Skip to main content

Table 7 Summary of household changes in the level of energy management practices

From: Towards a smart and sustainable residential energy culture: assessing participant feedback from a long-term smart grid pilot project

Household Change in energy management practices Energy practices Rationale
1 Increased Off-peak use of appliances and overall conservation efforts Awareness through reminders and increased knowledge of TOU periods
2 Same Did not change Convenience and lack of knowledge
3 Same Small conservation actions where possible and thermostat control Did not know what to do
4 Increased Programmed thermostat, tried to reduce during on-peak times, adjusted thermostat by 2 °C, and thermostat control and optimization Increased awareness, access to tools to make changesBarrier: cannot afford the newest and most expensive appliances
5 Increased Spent more time being energy conscious, turned off lights, tracked and turned off appliances, and utilized timers on lights and appliances Access to consumption data
6 Increased Ran appliances off-peak, turned off lights, turned off devices not in use, and thermostat control Increased awareness
7 Same Ran major appliances off-peak, used timers on laundry machine, and thermostat control Already energy conscious and increased number of people in the home
8 Same Small actions that did not influence comfort and thermostat control Same actions and attitudes and already energy conscious
9 Increased Programmed the AC, purchased and used fans, changed daily behaviours related to energy, and used timers on smart appliances Technology available (programmable thermostat) and increased awareness
10 Same Unplugged items, replaced bulbs and appliances, shifted to off-peak periods, overall conservation actions, and thermostat control Same actions and attitudes and already energy conscious
11 Increased Responded to TOU periods (e.g., laundry on evenings and weekends) Project interactions
12 Increased Overall conservation and reduced consumption of high-consuming appliances and responded to TOU periods Increased awareness
13 Same Reduced consumption of high consuming devices, responded to TOU periods, and thermostat control Same actions and attitudes and already energy conscious
14 Same Turned off devices not in use, investigated circuit loads for reductions, responded to TOU periods, and thermostat control Comfort
15 Increased On-peak consumption and overall consumption reduction, used automation technology to help with day-to-day reductions, and thermostat control Visualization of information
Back to article page