Download or read book Informed Home Energy Behavior written by Byron John Stigge and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 85 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A conceptual design of a home energy console is proposed that could contribute to home energy conservation by motivating behavior changes. A home energy console is a digital display in the home which should motivate behavior changes by visualizing energy consumption at the point of consumption, providing feedback on past performance, and suggesting improvements for future performance. The resulting console should be more tool-like than simply a presentation of data, meaning homeowners should take an active role in the control, operation and maintenance of their homes. By aiding small day to day decisions the console should gradually influence major decisions and lifestyles. This investigation was motivated by research from 1977 to 1985 that demonstrated how feedback on daily energy use, thermostat setpoints, and open windows could reduce energy consumption by up to 20%. This thesis represents, in a current context, this body of knowledge including examples of feedback techniques to encourage conservation, incentives for different types of people, and a control theory which engages the user for the purposes of learning and environmental awareness. This thesis presents a design and evaluation process of developing a prototype console. The process consisted of: reviewing prior studies on home energy feedback, developing behavioral theories for energy conservation education, performing user testing from paper sketches of a mock-up console design, and evaluating test sessions of a prototype design on a touchscreen and digital table. User testing was conducted with non-MIT test subjects in a laboratory setting with mock-up display designs. The qualitative findings were attitudes and expectations of the testers, and included: specific examples of cost feed back, methods for appealing to different types of people and suggestions for an effective structuring of the console, solutions for presenting different people feedback in their own personal way. The thesis should help future energy console designers start thinking about designing a better energy console.
Download or read book Energy Efficiency written by Barrett Williams and published by Barrett Williams. This book was released on 2024-08-17 with total page 105 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: **Energy Efficiency Transforming Your Home into an Eco-Efficient Sanctuary** Unlock the secrets to slashing your energy bills, reducing your carbon footprint, and creating a more comfortable home with **Energy Efficiency**, the ultimate guide for homeowners committed to sustainable living. Dive into this comprehensive eBook and discover the fundamental principles of residential energy efficiency. Start with an in-depth understanding of what energy efficiency really means and the myriad benefits it delivers, from cost savings to environmental impact. **Chapter Highlights** - **Understanding Residential Energy Efficiency** Grasp the basic concepts and key metrics that measure your home’s energy performance. - **Evaluating Your Home’s Energy Use** Learn to conduct thorough energy audits and take advantage of smart meters to track usage and identify inefficiencies. - **Insulation and Sealing** Discover the vital role that insulation plays and explore various materials and techniques for sealing air leaks. - **Windows and Doors** Optimize your home’s thermal envelope with energy-efficient windows and weatherproofing techniques. - **Heating and Cooling Systems** Maximize comfort while minimizing energy use with efficient heating solutions and programmable thermostats. - **Water Heating** Explore advanced water heating options and techniques to reduce hot water consumption. - **Lighting** Brighten your home efficiently with LED lighting, motion sensors, and maximizing natural daylight. - **Appliances and Electronics** Choose the best energy-efficient appliances and reduce standby power consumption with smart home technology. - **Renewable Energy Options** Consider integrating solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal systems to further cut energy costs. - **Behavioral Changes to Save Energy** Incorporate daily habits and engage your family in adopting energy-smart practices. - **Landscaping for Energy Efficiency** Utilize strategic planting, green roofs, and efficient outdoor lighting to enhance energy savings. - **Financing and Incentives** Navigate energy efficiency tax credits, utility rebate programs, and financing options to fund home improvements. - **DIY vs. Professional Help** Decide when to take on projects yourself and when to hire experts, backed by a cost-benefit analysis. - **Monitoring and Adjusting** Use energy management systems and analyze utility bills to continually improve your home’s efficiency. - **Case Studies and Success Stories** Get inspired by real-life examples and avoid common pitfalls on your journey to a sustainable home. Transform your residence into an eco-efficient haven with practical tips, expert insights, and clear guidelines. **Energy Efficiency** is your essential resource for a greener, more cost-effective future. Purchase your copy today and start making sustainable changes to your home!
Download or read book Residential Energy Feedback written by Beth Mishon Karlin and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 182 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Scientists and elected officials agree that climate change is an issue that can no longer be ignored and residential energy use is a prime target for reducing emissions. One promising strategy for promoting conservation is the provision of feedback about energy use. Feedback--the process of giving people information about their behavior to reinforce and/or change behavior--is receiving increasing attention due to changes in technology and infrastructure that allow information to be collected, processed, and sent back to consumers quickly and cheaply. Many programs and products have emerged in recent years, demonstrating political and technical potential for wide-scale provision of energy feedback. However, past work has been critiqued for its lack of theoretical rigor; many have called for more attention to the conditions under which theories are successful in explaining conservation. This dissertation presents an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach to understanding the role of feedback in residential energy conservation through four distinct yet interrelated studies. The first utilizes meta-analysis of 42 studies to examine whether feedback has an overall effect on energy use and how this effect is moderated by variables related to treatment, study quality, and publication. The second introduces a taxonomy of feedback technology derived from a content analysis of 196 devices; it presents a list of key energy feedback characteristics and a taxonomy structure for categorizing energy feedback according to these features. The third presents mixed-methods analysis of characteristics and user experience of naturalistic users of energy feedback from an online survey of 846 individuals. And the final study introduces and tests the Usability Perception Scale (UPscale) with psychometric analysis from an 1103-person experimental study; it integrates approaches from psychology and human-computer interaction to begin addressing the need for scalable, replicable instruments for testing mediation of feedback effectiveness. As a whole, this manuscript seeks to extend what is known about energy feedback and to make suggestions for future research. While there is much research addressing whether feedback works, there has been little research into the more nuanced questions of how and for whom it works best. This dissertation aims to address this need.
Download or read book Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings written by Alex Wilson and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The updated 5th edition of Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings identifies the most energy-efficient home appliances by brand name and model number. Reader-friendly and packed with illustrations, this handbook helps any homeowner save energy and money. Chapters include: -- energy use and the environment -- insulating and sealing air leaks -- new window options -- space heating -- cooling and air conditioning -- water heating -- refrigeration -- lighting...and much more This book is as compact and efficient as its subject matter. Its 274 pages are crammed with money-saving information. A directory of manufacturers helps the reader access purchase information on recommended appliances.
Download or read book Designing Behavioral Solutions to Reduce Residential Energy Use written by Marilyn Cornelius and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Energy use in the U.S. residential sector accounts for a substantial portion of the United States' greenhouse gas emissions when considering residential buildings, personal transportation, and food. One opportunity to significantly lower this footprint is to focus on individual-level behavioral changes. To date, however, few climate- and energy-related behavioral interventions have been designed, implemented, rigorously evaluated, and reported in peer-reviewed literature. This dissertation begins to address that gap using an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach that targets different population segments with studies that aim to better understand and reduce energy use in homes. Three studies constitute this dissertation: (1) identification of options for sizable residential energy savings; (2) design, implementation and evaluation of a theory-based behavioral intervention to motivate reductions in residential energy use, and (3) investigation of the concept of "global identity, " which is hypothesized to be associated with change in energy use behaviors. The first study identifies viable energy-saving alternative behaviors from experts and historical and contemporary cultures to inform the increasing number of behavioral interventions being planned and developed. This project uses exploratory ethnographic and design methods to develop foundational insights on these issues from a user-centered perspective, specifically among adults. The project identifies over one hundred options, as well as distinct principles to guide energy reductions. The second study undertakes the design, implementation, and efficacy of a social cognitive theory-based, school-based intervention for adolescents in a public high school setting. Results of the randomized controlled trial indicate significant improvements in energy- and greenhouse gas emissions-related behaviors in students who received the intervention compared to controls. The third study examines the measurement characteristics of a global identity measure previously used in other domains and its relationship to energy- and greenhouse gas emissions-related behaviors in a subsample from the intervention study, finding global identity to be directly associated with those behaviors. Collectively, this work uncovers insights about home energy use and other greenhouse gas emissions-related behaviors and potential ways to change them, and will inform the design of future behavioral interventions.
Download or read book Investigating the Human Behavior Side of Building Energy Efficiency written by Chao Chen and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We describe and evaluate each of these contributions using electricity consumption data from actual smart homes as part of the CASAS smart home project. In each case we illustrate the efficacy of these algorithms to gaining insights on human behavior and its impact on energy consumption, and offer ideas for using these insights to promote sustainable behaviors.
Download or read book Work Meets Life written by Robert Levin and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2011 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Work as fundamental to life, explored at different levels of organization from the perspectives of a variety of biological and nonbiological disciplines.
Download or read book Household Energy Conservation written by Sandra H. Berry and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Innovations in Home Energy Use written by BRIAN G. SOUTHWELL and published by RTI Press. This book was released on 2016-01-03 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As a collection of essays that explore innovations to encourage reduction in homeowner energy use, this volume reflects a confluence of ideas and initiatives rather than a narrow look at what a single, particular line of academic literature suggests might be possible to shape homeowner behavior. Not only do the contributors represent a wide array of institutions and backgrounds, but the very intellectual infrastructure that encouraged and allowed the summit that inspired this book itself represents a conscious effort to facilitate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration for the purpose of addressing salient societal concerns. With this volume, we hope to provide a source of ideas for behavior change that will appeal to a range of people charged with curbing residential energy use through communication-based intervention.
Download or read book Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2011-01-07 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global climate change is one of America's most significant long-term policy challenges. Human activity-especially the use of fossil fuels, industrial processes, livestock production, waste disposal, and land use change-is affecting global average temperatures, snow and ice cover, sea-level, ocean acidity, growing seasons and precipitation patterns, ecosystems, and human health. Climate-related decisions are being carried out by almost every agency of the federal government, as well as many state and local government leaders and agencies, businesses and individual citizens. Decision makers must contend with the availability and quality of information, the efficacy of proposed solutions, the unanticipated consequences resulting from decisions, the challenge of implementing chosen actions, and must consider how to sustain the action over time and respond to new information. Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change, a volume in the America's Climate Choices series, describes and assesses different activities, products, strategies, and tools for informing decision makers about climate change and helping them plan and execute effective, integrated responses. It discusses who is making decisions (on the local, state, and national levels), who should be providing information to make decisions, and how that information should be provided. It covers all levels of decision making, including international, state, and individual decision making. While most existing research has focused on the physical aspect of climate change, Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change employs theory and case study to describe the efforts undertaken so far, and to guide the development of future decision-making resources. Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change offers much-needed guidance to those creating public policy and assists in implementing that policy. The information presented in this book will be invaluable to the research community, especially social scientists studying climate change; practitioners of decision-making assistance, including advocacy organizations, non-profits, and government agencies; and college-level teachers and students.
Download or read book Planning After Petroleum written by Jago Dodson and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2016-10-04 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The past decade has been one of the most volatile periods in global petroleum markets in living memory, and future oil supply security and price levels remain highly uncertain. This poses many questions for the professional activities of planners and urbanists because contemporary cities are highly dependent on petroleum as a transport fuel. How will oil dependent cities respond, and adapt to, the changing pattern of petroleum supplies? What key strategies should planners and policy makers implement in petroleum vulnerable cities to address the challenges of moving beyond oil? How might a shift away from petroleum provide opportunities to improve or remake cities for the economic, social and environmental imperatives of twenty-first-century sustainability? Such questions are the focus of contributors to this book with perspectives ranging across the planning challenge: overarching petroleum futures, governance, transition and climate change questions, the role of various urban transport nodes and household responses, ways of measuring oil vulnerability, and the effects on telecommunications, ports and other urban infrastructure. This comprehensive volume – with contributions from and focusing on cities in Australia, the UK, the US, France, Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea – provides key insights to enable cities to plan for the age beyond petroleum.
Download or read book Eco Friendly Energy Processes and Technologies for Achieving Sustainable Development written by Danish, Mir Sayed Shah and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2020-10-23 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rapid changes in technology and lifestyle have led to a dramatic increase in energy demand. Growing energy demand is the main cause of environmental pollution, but the efficient use of renewable resources and technologies for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors offers the opportunity to diminish energy dependence, ensure efficiency and reliability, reduce pollutant emissions, and buoy national economies. Eco-friendly energy processes are the key to long-term sustainability. Eco-Friendly Energy Processes and Technologies for Achieving Sustainable Development is a collection of innovative research that identifies sustainability pillars such as environmental, technical, social, institutional, and economic disciplines and explores the longevity of these disciplines through a resource-oriented approach. Featuring coverage of a broad range of topics including environmental policy, corporate accountability, and urban planning, this book is ideally designed for policymakers, urban planners, engineers, advocates, researchers, academicians, and students.
Download or read book Empowering Consumers to Reduce Residential Energy Waste written by Kathy Ann Donnelly and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis considers behavior change strategies to increase CT residential energy efficiency uptake in the context of an action research pilot. Action research includes experimental pilot deployment within a realworld system, continuously analyzing customers participating in their daily lives. The approach allows for simultaneous planning, execution, and evaluation, as well as concurrent development of major program changes, real-time solutions, and innovative responses. The Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge (N2N), in which my research was conducted, was designed to determine the minimum conditions necessary to administer cost-effective community and behavior-based energy efficiency programs. Customers in 14 small towns complete energy savings actions, such as efficient lighting, weatherization, and upgrades, like insulation, appliance upgrades, advanced air sealing, and renewable energy installations. N2N meets customers where they are already going (e.g., in the field) by partnering with local community groups, town governments, low income and senior organizations, faith communities, education facilities, and business organizations, and using social and earned media channels. I describe the N2N opportunity; program design, execution, and evaluation; primary behavioral research, especially the DOE Home Energy Score behavioral economics experiment; and the post-grant transition process. Four main pilot implementation components were used, including: lead generation using behavioral marketing, research, and outreach approaches; a technology platform closely tracking the customer; a continuous process of evaluation; and frequently published results dashboards. The research discovered gaps in program performance that will hinder meeting CT's long-term energy, efficiency, and carbon reduction goals. N2N is also finding evidence of increasing rates of upgrade uptake, where word of mouth and self-herding (e.g., where people follow past behavior) leads to action for others, as well as additional actions in individual households, respectively. The research finds two main recommendations for CT energy efficiency programs: 1) Continue to fund fast-paced, testing grounds for efficiency programs outside of current regulatory constraints to: inform program design and policy decisions, as well as direct market innovation, and 2) Use social and behavioral approaches to encourage viral spreading of efficiency uptake.
Download or read book The Handbook of Behavior Change written by Martin S. Hagger and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-07-15 with total page 730 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Social problems in many domains, including health, education, social relationships, and the workplace, have their origins in human behavior. The documented links between behavior and social problems have compelled governments and organizations to prioritize and mobilize efforts to develop effective, evidence-based means to promote adaptive behavior change. In recognition of this impetus, The Handbook of Behavior Change provides comprehensive coverage of contemporary theory, research, and practice on behavior change. It summarizes current evidence-based approaches to behavior change in chapters authored by leading theorists, researchers, and practitioners from multiple disciplines, including psychology, sociology, behavioral science, economics, philosophy, and implementation science. It is the go-to resource for researchers, students, practitioners, and policy makers looking for current knowledge on behavior change and guidance on how to develop effective interventions to change behavior.
Download or read book Empowered Homes written by Barrett Williams and published by Barrett Williams. This book was released on 2024-04-30 with total page 103 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Illuminate Your Home's Future with "Empowered Homes"! Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey towards self-sufficiency and sustainable living? "Empowered Homes" is your encompassing guide to embracing the solar revolution and harnessing the power of the sun to fuel your home and your life. Whether you're intrigued by the history and advancement of home solar power, or you're ready to take the plunge and retrofit your own abode, this comprehensive eBook offers an immersive experience into the world of renewable energy. Dive into "Empowered Homes" and unravel the myriad benefits solar energy brings to the table. Discover how you can debunk prevalent myths and shine light on the facts with confidence and clarity. Our sections on Solar Energy 101 elucidate the technical wizardry that turns humble sunlight into electricity and detail the pros and cons of grid-tied versus off-grid systems. Explore the feasibility of solar energy for your dwelling in a focused chapter that guides you through assessing your energy needs and calculating the financial payoff. We provide the tools to meticulously plan your solar setup, considering factors like optimal panel types, orientation, and the complex dance with local building codes and homeowner association dynamics. Financing a solar project can be daunting, but "Empowered Homes" breaks down every available option, helping you navigate incentives, loans, leases, and returns on investment. Select the perfect solar provider with our tips, and gain confidence as you understand warranties and service agreements all before a single panel graces your roof. When you're ready for installation, this eBook is right there with you. From the anticipation of installation day to the exhilaration of DIY projects for the handy homeowner, our step-by-step guidance ensures a smooth transition to solar power. But the journey doesn't end there; "Empowered Homes" delves into system monitoring, maintenance, and integrating solar with smart home technology. We address larger community initiatives, policy advocacy, and the vital role solar plays in emergency preparedness. Finally, envision a brighter future as we explore upcoming technological leaps, and connect with a like-minded community ready to champion solar energy. "Empowered Homes" is more than a read—it's a repertoire of robust resources and real-life stories illustrating the transformative journey of homeowners like you, who decided to turn towards the sun. Don't wait to take the reins of your energy future. The age of solar is here, and with "Empowered Homes," it's at your fingertips. Welcome to your well-illuminated life!
Download or read book Urban Energy Poverty and Positive Energy Districts written by Siddharth Sareen and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2022-02-15 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book A Behavior Analytical Perspective on the Relationship of Context Structure and Energy Using Flexibility in Problems of Supply and Demand Mismatch written by Farina Wille and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-09-22 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Enabling an integration of large amounts of variable renewable energy (VRE) into an energy system is an important contribution to reduce part of its associated carbon dioxide emissions. A resulting challenge from integrating VRE is an increase in mismatch between supply and demand which could be reduced by increasing demand side flexibility in the residential sector by shifting energy using behavior. This thesis offers a theoretical and empirical analysis of energy using flexibility based on behavior analysis principles to relate what it can mean to account for a human dimension in an electrical energy system. To characterize degrees of freedom in allocating behavior and options for flexibility of energy using behavior, variability of behavioral patterns in terms of homogeneity between individuals is analyzed. Notably, even in times for which one could principally expect more variability between behavioral patterns such as in the afternoon and evening, one finds that behavioral activities are pre-structured, clearly limiting the possibilities for shifting energy using behavior. The behavior analytical perspective highlights the importance of addressing context structure and associated behavioral effort for shifting behavior, when addressing the challenge of mitigating the mismatch problem for a more sustainable energy system.
