This document discusses energy consumption habits of several households. It finds that people want to conserve energy but lack knowledge on how to do so effectively. Households compare their energy usage to neighbors and make efforts to appear environmentally-friendly. Younger generations may be influenced more by friends than parents. The document recommends further engaging with users to understand how to increase energy conservation knowledge in fun and rewarding ways that leverage social behaviors and comparisons.

1. ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT HOME!
First report !

2. This is what I saw!

3. Ren & Cozetteʼs!

4. “I am not a home, I donʼt
cook, I donʼt need it” "
About the dishwasher machine"
"
“I pay the bill, so I donʼt
mind what Ren says. If I
need to I will set the
thermostat a few more
degrees” – she laughs"
"
They use light bulbs because Ren bought it. !
“They were cheap and I think she
wants to reduce the bill.” "

5. Renʼs family!

6. “We have to wash the
dishes 2 or 3 times per
week. They are always
dirty!!!!” "
About the dishwasher machine"
"
“We like watching movies
and eat together, I think that
is why the TV and cooking
is what make our bill
higher” – she laughs"
"
They can not live without the laptops on.
During the interview they were playing
scrabble online and they were in the same
room. "

7. Carolyn and Doug!

8. “We love Christmas lights,
and I think they don't use
a lot of electricity, so we
leave them on all day.” -
she laughs"
"
“We set the goal to change the
temperature in the thermostat by
November 1st and the same for
June 1st, but sometimes is so
difficult…”"
"
“Yeah, we use light bulbs "
but you know I donʼt like "
the color…”" They
agree
in
almost
everything
related
to
the
energy.
They
use
a
programmable
thermostat.
" On
from
6:oo
and
8:00
p.m.
Summer
is
68
and
in
Winter
is
78

9. Sarah & Tom!

10. They donʼt use the A.C. She
doesnʼt know but the house is
very cool, so they prefer using
fans or the portable heater
conditioner. "
"
“Sometimes the kids need
have one light on, so we
leave the one from the
living room on. Sometimes
we have to work, so we
have it on all night.”"
!
“What do you mean with power strip?
Oh yes, yes we have one I think.” "
"
“I know my neighborsʼ bill is higher
than ours.” "
She smiles.!

11. This is what I learned!

12. People do try to conserve energy but they donʼt know
much about it. "
They make the effort to look good in front of the others. "
" " "They compare to their neighbors and friends. "
" " ""
" " "Before, children imitate their parents, now
they are the one that teach them sometimes."
"
Younger people donʼt care, they want to have fun. "
When they are older they talk more about this topic."
"
The reasons to buy light bulbs "
are still very different for everyone."
" " " "They want to be green but donʼt know how "

13. This is what it means!

14. Busy people"
"
Need to know more. Knowledge. "
"
Social influences: Family and friends. "
"
Time, time and time."
"
They want to be admired, imitated and rewarded for
their efforts."
"
Children are teaching their parents"
"
Younger people imitate their parents, but they can
adopt habits from their friends and trough internet,
only in a fun way."
"

15. And this is what I can do!

16. Talk to more users and discover the ways to
approach them."
"
Research about what companies and other
organizations are doing to increase peopleʼs
knowledge about conservation of energy."
"
Possible concepts:"
- Reward?"
- Social behaviors that influence decision making?"
"
"
"