A Multi-Method Evaluation of the Potential for Using the Electricity Bill to Encourage Energy Savings in Norwegian Households

Abstract

This study explores whether the electricity bill can be used as a medium to deliver information that encourages energy conservation in Norwegian households. Two main categories of information were tested: social comparative feedback and information about the monetary savings that can be made through specific energy-saving measures. The study combines four methods. First, a focus group study gathered advice on the categories and design of information that could influence energy consumption, and addressed general issues on energy consumption. Second, a field experiment monitored actual electricity use in 1000 households over a period of 10 months. In addition, through a survey and a series of in-depth interviews, the experience of the participating households was investigated. The experiment showed no effect on actual consumption. One main barrier was that only half the sample noticed the information. This suggests that the potential for encouraging energy conservation through adding new information to the bill in Norway is limited. The bill is already quite informative and is becoming less relevant as an increasing share of consumers switch to electronic bills and direct debit, which decreases the attention they pay to their bills.

Personality traits and energy conservation

“…This sort of undesired upshot is known as "boomerang effect". Being observed in many normative feedback experiments (e.g., Schultz et al, 2007;Fischer, 2008;Ayres et al, 2012;Saelen and Westskog, 2013), these negative effects remain a serious challenge in energy conservation programs for successful scale-up. Furthermore, the drivers behind successful behaviorbased energy conservation programs remain poorly understood.…”

IoT-Based Electricity Bill for Domestic Applications

“…Table 2 summarizes the current tariffs and it emphasizes the ranges of consumption in a period [28]. 1 Basic, 2 Intermediate low, 3 Intermediate high, 4 Surplus, 5 Maximum kWh allowed per year.…”

“…On the other hand, there is a strong tendency to incorporate this technology to be more efficient in the use of energy by the utilities. However, it is necessary that the end-users of energy at commercial and domestic levels also become aware and generate initiatives in their facilities to optimize the energy consumption [ 2 ].…”

“…However, the answer to this first question originates other more complex questions, such as (1) Is the consumption due to energy leaks? ; (2) Are the appliances consuming more energy than usual? ; (3) How I can reduce the energy consumption?…”

An IoT Integrated Tool to Enhance User Awareness on Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings

“…Encouraging energy savings in residential buildings has been a topic of scientific interest since the 1970s, when the energy crisis made people aware of the possible exhaustion of fossil fuels. Almost 50 years later, it is clear that all intervention addressed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings should be combined with actions aimed at increasing the awareness and participation of end users, also through more frequent and detailed information on energy consumption [1]. In the absence of frequent information, two buildings with similar thermo-physical characteristics and energy performances, even designed consistently with N-ZEB (Net-Zero Energy Buildings) criteria, can consume one twice the other depending upon the occupants' behavior [2].…”