Buildings: Residential and Commercial

Behavioral Science to Encourage Energy Savings in Buildings

buildings

Unlocking Buildings' Energy-Saving Potential 

Many behaviors can be changed in buildings to reduce energy consumption. These can range from repeated, minor actions, like washing laundry in cold water, to larger one-time behaviors, like investing in energy upgrades. Residential building owners, single or multifamily, can do each. Renters can encourage their landlords to take advantage of energy upgrade rebates and tax credits (or do it themselves!). Residents and building operators can be trained to spot and act on energy efficiency opportunities. A campaign can be created to get workers to save energy at their places of business. Whether it’s changing messages or changing systems, BEAR Hub can provide the support you need. 

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Case Study from Buildings

This case study demonstrated BEAR Hub's five-step approach for applying behavioral science.

buildings

Increasing Residential Home Energy Upgrades 

Installing home energy upgrades is the most impactful energy-saving behavior homeowners can do in their existing homes. BEAR Hub advisors partnered with utilities and energy organizations to redesign energy assessment reports and encourage homeowners to follow through with energy-saving upgrades... 

STEP 1: IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR TO CHANGE

Our partners' broad behavioral goal was to encourage more homeowners to follow through with upgrades. Instead of trying to convince all homeowners to consider energy upgrades, the project focused on those already contemplating them—homeowners who had received an energy assessment.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY BARRIERS & BENEFITS FOR THE TARGET AUDIENCE

Homeowners often receive assessment reports that are difficult to understand, overwhelming, or lack clear calls to action. Barriers likely included unclear recommendations, overwhelming report formats, and lack of motivation to act.

STEP 3: BRAINSTORM, PRIORITIZE & SELECT BEHAVIOR CHANGE STRATEGIES

Rather than broad homeowner awareness efforts, the team focused on redesigning reports as a low-cost, low-effort intervention to reduce information overload and enhance follow-through on requesting home energy upgrades.

STEP 4: IMPLEMENT THE BEHAVIOR CHANGE STRATEGIES

The team evaluated and redesigned the reports provided by energy assessors, identifying areas where behavioral science and marketing strategies could improve effectiveness.

STEP 5: EVALUATE THE PROGRAM TO ITERATE AND IMPROVE

We tested the best reports in an online eye-tracking study, and utilities and program implementers adopted the design recommendations included in the best-performing example reports. These reports now help encourage homeowners who received home energy assessments to follow through with recommendations.

More details about this behavior-change strategy can be found here.

Partner with us

We’re here to help you apply behavioral science to your energy programs and challenges.   

Consider applying for our no-cost ongoing technical assistance program, where you can receive 4-6 months of: 

  • behavioral insights to enhance your programs
  • implementation support
  • collaboration on innovative solutions and pilot projects