Goal Setting and Feedback: The Programmable Thermostat as a Device to Support Conservation Behavior in the User

Abstract

Programming clock thermostat settings involves no financial cost to the consumer and requires little effort, making it a feasible target behavior for increasing energy efficiency through automatic control of temperature setbacks according to time of day and activities of the residents. Goal setting theory was used as a framework to experimentally test the energy saving effects of goal and information specificity on planning a programming strategy and the resulting consumer performance in terms of projected savings. Specific goals were found to significantly increase planning time when specific conservation information was given and significantly decrease planning time when only a vague, “do your best” goal was given. Increased planning time did not predict performance, however, users who had never owned a clock thermostat had significantly higher projected savings in comparison with subjects currently using such a thermostat. Results are discussed in terms of implications for energy conservation programs to change thermostat behavior.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Darley

J. M.

(1977/78). Energy conservation techniques as innovations, and their diffusion. Energy and Buildings, 1, 339–343.

Dzindolet

M. T.

Peterson

S. A.

Pomranky

R. A.

Pierce

L. G.

Beck

H. P.

(2003). The role of trust in automation reliance. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 58, 697–718.

Earley

P. C.

Wojnaroski

Prest

, (1987). Task planning and energy expended: Exploration of how goals influence performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 72, 1, 107–114.

Locke

E. A.

Shaw

K. N.

Saari

L. M.

Latham

G. P.

(1981). Goal setting and task performance: 1969–1980. Psychological Bulletin, 90, 125–152.

McCalley

L. T.

(2000). Product-integrated eco-feedback II (Tech. Rep. Novem BV). Eindhoven, Netherlands: Technical University Eindhoven, Department of Human-Systems Interaction, Faculty of Technology Management.

McCalley

L. T.

Midden

C. J. H.

(2002). Energy conservation through product-integrated feedback: The roles of goal-setting and social orientation. Journal of Economic Psychology, 23, 5, 589–604.

Turner

C. S.

Gruber

K. J.

(1990). Residential thermostat management practices: An investigation of setback behavior. In Proceedings of the ACEEE: Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Human Dimensions, Vol. 2, 2.151–2.160. Asilomar, CA: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

Weihl

J. S.

Gladhart

P. M.

(1990). Occupant behavior and successful energy conservation: Findings and implications of behavioral monitoring. In Proceedings of the ACEEE: Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Human Dimensions, Vol. 2, 2.171–2.180. Asilomar, CA: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.