Individual energy use and feedback in an office setting: A field trial

Murtagh, N., Nati, M., Headley, W. R., Gatersleben, B., Gluhak, A., Imran, M. A. and Uzzell, D. (2013) Individual energy use and feedback in an office setting: A field trial. Energy Policy, 62, 717- 728. (doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.07.090)

[img]
Preview
Text
136280.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

663kB

Abstract

Despite national plans to deploy smart meters in small and medium businesses in the UK, there is little knowledge of occupant energy use in offices. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of individual feedback on energy use at the workdesk, and to test the relationship between individual determinants, energy use and energy reduction. A field trial is presented, which monitored occupant energy use and provided individual feedback to 83 office workers in a university. The trial comprised pre- and post-intervention surveys, energy measurement and provision of feedback for 18 weeks post-baseline, and two participant focus groups. The main findings were: statistically significant energy reduction was found, but not for the entire measurement period; engagement with feedback diminished over time; no measured individual variables were related to energy reduction and only attitudes to energy conservation were related to energy use; an absence of motivation to undertake energy reduction actions was in evidence. The implications for energy use in offices are considered, including the need for motivations beyond energy reduction to be harnessed to realise the clear potential for reduced energy use at workdesks.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The research was funded by the Digital Economy Programme of the Research Councils UK (a cross-council initiative led by EPSRC and contributed to by AHRC, ESRC and MRC) under the REDUCE project grant (no: EP/I000232/1).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Imran, Professor Muhammad
Authors: Murtagh, N., Nati, M., Headley, W. R., Gatersleben, B., Gluhak, A., Imran, M. A., and Uzzell, D.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
Journal Name:Energy Policy
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0301-4215
ISSN (Online):1873-6777
Published Online:22 August 2013
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 The Authors
First Published:First published in Energy Policy 62: 717-728
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record