Sustainable behavioral design of energy consuming products: Science-humanities synthesis

Abstract

In the context of numerous research studies on tools for reducing environmental impact and saving energy, insufficient attention has been paid to the study of the energy consumption of energy-consuming equipment and devices in households and organizations. As a preventive approach developed to optimize the environmental performance of energy consuming products while maintaining their functional qualities, sustainable behavioral design offers new opportunities for producers, consumers and society as a whole. The goal of the research is to adapt existing environmental and energy conservation practices abroad through behavioral design. Designers act at the intersection of different disciplines to solve complex problems of the modern world. European countries have created a framework (structure, legal framework, self-regulation) to establish eco-design requirements for energy-consuming products entering the market in order to improve their energy efficiency, reduce the use of hazardous substances and improve environmental friendliness. Within the framework of sustainable consumer behavior design, the following strategies are identified for its application to the design of energy-using products: eco-information and eco-education, eco-choice, eco-feedback, eco-induction, eco-guidance, eco-technical intervention and smart design. The methodology of energy-using product design selection is proposed to be based on the theory of solving the inventive objectives.