Residential and commercial buildings collectively account for over two-thirds of electricity usage (EPA 2010, EIA 2010). While current research indicates that behavioral changes induced by detailed feedback to consumers about their energy usage can greatly reduce residential energy consumption, more rigorous, long-term studies are required to determine how energy consumption feedback can be used as an effective tool for energy conservation. In this study we will undertake an experiment where we implement electricity monitoring technologies, private real-time information displays, public information posting, and incentive programs in a large sample group of graduate student family apartments at the University of California Los Angeles. This is done to determine if and to what extent, real-time, easily accessible energy usage information and financial or other incentives results in significant reductions in energy consumption.

Read: Delmas, Magali. and Neil Lessem Saving Power to Conserve your Reputation: The Effectiveness of Private versus Public Information.

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Published: Friday, April 01, 2011