Insights into the design, use and implementation of home energy management systems

Abstract

Between 2008 and 2011, three different home energy management systems (HEMS)that give feedback on energy consumption were implemented in households in the Netherlands. Home energy management systems are defined as intermediary devices that can visualise, monitor and/or manage domestic gas and/or electricity consumption. Through a series of questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and usability tests, a wide range of knowledge was gathered on factors influencing the effectiveness of the three systems. The resulting insights were structured with the help of a conceptual model, which outlines the various interactions between users, energy monitors, and their social and physical environments. The insights provide a broad spectrum of factors to be considered for the successful design and implementation of home energy management systems. This paper aims to provoke an open discussion to ascertain the value of the different factors and further the development of effective and useful HEMS.