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The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency is crucial to achieve the energy transition and sustainable development goals. The availability of tools that provide clear information on energy consumption plays a key role in this transition, enabling users to monitor, manage, and optimize their energy use. This process, commonly referred to as energy feedback or eco-feedback, involves delivering information regarding energy usage and potentially suggesting more sustainable practices. Within the range of available tools, conversational agents can represent a valuable channel to receive detailed information about energy consumption and tailored advice for improving energy efficiency. The aim of this article is thus to explore the application of conversational agents, focusing on eco-feedback, as these tools are primarily devised to foster user awareness of energy usage and enhance more participatory conservation strategies. To this end, we conducted a keyword-based search of major scientific article databases, applying strict criteria to select relevant studies. The results of the collection showed that there is a very diverse landscape with respect to this topic. The surveyed works exhibit a high versatility in feedback goals. Furthermore, while predominantly applied domestically, they also show potential in commercial and industrial settings. Implementation choices also vary to a great extent, while evaluation practices lack a systematic approach and highlight the need for greater consistency. In light of these remarks, we also outline possible future extensions of this type of application, exploring in particular the emerging challenges associated with the increased use of renewable sources and the rise of local decentralized energy communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across a variety of energy conservation programs and tools, energy data visualizations are common components used to inform and influence behavior. Several studies have explored map-based energy data visualizations and found that they compare favorably to conventional charts and graphs, but all generated more unanswered questions about how, when, and why map-based visualizations work well. This research reviews the current state of knowledge and adds to the limited empirical work on map-based energy displays in order to articulate best practices and support broader use of maps to visualize energy data. Two online experiments were conducted with over 830 participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk to assess and compare the usability of multiple versions of map-based energy displays and bar charts. Results were consistent with past research findings that map-based energy data visualizations are more interesting and enjoyable than more basic displays (bar charts). These findings support a general use case for map-based energy displays when trying to engage a broad audience, including those unfamiliar with energy data, by telling a richer story and elevating the data to be more than a set of metrics. Results also highlight the importance of interactivity for map-based energy displays; participants who used interactive features were more accurate in interpreting energy data than those who did not. Other best practices for map-based energy data visualizations are discussed, including considerations for single-variable heat maps, proportional symbol maps, and dual-encoded proportional symbol maps.

Driver behavior has an immense impact on vehicle fuel economy and emissions, yet it has historically been treated as random error in models of fuel economy and neglected in energy and environmental policy-making regarding fuel efficiency. Recently, concern about fossil fuel depletion and climate change, as well as the critical role of driver behavior in achieving the fuel economy benefits of new hybrid and electric vehicles, has created interest in eco-driving. Eco-driving refers to suites of behavior a driver can engage in to improve fuel economy.The most common strategy used to promote eco-driving is feedback that conveys information about fuel efficiency to the driver. Feedback is typically visual and provided on-board the vehicle via digital screens (dash or instrument cluster displays, after-market devices, or web apps on personal smartphones or tablets). No policies exist requiring manufacturers to provide eco-driving feedback, yet feedback systems of increasing variety are appearing in vehicles, likely due to advances in telematics and decreasing costs of new technologies. The rapidly increasing prevalence and complexity of in-vehicle information systems, along with concern for driver distraction, suggest standardization of eco-driving feedback may be warranted in the near future. Thus, there is a need to understand what types of eco-driving feedback are effective.This white paper presents a statistical meta-analysis of eco-driving feedback studies in order to determine a pooled estimate of the impact on fuel economy and explore how characteristics of feedback interventions influence their impact. It provides the most accurate estimate to-date of the average impact of in-vehicle feedback on fuel economy and summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding characteristics of eco-driving feedback interventions that determine effectiveness.View the NCST Project Webpage

Emissions from road traffic contribute to climate change. One approach to reducing the carbon footprint is providing eco-driving feedback so that drivers adapt their driving style. Research about the impact of eco-feedback on energy consumption is the basis for designing a mobile eco-driving feedback information system that supports drivers in reducing fuel consumption. This work develops design knowledge from existing knowledge. Subsequently, we implement a prototypical instantiation based on the derived knowledge. Insights from a field study suggest that our design artifact allows most drivers to decrease fuel consumption by 4% on average. The paper's theoretical contribution is a set of design principles and an architecture of the proposed mobile eco-driving feedback information system. One recommendation is to provide normative feedback that compares drivers with each other. This feedback appears to encourage drivers to decrease their fuel consumption additionally. The design knowledge may support researchers and practitioners in implementing efficient eco-driving feedback information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing consumers with feedback about their energy consumption is a common strategy in the residential sector, but less common in the commercial sector. Feedback is more complicated in the commercial sector because there are typically many more building occupants to reach, most of whom have no financial incentive to use energy efficiently. Utility energy feedback programs, such as the green button initiative and energy reports, are accessed by a single proprietor or building manager as a paper- or web-based display that is not conducive to widespread dissemination to all relevant occupants. The format is also data-heavy, which many targeted consumers may not find engaging, especially when they have no financial stake in understanding the information. The present research explored the potential role of creative energy feedback displays in workplaces. We implemented a program of extremely low fidelity, ambient feedback: a ceremonial display of flags and music three times per day. Occupants participated in focus groups and surveys before and after the intervention. Results suggest that emotive, low fidelity feedback complements objective, granular feedback by capturing attention and creating motivation to learn how to reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, public feedback on collective behavior leverages social influence, creating a sense of community, group identity, norms for responsible energy consumption, and accountability. Practical implications for building these features into more conventional energy feedback programs will be discussed.

Virtual assistants powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and integrated into the smart home ecosystems facilitate human–building interactions. We have envisioned that the proactive virtual assistant capabilities could be designed to encourage energy conservation behaviours by relying on their nudging effect through conversational interactions, autonomous actuation and guiding users' decision-making. To this end, we investigated how proactive virtual assistants, in a simulated smart home ecosystem, influence occupants to take energy-saving, adaptive actions for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) operations and how participants' personal characteristics affect their responses. Through an interactive online experiment, we collected data from 307 participants from diverse backgrounds across the United States. It was found that proactive communications with follow-up conversations can significantly increase the likelihood of accepting virtual assistance recommendations. This improvement was reflected in an increased number of participants (by 16%) who accepted energy-saving suggestions by comparing initial versus final responses during proactive conversations. Characterizing groups of participants based on their personal features and individual differences showed that user experience (with ∼30% increase), pro-environmental values/beliefs (with ∼24% to 35% increase) and forgiving thermal preferences (with ∼12% increase) had a significant influence on participants' stated likelihood to accept virtual assistants' recommendations and their evaluation of the general concept of proactive communication from virtual assistants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a three-week field study in which participants from nine households were asked to annotate their domestic electricity consumption data using a prototype interactive visualisation. Through an analysis of the annotations and semi-structured interviews, our findings suggest that the intervention helped participants to develop a detailed and accurate understanding of their electricity consumption data. Our results suggest that energy data visualisations can be improved by having users actively manipulate and annotate their data, as doing so encourages reflection on how energy is being used, facilitating insights on how consumption can be reduced. One of the key findings from our thematic analysis was that participants went beyond the data in their reflections, talking about generational issues, upbringing, financial matters, socio-economic comparisons, environmental concern, mistrust towards utilities, convenience, comfort and self-reported waste. Reading beyond the data illustrates the importance of social practices in the context of energy feedback, embedding eco-feedback research into the relevant context of sociology and psychology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-feedback aims at increasing awareness of resource use to encourage conservation. A growing area of concern in sustainable living is food waste, and many new institutional waste receptacles incorporate waste sorting and recycling instructions for waste management. However, little attention has been paid to the design of encouraging awareness of waste in the home, particularly at the point of food waste. We explored the design challenges and effectiveness of novel eco-feedback techniques at the point of food waste through an in-situ study in a university residence. Our E-COmate system captures and visualizes domestic food waste data for more readily comprehensible and accessible information within a home environment embedded in an existing waste bin. Four E-COmate smart bins were introduced, deployed and evaluated for 8 weeks at a student residence in Canada. The aim of the study was to see whether a system like E-COmate could impact food waste patterns and awareness, and if so, to what extent it engages consumers. To explore its impact, a mix of methods was adopted. Waste audits were conducted to explore waste changes. Retrospective interviews were carried out to gain insights in residences' reflections and motivations. We show that E-COmate had a positive impact on participants' awareness of and behavior toward their food waste. Participants who had E-COmate installed in their kitchens showed overall a significant decrease in food waste and in particular a decrease of almost 32% in edible or once edible food waste, and a 69% decrease in generated compost waste during the last 2 weeks compared to the first 2 baseline weeks. Furthermore, while our control group showed an increase of 244% of waste of starches and grains toward the last 2 weeks (i.e., the end of term) compared to the 2 baseline weeks, the intervention group only showed an increase of 4.5% in waste of grains and starches. Eco-feedback further engaged residences in reducing food waste practices starting at the grocery store (e.g., by buying in smaller portions). In sum, eco-feedback as provided by E-COmate had positive impacts on reducing food waste. These findings are a result of increased awareness, the constant presence and immediacy of E-COmate served as a reminder, and their understanding of how much they actually waste as a group. Their awareness was reflected in how they adapted their shopping behavior as one way to reduce waste at home.

In this paper, we introduce a real-time modelling approach to predict the heating and cooling energy consumption of each housing unit in multi-family residential buildings. We first present measured yearly heating and cooling energy use data from an actual building and introduce the eco-feedback design and associated modelling challenges. Subsequently, we present a real-time parameter learning-based modelling approach. The model has a state-space structure while state filtering and parameter estimation are simultaneously executed through particle filter with sequential Bayesian update. The housing unit-level model is coupled with a probabilistic model of the heating and cooling system by using thermostat, power metre, and mechanical system catalogue data through a Bayesian approach. The results show that the median power prediction of the model deviates less than 3.1% from measurements while the model learns seasonal parameters such as the cooling efficiency coefficient through sequential Bayesian update. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new unit-level data-driven modelling approach to normalize heating and cooling (HC) energy usage in multi-family residential buildings based on easily accessible data from smart thermostats and WiFi-enabled power metres. Our physics-informed approach starts from a heat balance equation to derive a linear regression model and uses a Bayesian mixture model to identify groups of units that have similar regression coefficients. Our model captures the effect of behaviour on HC energy consumption by normalizing the effect of building characteristics and accounting for the inter-unit heat transfer and unobserved variables. Our probabilistic approach incorporates unit- and season-specific prior information and sequential Bayesian updating of model parameters when new data become available. Using yearly data collected in a multi-family building, our model identifies distinct normalized HC energy use groups in different seasons and provides more accurate rankings compared to the case without normalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper develops decision-making criteria through literature research to assess the social opinion on green life style and eco-friendly buildings. Validity of criteria was ensured among company executives and academic staff, based on elaborated criteria small pilot survey was performed and analysed. Current research focuses on the influence of demographic variables (e.g., age, gender) and individual subjective characteristic factors; external influencing factors (e.g., social norms, policies) are not used. According to the research results, our concept helps to outline the most crucial factors in industry regarding customer subjective requirements on eco-friendly building and innovative building materials. Nowadays companies need to meet customer requirements in order to adjust them in terms of eco-innovation approach and industry's green ecosystem development and remove the gaps in value preposition. This paper helps to investigate respondents' awareness, requirements, and willingness-to-pay for the eco-friendly houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Onboard eco-driving feedback improves fuel economy by 6.6% on average. • The impact of most onboard feedback tested to-date deteriorates over time. • Eco-driving feedback should include both fine- and course-grained information. • Eco-driving feedback should include performance standards. • Multimodal eco-driving feedback may be more effective than visual only. • Gamification may enhance eco-driving feedback effectiveness. • Interventions should combine eco-driving feedback with education and rewards. Eco-driving refers to suites of behavior a driver can engage in to improve fuel economy. The most common strategy used to promote eco-driving is onboard feedback that conveys information about fuel efficiency to the driver. This paper presents a statistical meta-analysis of eco-driving feedback studies in order to determine a weighted estimate of the average impact of feedback on fuel economy and explore potential moderators of its effectiveness, particularly regarding features of the feedback interface design. The main effect of onboard feedback on fuel economy across the final sample of 17 studies and 23 effect sizes was 6.6% improvement. Feedback that included information about both instantaneous and accumulated performance predicted larger effects. Though not statistically significant, trends in relationships between other feedback design features and fuel economy outcomes aligned with study hypotheses. Length of feedback intervention negatively related to effects, and pairing feedback with instructions or rewards predicted larger effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A review was conducted on the use of persuasive technologies for sustainable living. • Sixty one percentage of the articles focused on electricity consumption issues. • Forty eight percentage of the studies reported a behavioral change. • A few studies were conducted with comparatively smaller sample size for less than a month. • New approaches are required for framing the issues related to sustainability. Abstract Persuasive technology is the application of technology to change human behavior or attitude or both. As applied to sustainable Human Computer Interaction (HCI), it has been the focus of much recent research. To provide an understanding of scope of these studies, this article reviews the literature on this topic published between 2000 and 2016. It is limited to research articles providing an evaluation of persuasive technologies published in peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings in environmental sustainability. Appropriate articles were found using the Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, ASCE digital library and the ACM digital library, using combinations of keywords. Also included were articles meeting the inclusion criteria cited in the ones resulting from the initial search. In total, 38 articles were reviewed, of which 61% focused on electricity consumption issues, with the remaining investigating a variety of other sustainability issues. Further, the results from the analysis of these articles found that the duration of the studies was under one month for approximately half of them. The sample size of the 14 field tests involving families ranged from 1 households to 30, with 12 studies involving a sample size of less than or equal to 10. The sample size of the field studies involving individuals ranged from 4 to 651. Both field and lab studies collected quantitative (consumption and interaction data) and qualitative data (surveys, focus groups, interviews and observations). The results from these 38 articles found that behavioral changes were observed in 42% of the studies. In addition, of the 19 studies reporting an increase in awareness, 8 also reported a behavior change, suggesting a relationship between awareness and behavioral change. This review concludes that more research is needed, specifically, there is a need to design interventions using a socio-technical approach rather than focusing on individuals as the unit of analysis for design and evaluation. In addition, there is a need to expand the research beyond user considerations to include societal and political ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City residence development in China is increasing at an annual rate of 0.5–0.6 billion m 2 , causing vast increases in energy consumption by HVAC facilities and other appliances. Thus, governments and researchers are encouraging the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal energy in residential areas. However, high equipment costs and low energy conversion efficiency have reduced their acceptability to residents. Thus, researchers must determine the eco-feedback equilibrium point that achieves both economic benefit and thermal comfort. The objective of this study is to design and build a nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) with an HVAC system and an onsite solar photovoltaic system. Because HVAC systems typically account for more than 40% of total energy consumption in residences, a 24 h monitoring system was installed in the considered residential setting to measure the temperature, wind velocity, and energy in-out value with/without the HVAC system for several days in summer and winter. The thermal comfort period was analyzed and confirmed, and the air conditioner was switched on during thermal discomfort periods in one summer and one winter month. Temperature, humidity, wind, and energy data was recorded to calculate the average monthly energy consumption that provides all-day thermal comfort. Finally, two analyses were conducted; first, the real measured temperature after construction was recorded for thermal comfort analysis; second, the cost of renewable energy facilities and power consumption was converted to cost efficient rates to assess the feasibility of renewable energy input for the residence. The results of the experiment showed that the house could achieve better thermal comfort in summer than in winter. Contrary to our assumptions, energy consumption was highest in September and October rather than in July and August. Moreover, with a payback period of approximately 11 year, the cost-effectiveness is high for a house in the city of Guilin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While technology advancements are improving the energy efficiency of buildings, occupant behavior remains a critical factor in ensuring the effectiveness of such enhancements. To this end, numerous eco-feedback systems have been developed to reduce building energy use through influencing occupants' behaviors during building operations. Information representation is a critical component in eco-feedback systems, affecting the users' interpretation, engagement, and motivation to reduce energy consumption. Many studies have focused on using different charts and technical units or abstract and artistic visualizations to represent energy consumption. However, the effectiveness of such techniques varies across studies. Recent research emphasizes the need to integrate information representation strategies that balance numeric and aesthetic appeal. Concurrently, studies have called for increased adoption of a Building Information Model (BIM) during a building's operations phase to improve facility management. In this paper, we introduce a new eco-feedback information representation method that combines numeric and aesthetic appeal through leveraging spatial and color-coding techniques in BIM. The BIM-integrated energy visualization approach developed in this paper uses the Revit Application Program Interface (API) and allows users to visualize and compare energy consumption values in 2D and 3D views of a multi-family building through a color-coding scheme in an as-built BIM. The method is validated through a user survey that quantitatively and qualitatively assesses the proposed 2D and 3D BIM eco-feedback compared to more traditional bar chart based eco-feedback. Our findings suggest that 2D spatial, color-coded eco-feedback provides the optimal information representation, as it is easy to understand, while evoking engaging and motivating responses from users. This study advances our understanding of eco-feedback information representation while expanding BIM applications during building operations. These are important steps to address the human dimension of energy efficiency in the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Este artigo reporta pesquisa que teve como objetivo identificar meta-requisitos para o projeto de eco-feedback em lavadoras de roupas voltadas ao morador de habitação de interesse social (HIS). A suposição é que através da aplicação desta estratégia de design na interface da lavadora ocorra o início de um processo de mudança comportamental. O método de pesquisa consistiu de Pesquisa-ação fundamentada pelo Método RITE (Medlock et al., 2002), que permitiu um processo cíclico de desenvolvimento e avaliação de eco-feedbacks para lavadoras automáticas, envolvendo usuários, pesquisadores e fabricante. Neste artigo será reportado apenas o último Ciclo de Ação, o qual aborda um pré-teste de interação. Os resultados da pesquisa incluem uma lista de meta-requisitos para o projeto de eco-feedback para máquinas de lavar roupa.

Eco-feedback as an approach to intervene in energy consumption behavior and encourage energy conservation has achieved considerable success in recent decades. Conclusions about the performance of eco-feedback systems in the literature were mostly drawn based on their short-term performance, during which eco-feedback information was continuously provided. This study, by gradually removing eco-feedback system functions in different phases of an experiment, examines the durability of the behavior-changing effect of eco-feedback under different conditions. The eco-feedback information is delivered using mobile app, which provides a higher level of accessibility than other eco-feedback technologies. A prototype app-based eco-feedback system was developed in this study, and used in an experiment that was carried out in student dormitories. The experiment lasted for fifty-three weeks, and it included four phases, during which the level of functionality of the eco-feedback system varied. The experiment results demonstrated the effectiveness of using mobile app for delivering eco-feedback information. Longitudinal analysis of the results found that the behavior-changing effect of eco-feedback changed over time. The effect was significantly positive in the short term, then became slightly positive in the medium term, and further faded to an insignificant level in the long term. Moreover, analysis of individual participants’ energy consumption profiles revealed that their behavior changes were highly sensitive and responsive to whether and how eco-feedback information was delivered. This study advances the knowledge about app-based eco-feedback and its effect in reshaping the energy consumption behaviors of occupants in dormitory buildings over time. Future research can be done to further validate the generalizability of the findings to other types of residential buildings or eco-feedback systems using different technologies, so as to provide important implication and guidance for implementing eco-feedback in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While technology advancements are increasingly improving the energy efficiency of buildings, occupant behavior remains a critical factor in ensuring the effectiveness of such enhancements. To this end, numerous eco-feedback systems have been developed to reduce building energy use through adjusting occupants’ behaviors. The information represented in an eco-feedback system affects the users’ engagement, motivation, and interpretation. In this paper, we introduce a new information representation method in which a building information model (BIM) is integrated with energy use information to enhance visual representation of energy use. The BIM-integrated energy visualization approach developed in this paper allows users to visualize energy consumption values of each building room through a color-coding scheme in an as-built BIM. Colors correspond to the levels of energy consumption in individual rooms compared to other rooms in a building, which enables a visually intuitive normative comparison for building eco-feedback systems. This representation may lead to increased user engagement in and improved interpretation of eco-feedback systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research and industry practice in eco-feedback technologies has been overwhelmingly focused on behaviour management to reduce energy consumption: building occupants are energy consumers whose behaviour must be modified through the provision of real time data. The transition to a decarbonised economy has resulted in solar households that are now both energy producers and consumers (i.e. prosumers). No research has been conducted on the real time feedback needs of prosumers to inform their decisions to balance their energy consumption, rooftop photovoltaic (PV) generation and electricity grid interaction within a net zero energy (NZE) context. The purpose of this study was to use case studies to examine eco-feedback data from the perspective of prosumers to determine to what extent these technologies are and are not meeting prosumer needs and to evaluate what these findings mean in terms of extended functionality and better design of eco-feedback technologies. The study highlights that existing eco-feedback data is under-utilised in its analysis and visualisation to meet prosumers’ needs for management of consumption, generation and grid interaction. The paper proposes new goals, purposes and mechanisms for eco-feedback technologies to contribute to the social and technological transition to a low carbon society that includes prosumers, however further research is required to test these proposals with prosumers and technology developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raising awareness of the environmental impact of energy generation and consumption has been a recent concern of contemporary society worldwide. Underlying the awareness of energy consumption is an intricate network of perception and social interaction that can be mediated by technology. In this paper we argue that issues regarding energy, environment and technology are very much situated and involve tensions of sociocultural nature. This exploratory investigation addresses the subject by introducing the design of a Socially-inspired Energy Eco-Feedback Technology (SEET), which is composed of an interactive system to trigger and mediate collective savings and a tangible device as a public feedback. Results of an evaluation situated in the context of a school in a socially disadvantaged area in Brazil are discussed, shedding light on the sociocultural aspects related to the subject. The role of the SEET to motivate energy awareness collectively among the social group is assessed, as well as the design characteristics that contributed to that. Outcomes bring to light social aspects and dynamics that would hardly have been predicted, evidencing critical factors related to a socially inspired design approach in the energy awareness domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose to make use of an auditory fuel efficiency display as means to support car drivers in adopting an energy-efficient driving style. We report on the development of the EcoSonic system as a platform for evaluating such displays and present five design approaches to guide their realization. In a study with 30 participants, we evaluated two prototype auditory displays against the baseline of visual-only eco-driving feedback in a within-subject study. Our selected designs are described in full detail. Key findings include a significantly reduced fuel consumption as well as lower engine speeds compared to the visual display. Furthermore, questionnaire analysis results confirm that the auditory conditions are less obtrusive and also seem to allow a more subconscious processing and comprehension of the provided information. Finally, we have found that the affectiveness of the display design seems to have a positive impact on its perceived helpfulness and the ability to absorb its information subconsciously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching HCI in an undergraduate course for computer scientists is often a challenging experience, because the skills that characterize HCI are different from scientific and computational thinking that are the focus of most subjects of the curriculum. Often HCI teaching is organized as a set of lectures that are useful to learn concepts, but don't increase the design skills of the students. This work reports the results of an educational experience where both learners and teachers were actively involved in a process of knowledge construction and design. This process usually happens in other domains, such as architecture or industrial design, but is not part of most computer science curricula. We chose as project a challenging theme: the design of eco-feedback interfaces that inform people about the consequences of their actions for the environment and help to take decisions for lowering energy consumption. Eco-feedback interfaces are also representative of the gap between the products available on the market and the results of scientific studies, evidenced also by a recent workshop about HCI education. The workshop evidenced a number of pitfalls in HCI education that in our educational experience we tried to overcome with appropriate methodologies. An additional challenging task was the attempt to organize all the design activities taking advantage of a platform for remote learning, stressing its limits. The paper will discuss all these issues, evidencing where the applied methodologies gave good results and where they need further improvements, with the final goal of giving useful advices for HCI educational experiences to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings consume a significant amount of energy, estimated at about one-third of total primary energy resources. Building energy efficiency has turned out to be a major issue in limiting the increasing energy demands of the sector. Literature shows that building user behavior can increase the efficiency of the energy used in the building and different strategies have been tested to address and support this issue. These strategies often combine the quantification of energy savings and qualitative interpretation of occupant behavior in order to foster energy efficiency. Strategies that influence building occupant behaviors include eco-feedback, social interaction, and gamification. This review paper presents a study conducted on the state of the art related to the impact of building user behavior on energy efficiency, in order to provide the research community with a better understanding and up-to-date knowledge of energy, comfort-related practices, and potential research opportunities. Achieving and maintaining energy-efficient behavior without decreasing the comfort of building occupants still represents a challenge, despite emerging technologies and strategies as well as general research progress made over the last decade. Conclusions highlight eco-feedback as an effective way to influence behavior, and gamification as a new opportunity to trigger behavioral change. The impact of user behavior is difficult to quantify for methodological reasons. Factors influencing human behavior are numerous and varied. Multi-disciplinary approaches are needed to provide new insights into the inner dynamic nature of occupant’s energy behavior.

To reduce energy consumption in buildings, researchers have in the recent decade explored the potential of changing occupants’ energy consumption behaviors using eco-feedback technologies. Energy consumption behavior is a type of consumer behavior, which has been proven culture-specific in prior research. This paper aims to assess the impact of culture on the effectiveness of eco-feedback technologies in reshaping building occupants’ energy consumption behaviors, and to examine the mechanism of such impact. A total of 39 students from 10 different countries who shared four university dormitories were recruited in an experiment. A web-based eco-feedback system was developed in this study, and implemented in these dormitories. The eco-feedback system was responsible for sending weekly email reminders to students participating in the study and, upon their login, providing them with their detailed energy consumption data as well as those of their peers on a daily basis. Subsequent changes in the students’ energy consumption behaviors were analyzed, and correlated with their cultural background, which was assessed using a survey instrument designed based on Hofstede's cultural dimensions model. The experiment results showed that the mean and variance of changes in energy consumption, in response to the provision of eco-feedback information, differed significantly between participants from different countries. The results also showed that all cultural dimensions were statistically correlated to the effectiveness of the eco-feedback system, which explained how different aspects of culture could influence the energy consumption behaviors of building occupants. The results suggested that eco-feedback technologies should be tailored to specific cultural context to improve their effectiveness in building energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite all improvements in buildings shell, equipment, and design, CO 2 emissions from buildings are increasing. Since occupants spend more than 87% of their time indoors, they are inseparable and significant elements of building system dynamics. Hence, there is a great potential for energy efficiency in buildings using a wide range of programs such as intervention and eco-feedback. Despite the high level of individual differences and intra-class variability of occupants’ behaviors, the current state-of-the-art eco-feedback programs treat all the occupants uniformly and do not target and tailor the feedback. Therefore, it leaves an opportunity to increase the efficacy of eco-feedback systems through the designing of tailored and targeted programs. In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive analysis and tested hypotheses on occupants’ behavioral responses to a normative comparison feedback program, in addition to the impact of notifications on the level of engagement of each group of occupants. We categorized occupants who participated in the normative comparison feedback program into three groups (i.e. low, medium, and high energy consumers) based on their baseline energy consumption, and tested 9 hypotheses. A mixed-effect regression model (MRM) and a paired t -test was implemented to evaluate the proposed hypotheses. The hypotheses examine the variability of occupants’ responses under the same eco-feedback program, and the effectiveness of notifications on reinforcing occupants’ engagement in these programs. The contribution of this paper is two-fold: (1) reporting that the effectiveness of the notifications in eco-feedback programs are initially highly dependent on the type and the nature of the program, and then the interval and the content of the notification, and (2) demonstrating the variability of occupants’ behavioral responses under the same normative comparison eco-feedback program. These findings indicate the need for a shift in focus toward targeted and tailored feedback programs which treat occupants based on their characteristics. Moreover, they highlight the need for eco-feedback design, development, testing and implementation research that acknowledges and addresses differences in occupant responses to feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Introduced a new paradigm for energy-aware communities. • Presented a new a sociotechnical modeling approach based on utility theory. • Inferred attributes affecting the thermostat responses of each household during an eco-feedback intervention. • Quantified the impact of the eco-feedback on households' thermostat-adjustment behavior. Heating and cooling (HC) energy use is responsible for about 42% of the total annual energy consumption of the average household in the U.S and it is significantly affected by residents' energy-related behavior. In this paper, our goal is to realize a new paradigm for energy-aware communities that leverages smart eco-feedback devices and social games to engage residents in understanding and reducing their home HC energy use. Towards this goal, we present a new sociotechnical modeling approach based on utility theory to reveal causal effects in human decision-making and infer attributes affecting the thermostat adjustment behavior of each household during an eco-feedback intervention. Our approach 1) is based on a utility model that quantifies residents' preferences over indoor temperatures given decision attributes related to their thermal environment and eco-feedback design and 2) incorporates latent parameters that determine the unique behavioral characteristics of each household. For parameter learning, we develop a hierarchical Bayesian model with non-centered parameterization calibrated using field data collected from a multi-unit residential community located in Fort Wayne, IN. The dataset comprises two parts; a baseline period without any behavioral intervention, and an intervention period, where personalized eco-feedback and social games are deployed through resident engagement devices with smart thermostat control capabilities, including a wall-mounted tablet and smart speaker. Through the model calibration, we quantify the impact of the eco-feedback on households' thermostat-adjustment behaviors. We propose that the utility model developed in this work can serve as the foundation for analyzing resident behavior in connected residential communities with eco-feedback energy-saving programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence that occupants’ energy use holds a large fraction of the total energy consumed at the office. Our work, motivated by a relevant study investigating the effect of individual feedback on energy use at the workdesk, exploits earlier findings to design a six-month field trial that monitors occupants’ energy use and provides individual feedback to 18 office employees in a university setting. This paper presents the research design and methods used, employing data analysis to assess how office workers responded to the feedback provided, and to examine their impact on the energy consumption of their desktop computers. The main findings were: the behavior of occupants affected the energy consumption of their computers in a large extent; emails were considered better communication channels than posters and leaflets; a combination of feedback messages was more useful, with personal advice, self monitoring and education being the most powerful; finally and most importantly energy reduction and proper use of equipment continued for 13 weeks after the feedback was removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic, chaotic, intimate and social nature of family life presents many challenges when designing interactive systems in the household space. This paper presents findings from a whole-of-family approach to studying the use of an energy awareness and management system called 'Ecosphere'. Using a novel methodology of inviting 12 families to create their own self-authored videos documenting their energy use, we report on the family dynamics and nuances of family life that shape and affect this use. Our findings suggest that the momentum of existing family dynamics in many cases obstructs behaviour change and renders some family members unaware of energy consumption despite the presence of an energy monitor display in the house. The implication for eco-feedback design is that it needs to recognise and respond to the kinds of family relations into which the system is embedded. In response, we suggest alternative ways of sharing energy-related information among families and incentivising engagement among teenagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a first-time cloud-based eco-feedback and gaming platform that aims to promote energy conserving thermostat-adjustment behaviors in multi-unit residential buildings. To achieve this goal, we introduce a new modeling approach for personalized eco-feedback design integrated with a collaborative social game to assist residents enhance their thermostat use while promoting community-level energy savings. Our modeling framework is integrated into a cloud-based application, MySmartE, with visual (wall-mounted tablet) and voice (Alexa) user interfaces to facilitate behavioral changes in a user-centric approach. The platform is deployed in a multi-unit residential community in Fort Wayne, IN, and data from the field study are used to investigate: (i) how occupants' thermostat behaviors changed after using the MySmartE app; (ii) how users interacted with the app during the game; and (iii) how was users' experience with the developed platform. Despite the heterogeneous characteristics of households, the results from the field study showed the positive effect of the intervention in the thermostat-adjustment behaviors, which resulted in an increase in the indoor temperature during the cooling season compared to the baseline. Findings from the user interaction analysis and post-experiment interviews also revealed the significant potential to nudge households' energy conservation behaviors with the developed platform along with the challenges that should be tackled to derive long-term behavior changes. • Presented a smart eco-feedback and gaming platform that aims to promote energy conserving thermostat-adjustment behaviors. • Introduced a new modeling approach for personalized eco-feedback design integrated with a collaborative social game. • Developed visual and voice user interfaces to facilitate behavioral changes in a user-centric approach. • Deployed the developed platform in a multi-unit residential community. • Conducted a field study to evaluate the effect of the platform on occupant behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports research that aimed to identify meta-requisites for the eco-feedback design in washing machines aimed at the social housing. The assumption is that by applying this design strategy in the washer interface it would initiate a process of behavioral change. The research method consisted of Action Research substantiated by RITE Method (Medlock et al., 2002), which allowed a cyclic process of developing and evaluating eco-feedback for automatic washers, involving users, researchers and manufacturer. In this article is reported only the last stage of Action, which discusses an interaction evaluation. The results of the survey results meta-requisites list for the eco-feedback design for washing machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial buildings account for a significant portion of energy consumption and associated carbon emissions around the world. Consequently, many countries are instituting building energy efficiency policies to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of building operations. As building owners and operators act to address the challenge of increasing energy efficiency, occupant behavior modification programs are growing increasingly popular. Recent advances in energy monitoring and control technologies have enabled the development of eco-feedback systems that collect, process, and relay high resolution, real-time energy consumption information to help building occupants control their energy-use. These systems have extended research into the effects of high resolution eco-feedback on building occupant behavior and energy efficiency from residential to commercial building settings. However, little is understood about how organizational network dynamics impact user-engagement levels with such systems and how these network connections may impact the energy conservation behavior of individuals inside commercial buildings. In this paper, results are presented from a novel 9-week eco-feedback system study which demonstrates that organizational network dynamics can significantly impact energy conservation among commercial building occupants. Furthermore, it is shown that exposure to eco-feedback impacts building occupant energy conservation differently in commercial office buildings than it does in residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass consumption of energy is a big problem. Energy-saving activities which are a solution to this problem have been attracting a lot of attention. Nevertheless, in order to engage in thorough energy-saving activities, consumers need support; on the other hand, even with support, the effects seem to be only temporary. In this paper, to obtain a long-term effect, we focus on developing a method to raise consumers' awareness about energy-saving behavior. To this end, we designed an interface which offers consumers the cue to think about energy-saving activities and conducted a 2weekexperiment using the interface with 10 participants. The results suggest two things. First, offering cues increases the number of the energy-saving activities. Second, the more times they perform an activity, the less likely it is that they will change their way of thinking about the activity as time passes. We discuss a more effective method of helping consumers create energy-saving strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic simulation is used in new buildings and renovations with the purpose to predict their thermal-energy performance, typically assuming a standard use of the buildings. Even if the role of occupants’ behavior is widely acknowledged to be a key factor influencing energy consumption in buildings, these predictive models are not used to quantify specific benefits deriving from precise occupants’ actions. In this work, a numerical–experimental campaign is carried out in a village of green buildings in central Italy, where the most innovative and efficient technologies are already implemented and, therefore, where further physical active or passive retrofits would not be cost-effective. This work demonstrates that, through a sophisticated theoretical–experimental modeling of a residential village, a substantial further energy saving is still to be achieved through zero-cost simple actions, i.e. human-based energy retrofits . Ordinary actions of energy waste reduction are described within the physical model with the final purpose to quantify the effect of occupancy operations considered at the same level of traditional physical retrofit scenarios. The combination of these human-based energy retrofits produces an annual personal primary energy saving of 239 kW h/person in the village, and a corresponding annual money saving of 84 €/person. This work shows that, when theoretical dynamic simulation models are performed in order to investigate buildings’ thermal-energy behavior and predict the cost-benefit efficacy of common physical energy retrofits, simple and effective human-based energy retrofits should be considered at the same level of physical retrofits, and even before them, for their intrinsic technical and economical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While interest in eco-feedback technologies has peaked over the last decade, research increasingly highlights that simply providing information to individuals regarding their consumption behaviors does not guarantee behavior change. This has lead to an increasing body of work that attempts to characterize individuals’ latent motivations that drive sustainable behaviors. With this paper we aim at expanding this body of work by analyzing such motivations in the context of families. We report findings from interviews with 15 families who used an eco-feedback interface over a period of 2 years. Our study reveals that motivations for sustainable behavior were not only rooted in individuals’ environmental concerns and need for expense management but they also regarded: (i) individuals’ and families’ need for a sense of control and security , (ii) parents’ self-perceived responsibility of their role as parents and (iii) the perception of individual as well as family identity . We argue that in order for eco-feedback technologies to attain long-lasting behavioral changes in the domestic environment they need to address basic family needs that go beyond individual ideals of pro-environmental behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand for water is increasing with buildings accounting for the large majority of increased water consumption. As such, the development of methods to effectively promote water conservation in buildings has become an important focal area for research. Specifically, providing feedback of resource consumption to residential building occupants has been demonstrated to be effective in promoting conservation. Although water and energy are inextricably connected, there is a lack of research that investigates the bridge between water and energy in the representation of feedback to promote water conservation. In this paper, we investigate the impact of two different representations of water consumption eco-feedback on water conservation (i.e., gallons and associated estimated embodied energy). We collected consumption data in 18 residential dormitories, involving nearly 4700 occupants over a period of approximately six weeks. We found that representing water consumption simultaneously in terms of gallons and associated embodied energy led to a statistically significant reduction in water consumption, while representing water consumption only in terms of gallons did not. This has significant implications for the growing body of research at the nexus between water and energy consumption and can inform future eco-feedback system designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way users interact with systems requiring energy largely conditions their global environmental impact. Informing of the environmental consequences of usage of products/systems can generate increased awareness of its connection to environmental impacts, encouraging a change in user behaviour and resulting in products' global environmental impact. Various levels of product modification have been proposed, from simple information, through behaviour steering and persuasive technology. We focus on eco-feedback and distinguish three different modalities: neutral, positive and negative. Based on the conclusions of an experiment observing the consumption of paper towels, this article demonstrates: (1) An individual's general level of information about the environment has an influence on the effectiveness of the eco-feedback modality. (2) The effectiveness of a modality of eco-feedback diminishes over time. The potential of iterative user feedback combined with intelligent sensor embedded systems led to our defining the Green Use Learning Cycle as an innovative concept for eco-design. It underlines that products should be designed so that they can give feedback to users about the environmental performances of their usage (user adapts to product), and can analyse the dominant parameters of usage to be configured automatically to the environmental optimum throughout the life cycle (product adapts to user). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While adopting eco-feedback systems can lead to significant energy savings, in the region of 5–20%, research has shown that the inappropriate use of visualisation patterns and techniques decreases their effectiveness. However, existing reviews on energy feedback visualisation provide little guidance on when to use them and how to enhance their effectiveness in various scenarios. The uncertainty and lack of clarity surrounding eco-feedback visualisation techniques and their impact on end-userengagement present challenges to the design of eco-feedback systems. This paper presents the first systematic review of a wide range of energy eco-feedback visualisation techniques, including, for the first time, Augmented-Reality (AR) and thermal imaging visualisation. We analysed 82 relevant studies published between 2000 and 2021 using the PRISMA protocol for systematic reviews. The visualisation techniques have been reported under five distinct categories, which we have identified: (a) statistical visualisation , (b) architectural and geospatial visualisation , (c) game-based visualisation , (d) artistic visualisation , (e) emerging visualisation. Furthermore, they have been analysed based on the following criteria: type of visualised information, the purpose of use, end-user perception, scholar suggestions, and potential impact. The findings show that statistical visualisation techniques are essential in any energy eco-feedback system. Furthermore, they suggested combining different visualisation techniques to accommodate different user profiles, but such combinations must be carefully planned based on usage scenarios. Following this analysis, a series of considerations and good practice guidelines are presented for each of the reviewed techniques to assist practitioners in this area (e.g., designers and researchers) while providing recommendations for future work. • The inappropriate use of visualisations in eco-feedback systems decrease their effectiveness. • Little guidance on when to use different visualisations and how to enhance their effectiveness. • This article reviews various energy eco-feedback visualisation techniques and provides good practice recommendations. • Statistical visualisation techniques are essential in any energy eco-feedback system. • Visualisation techniques should be combined but such combinations must be carefully studied based on usage scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-feedback has been considered as a promising approach to facilitating residential energy-saving behavior recently. However, the mechanism that how personality traits affect effectiveness of eco-feedback with different information delivery method is still unknown. To fill the knowledge gap, an energy conservation field experiment was conducted in residential communities in Hangzhou, China. Three information delivery methods, including stickers, WeChat, and face-to-face consultation, and two intervention contents including eco-feedback and energy-saving tips, were adopted to intervene subject residents separately. The findings suggest that the treatment effect was primarily determined by personality traits, demographics and situational factors. In addition, stickers exert a positive intervention effect during the treatment period, while WeChat and consultation do not reduce energy consumption until late stage of the experiment. In terms of personality traits, the treatment effects of stickers and consultations are more effective than WeChat for open-minded people. Neurotic residents tend to conserve more energy when they only receive energy-saving tips regardless of the information delivery method. Consequently, providing residents with customized eco-feedback according to personality traits can better improve the treatment effect. The policy implications of this research could provide insights into energy demand-side management and promote energy-saving interventions in residential sector. • Crucial factors influencing effectiveness of eco-feedback are determined. • Mechanism between personality traits and applicability of interventions is examined. • Time-dependent variation of multiple interventions is evaluated. • WeChat brings a significant drop on energy-saving effect of open-minded individuals. • Extroverted and unneurotic individuals achieve desirable intervention effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We examined the question—can social influence drive energy savings? [•] Empirical data was collected of users exposed to normative eco-feedback. [•] Two methods are proposed to detect social influence in energy consumption data. [•] Both methods reveal that social influence impacts energy consumption behavior. [•] Results enable future research avenues regarding social dynamics and energy usage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We examine the impact information representation has on energy consumption. [•] Users were given feedback in kWh or the environmental externality CO2 emissions. [•] Information representation is shown to have a significant impact on consumption. [•] Results revealed users provided CO2 emissions saved more than users provided kWh. [•] Conclusions enable future research in eco-feedback information representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent research has shown that providing building occupants with eco-feedback regarding their own energy consumption and the consumption of others in their peer network can lead to substantial energy savings. While empirical eco-feedback studies have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of energy consumption behavior and building occupant peer networks, such studies have faced challenges in examining consumption behavior in larger and more complex peer networks. Computer simulation and random network models offer a solution to this scalability issue, but current random network models are limited in their ability to mimic real world building occupant networks. In this paper, we propose a refined random network model, the Block Configuration Model, and utilize it in an agent-based energy consumption simulation. Results indicate that the Block Configuration Model is more accurate than conventional models when compared to empirical data from three different eco-feedback experiments. The Block Configuration Model advances our understanding of the dynamics of occupant energy consumption and provides a tool to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In response to growing concerns over climate change and rising energy costs, a number of eco-feedback systems are being tested by researchers. Yet, the interface design aspect of these systems has largely been ignored. Therefore, the role that interface design plays at the component level in driving actual energy savings from users is unclear. In this paper, we evaluate the impact interface design has on eco-feedback performance by investigating five established design components. We conducted a six week empirical study with 43 participants using a prototype eco-feedback interface. Analysis of usage data affirmed a statistically significant inverse correlation between user engagement (measured as logins) and energy consumption. Utilizing this relationship as a basis for performance, we expanded our analysis to evaluate the five design components. The study revealed statistically significant evidence corroborating that historical comparison and incentives are design components that drive higher engagement and thus reductions in energy consumption. Results for the normative comparison and disaggregation components were inconclusive, while results for the rewards and penalization component suggest that a revision to the penalization aspect of the component may be necessary. This study raises pertinent questions regarding the efficacy of various eco-feedback components in eliciting energy savings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Traditional eco-design has a strong focus on the supply side. Even when focusing on the use phase of products, it still impacts directly under the control of the manufacturer dominate. However, the way users interact with a product may strongly influence the environmental impact of a product. Designers can try to influence this behaviour through the products they design. Several strategies have been proposed in the literature, such as eco-feedback and scripting. Existing literature in this field has its limitations. Publications either focus on a single strategy, or do not take a design perspective, or lack empirical data. This paper will present a typology of the different strategies available to designers. This typology will be illustrated with examples and experiments related to two sustainability problems, namely littering behaviour and energy using products. Furthermore, a methodology will be presented for applying these strategies. This will be demonstrated in a case study on an energy meter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical water scarcity is a growing threat to people's lives around the world. Non-pecuniary interventions that encourage water conservation amongst households are an effective tool to promote sustainable consumption. In a randomised field experiment on 3461 UK households, a social norms based eco-feedback intervention was found to reduce water consumption by around 5.43 L a day or by 1.8% over 29 months. This effect did not persist for the 10 months after the intervention was stopped suggesting a lack of habit formation. Unlike previous studies, households with low consumption at baseline reduced their consumption the most, while high consumers did not. Heterogeneity was also found across quantile treatment effects, where households in the top and bottom quantiles increased their consumption. These results further contribute to the growing evidence on the effectiveness of combining social norms and eco-feedback as an intervention for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While past research has shown that providing residents with feedback about their electricity usage can reduce demand and its associated environmental burdens, some questions remain regarding what makes such feedback most effective. We followed the electricity usage of 36 residents who each received 14 feedback messages over 2 months. Using approaches borrowed from Natural-Language-Processing, feedbacks were generated automatically, using 10 features in random combinations. Unlike in previous studies, each resident received varying types of messages over time. In 504 observations, the average prompted reduction in electricity usage was 11 ± 3%, compared to a control group of 89 residents who received no messages. Feedback types prompting the largest reductions were self-comparisons with one's own earlier usage (average reduction 14%) and messages of high variety from one feedback-cycle to the next (average reduction 16%). Comparisons with neighbors did not prompt higher reductions on average. Instead, they prompted reductions only when a resident's recent usage happened to be higher than the average usage of neighbors, and increases when the reverse was true. This behavior was exhibited by all residents and is likely explained by a norm-conforming mean reversion of residents to their neighbors' average usage, rather than an anti-conform "boomerang" behavior previously suggested in similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting household energy-saving behaviors requires devising effective messages and selecting appropriate message delivery methods. Meanwhile, the specific psychological factors that shape the effectiveness of interventions remains elusive. Based on an energy conservation intervention program carried out in communities in the city of Hangzhou, China in 2016, this paper investigates the impact of eco-feedback and energy-saving tips delivered to households via an instant messaging platform (i.e., WeChat), stickers combined with leaflets, and face-to-face consultations in promoting energy conservation. Psychological attributes including personal values and aspects of decision-making that affect pro-environmental behavior, as well as social and housing demographics were collected and analyzed to identify relationships between household characteristics and the effectiveness of an intervention. The findings suggest that, coupled with eco-feedback, stickers and leaflets (mean rank 37.54) performed better than other alternatives (mean rank 55.34 for WeChat group, 57.08 for consultation group) in encouraging household energy-saving behaviors. The effectiveness of eco-feedback using an instant messaging platform was revealed to be short-lived. Moreover, the study found that psychological features such as the perception of sufficient non-material incentives and opportunity to perform energy conservation behavior, as well as valuing environmental quality, personal health, and leisure time, are significantly correlated with energy savings. The findings not only contribute to future policymaking in demand-side energy conservation, but also provide insights for the cultivation of long-term behavioral changes at the neighborhood level through the effective design of communications and engagement. Image 1 • Compared the effectiveness of three types of delivering methods. • Sticker with eco-feedback is more effective in saving energy than other methods. • Effectiveness of delivering feedback using an instant message is short-lived. • Household psychological and social attributes are correlated with energy saving. • Households valuing environmental quality and health are likely to save energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]