Energy Conservation and the Role of the Consumer

Begins and ends with active consumer participation

With all the attention being paid to technology and its role in energy conservation, the critical factor driving success in meeting energy conservation goals is shaping consumer behavior. The most sophisticated technology, aggressive advertising campaign and even eye-catching commercial incentives will produce anemic results, unless the combined efforts of utilities, product providers and regulatory  / governmental agencies recognize the realities of consumer attitudes and behaviors with respect to energy usage; namely:

• Meet the essential requirements of brightness (light bulbs brightly and quickly), security (ward of criminals), and safety (visibility and responsiveness)
• Establish solutions that integrate seamlessly with current routines (i.e. convenience)
  

  Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

• Remain within a reasonable price threshold with a relatively short “return-on-investment” time horizon (remaining within a threshold price removes the objections and a realistic return encourages behavioral change)

In parallel with implementing these consumer behavior-related themes is the need to identify and “market” to the influencers (e.g. builders, electricians, architects, political groups and environmental activists), recognizing that their support provides the necessary impetus to operationalizing the applicable solutions.

An understanding of negative and positive influences is critical

There are at least 5 areas of influence to address in establishing a workable solution:

• Comfort: Will the consumer adjust/take measures to live in a cooler (winter) or warmer (summer) environment?
• Economics: Does the consumer understand the significance of the aggregated savings to the local economy vs. the relatively minor impact to his/her electric bill?
• Convenience: Where are the control devices (e.g. thermostat) located and is the programming intuitive (i.e. easy)?
• Usage: Does the process account for varying levels of occupying the house and/or using rooms within the house?
• Outside Influencers: Can the program adapt to varying scenarios regarding visitors and other family members (e.g. entertainment, infants, pets, and parental upbringing)

This understanding can be translated into operating tactics

The installation of programmable devices (e.g. programmable thermostat) provides the capability to adjust energy usage based on a number of initiating events:

• Arriving or leaving the house
• Sleeping or waking up
• Change in family members (children, pets, etc.)
• Change in activity-level and/or types of clothes
• Location of family members (parts of house in use)