The question of energy reduction: the problem(s) with feedback
The question of energy reduction: the problem(s) with feedback
With smart metering initiatives gaining increasing global popularity, the present paper seeks to challenge the increasingly entrenched view that providing householders with feedback about their energy usage, via an in-home-display, will lead them to substantially reduce their energy consumption. Specifically, we draw on existing quantitative and qualitative evidence to outline three key problems with feedback, namely: (a) the limited evidence of efficacy, (b) the need for user engagement, and (c) the potential for unintended consequences. We conclude by noting that, in their current form, existing in-home-displays may not induce the desired energy-reduction response anticipated by smart metering initiatives. Instead, if smart metering is to effectively reduce energy consumption there is a clear need to develop and test innovative new feedback devices that have been designed with user engagement in mind
Buchanan, K.
a39a4a25-bd6a-466a-bcb6-435383d2a25d
Russo, R.
b6976248-b52f-45ac-9d1f-36c79eddfc51
Anderson, B.
01e98bbd-b402-48b0-b83e-142341a39b2d
February 2015
Buchanan, K.
a39a4a25-bd6a-466a-bcb6-435383d2a25d
Russo, R.
b6976248-b52f-45ac-9d1f-36c79eddfc51
Anderson, B.
01e98bbd-b402-48b0-b83e-142341a39b2d
Buchanan, K., Russo, R. and Anderson, B.
(2015)
The question of energy reduction: the problem(s) with feedback.
Energy Policy, 77.
(doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2014.12.008).
Abstract
With smart metering initiatives gaining increasing global popularity, the present paper seeks to challenge the increasingly entrenched view that providing householders with feedback about their energy usage, via an in-home-display, will lead them to substantially reduce their energy consumption. Specifically, we draw on existing quantitative and qualitative evidence to outline three key problems with feedback, namely: (a) the limited evidence of efficacy, (b) the need for user engagement, and (c) the potential for unintended consequences. We conclude by noting that, in their current form, existing in-home-displays may not induce the desired energy-reduction response anticipated by smart metering initiatives. Instead, if smart metering is to effectively reduce energy consumption there is a clear need to develop and test innovative new feedback devices that have been designed with user engagement in mind
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e-pub ahead of print date: 17 December 2014
Published date: February 2015
Organisations:
Energy & Climate Change Group
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 372819
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/372819
ISSN: 0301-4215
PURE UUID: 08f4441e-1722-48d8-9643-3f4866a9c419
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Date deposited: 19 Dec 2014 15:15
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 18:43
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Author:
K. Buchanan
Author:
R. Russo
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