriate energy consuming behavior in the home
Change the mental model, change the behavior: using interface design to promote appropriate energy consuming behavior in the home
This paper considers how designs of typical home heating systems fall short in the way they communicate their function to householders, and offers a ‘mental models’ approach to design as an alternative. Revell & Stanton (2014; 2015; In Press) identified that inappropriate mental models of heating controls influenced users’ behavior strategies to conserve energy. Domestic energy accounts for approximately 30% of UK consumption, and 60% of this is as a result of space heating (DECC, 2013). Previous work by the authors’ drives the focus of design changes at both the device and system level. Guidelines by Manketelow and Jones (1987) and Norman (2002) are used to understand how existing devices may unintentionally ‘say the wrong thing’ and improve functional communication in the redesign. Feedback from a pilot study using a simulator to demonstrate the resulting ‘control panel style’ of heating operation is also provided.
769-778
Revell, K.M.A.
f280757d-7825-4cb6-9266-456d348f9a75
Stanton, N.A.
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Revell, K.M.A.
f280757d-7825-4cb6-9266-456d348f9a75
Stanton, N.A.
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd

Revell, K.M.A. and Stanton, N.A. (2016) Change the mental model, change the behavior: using interface design to promote appropriate energy consuming behavior in the home. 8th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, Orlando, United States. pp. 769-778 . (doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41983-1_69).

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

This paper considers how designs of typical home heating systems fall short in the way they communicate their function to householders, and offers a ‘mental models’ approach to design as an alternative. Revell & Stanton (2014; 2015; In Press) identified that inappropriate mental models of heating controls influenced users’ behavior strategies to conserve energy. Domestic energy accounts for approximately 30% of UK consumption, and 60% of this is as a result of space heating (DECC, 2013). Previous work by the authors’ drives the focus of design changes at both the device and system level. Guidelines by Manketelow and Jones (1987) and Norman (2002) are used to understand how existing devices may unintentionally ‘say the wrong thing’ and improve functional communication in the redesign. Feedback from a pilot study using a simulator to demonstrate the resulting ‘control panel style’ of heating operation is also provided.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 6 July 2016
Venue - Dates: 8th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, Orlando, United States, 2016-07-06
Organisations: Civil Maritime & Env. Eng & Sci Unit

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 405148
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/405148
PURE UUID: 44bbe563-5a95-45f8-bab0-80bff5f913d4
ORCID for N.A. Stanton: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8562-3279

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 27 Jan 2017 14:09
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 04:00

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Contributors

Author: K.M.A. Revell
Author: N.A. Stanton ORCID iD

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