Abstract
A recent topic in the energy industry is promoting behavioral change in the individual energy consumer. Interfaces provide people with more useful energy feedback. The goal is to prompt the motivation and ability to adopt less wasteful energy consumption behaviors. Skillful HCI design will include attention to informational preferences, and framing effects due to presentation choices. A questionnaire study explored this domain, and the results were used to guide the design of test interfaces. An online survey yielded results from 36 male and 49 female United States residents. Cost ($) was perceived as the most useful metric and kW as the least useful. Further, a test of framings effects showed a higher likelihood to change behavior to save 100 dollars per year than 2 per week (U=1248.5, p=0.001). Respondent preference was expressed for lower levels of automation, which was not attributable to distrust of automation to effectively control energy consumption. A 2x2x2 factorial design was used to compare goal-type (specific vs. open-ended), metric use ($ vs. kWh), and visualization (graphical vs. text-only) in prototype displays. Goal-type and metric use independently affect perceived utility of a feedback interface, and visualization affects perceived comfort sacrifice from changing consumption behaviors.
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