The value of adding ambient energy feedback to conservation tips and goal-setting in a dormitory

Abstract

Purpose The majority of research on energy feedback has been conducted in residential households; in this study, the authors aim to examine the effectiveness of similar initiatives in a college environment. The our goal was to see how much additional electricity savings could be induced using feedback beyond average savings achieved by goal-setting and to provide students information on how to conserve. Design/methodology/approach All participants set goals related to personal environmental behavior and received electricity-saving tips. Half of the participants were exposed to real-time, group-level, ambient and direct feedback of electric use for their dormitory floor through an iPad display. The control group received no feedback. Findings The group that received the real-time feedback reduced its consumption, whereas the control group did not. The feedback group’s change in consumption was significantly greater than the control group’s. The results are discussed in the context of injunctive norms, reminders, ambient feedback and numerical feedback, as well as the theory of planned behavior. Research limitations/implications Further research could test for long-term effects, whether the interventions applied in this study would be effective in other university contexts and whether the interventions would influence other environmental habits apart from electricity consumption on campuses. Originality/value This is one of the first energy feedback studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of group-level data, let alone specifically in a college dormitory and has implications for influencing conservation behavior of residential college students worldwide.