Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
10
Issue
3
Date
1/1/1980

Article Facts

Title
The Effect of Feedback and Social Reinforcement on Residential Electricity Consumption
DOI
10.2190/M8W4-JUYV-NB03-CUFL
Authors
  • Richard Katzev
  • Laura Cooper
  • Pat Fisher
Pages
215-227
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

The Effect of Feedback and Social Reinforcement on Residential Electricity Consumption

Richard Katzev
Laura Cooper
Pat Fisher

DOI: 10.2190/M8W4-JUYV-NB03-CUFL

Abstract

This experiment explored the effect of informational feedback in reducing electrical energy consumption with eleven matched quads of all-electric apartments in Portland, Oregon. Feedback about KWH usage was provided from electrical meter readings during baseline, treatment and follow-up phases during the summer of 1977. Following a two week baseline period, apartments were exposed to one of the following conditions: (1) No treatment Control; (2) Daily Contingent Feedback, where informational feedback about KWH usage was provided on a daily basis; (3) Three Day Contingent Feedback Plus Decal, where feedback was provided every third day and commendation in the form of a decal was presented for reduced consumption; (4) Three Day Noncontingent Feedback Plus Decal, where feedback plus commendation were provided every third day, regardless of whether or not electricity consumption had decreased. Each of these feedback conditions had very little impact on electrical energy consumption during the two week treatment or the two week follow-up periods. These findings were viewed as consistent with other research which has also documented the limited impact of feedback on energy consumption. An analysis of the boundary conditions for the effectiveness of informational feedback stimuli was presented.

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