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Smart metering and various consumption-feedback systems can be used as applicable technology to encourage end-use energy efficiency in the residential sector. Many studies have demonstrated the positive influence of socially contextualized feedback on the energy consumption of households, but not many such studies dealt with the specifics of low-income households. This paper evaluates the effect of customized consumption feedback and other information interactions on energy-behaviour patterns and energy savings in low-income households. The experimentation process was accompanied by an interactive awareness campaign, with the emphasis being on a proper understanding of the consumption feedback and other complementary energy services provided to low-income households. The feedback actions were customized to tackle the recognised needs of each specific target household, considering both the social aspects and the typology of the dwelling. The results clearly confirmed the importance of customized information and efficiency indicators for specific household groups, with a potential to increase knowledge and develop awareness with respect to established habits and their relevance to energy behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notwithstanding appliance energy efficiency and advances in Smart Home Technologies (SHT), residential energy consumption is still on the rise. Residential Energy Management Information Systems (REMIS) that enable users to monitor, analyse, and benchmark energy use and consumption can contribute to energy savings and mitigate unnecessary consumption. Nevertheless, the withdrawal of Microsoft's Hohm and Google's Powermeter and the low adoption rate of smart meters in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia signposts missed opportunities in reducing energy intensity. Thus, the question of how to influence the successful adoption of REMIS and other related sustainable technologies captivates both researchers and practitioners. In this paper, based on a conceptual model developed by integrating the theory of planned behaviour and pro-environment behaviour research, we analysed survey data from 208 Singapore testbed eco-town apartment precinct households. The study found that environmental altruism and sustainability information exposure induce normative pressures towards REMIS use and a sense of volitional control over REMIS use. Furthermore, presence of children and the apartment size moderate the causal relationship between attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control concerning REMIS adoption. These findings offer theoretical and empirical insights to cleaner production, residential energy consumption research and other sustainable technologies use that can contribute to UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also discusses the strategic, policy and design implications for energy and technology providers, and residential energy users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]