Upload
olivia-young
View
228
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Purpose 1). test the effectiveness of a combination of interventions: tailored information, feedback and goal setting 2). examine why this combination was (in)effective underlying determinants: knowledge
Citation preview
The effect of tailored information, goal setting and feedback on household
energy use Wokje Abrahamse, Linda Steg & Charles Vlek
Energy conservation?
“Damned green electricity!”
Purpose
1). test the effectiveness of a combination of interventions: tailored information,
feedback and goal setting
2). examine why this combination was(in)effective
underlying determinants: knowledge
Household energy use
Direct energy use Energy use related to gas, electricity and fuel use
• thermostat setting • showering time
Indirect energy use Energy use related related to the production, consumption and disposal of goods
• eating meat • car use for distances shorter than 5 km
Interventions
Information 1). about energy problems 2). about energy saving measures (‘tailored’)
• Lower thermostat setting• Reduce showering time• Eat less meat• Reduce amount of waste
Increase of knowledge
Interventions
Goal settingProvide households with a reference point
Individual goal of 5%Group goal (inhabitants of Groningen) of 5%
Interventions
Feedback about energy savings Insight into (changes in) energy use
• individual feedback: own performance• group feedback: own performance compared to performance of the group of participants
Outline
Longitudinal study: 1 before the intervention (pre-test)2 after the intervention (after 2 and 5 months)
Design1). Tailored information, goal setting (5%), individual feedback (N = 62)2). Tailored information, (group) goal setting (5%), individual feedback, group feedback (N = 61)3). Control group (N = 52)
Changes in total energy use five months after the intervention
-0.7
5 5.3
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
control group
individualfeedbackgroup feedback
Results
Changes in direct energy use five months after the intervention
2.8
7.78.6
0123456789
control group
individualfeedbackgroup feedback
Results
Changes in indirect energy use five months after the intervention
-3
3.8 4
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
control group
individualfeedbackgroup feedback
Results
19
19.2
19.4
19.6
19.8
20
20.2
before after
control group
groupfeedbackindividualfeedback
Day-time thermostat setting before and five months after the intervention
Results
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
9.5
10
before after
control group
groupfeedbackindividualfeedback
Average showering time per household member before and five months after the intervention
Results
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
before after
control group
groupfeedbackindividualfeedback
Number of car trips per week shorter than 5 km
Results
Determinants: knowledge
What is more energy efficient: cooking on a gas stove or on an electric one?
Experimental 75.4%Control 60.0 %
What uses more energy: A family of four driving 16,000 km a year of flying to the west-coast of the U.S.?
Experimental 74.4%Control 56.4%
Scientific implications
• combination of tailored information, goal setting and feedback seems effective
• educate people on indirect energy use(knowledge)
• Internet a promising medium for behavioral change