Information, timing, and display: A design-behavior framework for improving the effectiveness of eco-feedback

Abstract

Eco-feedback is information about resource (energy, water, food) consumption provided back to consumer(s) with the goal of promoting more sustainable behavior. Effective eco-feedback relies upon an understanding of key eco-feedback design dimensions and how they relate to behavior change. This paper develops a conceptual framework that includes a typology of eco-feedback design dimensions and maps those dimensions on to the behavioral mechanisms of attention, learning, and motivation. To develop this framework, we synthesized, clarified, and expanded on previous discussions of eco-feedback design dimensions across multiple academic disciplines. Our analysis yielded three types of behaviorally-relevant eco-feedback design dimensions: information, timing, and display. Information dimensions include granularity, metrics, valence, and contextual information. Timing dimensions include latency, strategic timing, and frequency and duration. Display dimensions include medium, modality, style, location, audience, and response requirement. Each of these dimensions has implications for eco-feedback salience, precision, or meaning, qualities that correspond to the behavioral mechanisms of attention, motivation, and learning, respectively.

Determinants of the Willingness to Energy Monitoring by Residential Consumers: A Case Study in the City of Wroclaw in Poland

“…As in the mainstream literature regarding eco-feedback and consumers' responsiveness to smart energy monitors, see for example [18,41,42,[45][46][47][48][51][52][53][54]56], we have shown that positive environmental attitudes and positive thinking about monitoring ("energy monitoring is good") is not enough to induce consumers' long-term monitoring behaviors and to engage them to use SMP on a regular basis. Even if most of the consumers have revealed positive attitudes towards monitoring in general, and many of them have intended to contribute to environmental protection by monitoring their energy usage, at the same time, approx.…”

“…The effects of providing consumers with the information and feedback regarding their energy consumption and its impact on behavioral change have been widely investigated [18,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. Various forms of feedback, such as: direct, indirect and inadvertent, were defined dependent on how information is spread, on its type, and on the quality and quantity of data presented [21,49].…”

“…Recently, by means of empirical research and literature review, the effectiveness of three main elements of so called eco-feedback design, such as: its display, timing and information provided, were analyzed [45,47,51]. Buchanan et al [51] indicate that feedback my increase physical and conscious visibility of consumption and knowledge about it.…”

Of impacts, agents, and functions: An interdisciplinary meta-review of smart home energy management systems research

“…However, many strategies that include or rely on the user in efforts to positively affect home energy use do exist [41] and automated control strategies will likely not be sufficient to render them obsolete. Innovations in remote sensing and machine learning offer the chance to improve behavior-based demandside management strategies [40], including more effective eco-feedback interfaces that are salient, precise, and motivating [42] and "eco-feedforward" advice and prompts for personalized actions or new routines households could assimilate into their lifestyles [43]. Pilot studies around such programs have already begun to show initial promise [44][45][46].…”

Exploring the Potentials of ICT Tools for Human-Centric Regenerative Design

“…Building inhabitants are rarely aware of the consistency and quality of their energy consumption, the services in use, and the related environmental impacts [33]. When they are, they are rarely informed about meaningful benchmarks, thresholds, or viable alternatives to change, for example, temperature and lighting levels, nor are they interested in achieving significant improvements without sacrificing comfort, security, or wellbeing [34].…”