10.2190/B4DN-N9H8-A57Y-2JDG B4DNN9H8A57Y2JDG 5 The Effectiveness of An Energy Specialist and Extension Agents in Promoting Summer Energy Conservation by Home Visits 61 70 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 B4DNN9H8A57Y2JDG.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=B4DNN9H8A57Y2JDG 1 Richard A. Winett Susie Q. Love Charlotte Kidd Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia Cooperative Extension Service This summer project focused on lower-income consumers (N = 52 households) living in Section Eight, all-electric apartments that were dispersed around the city of Roanoke, Virginia. It extended prior work by attempting to develop and evaluate a simple way to promote energy savings for apartment dwellers. The effectiveness of extension agents and a trained energy specialist in delivering the interventions by home visits was compared. The results indicated that relative to prior baseline use and control groups, the technician and extension groups reduced electricity use by about 21 per cent; on warm days use was reduced by about 24 per cent, while on cooler days, electricity was reduced by about 9 per cent. The technician and extension groups performed about the same, although the technician group showed a somewhat more consistent and enduring response. J. D. Cone and S. C. Hayes, <i>Environmental Problems: Behavioral Solutions</i>, Brooks/Cole, Monterey, California, 1980. E. S. Geller, R. A. Winett, and E. B. Everett, <i>Preserving the Environment: New Strategies for Behavior Change</i>, Pergamon Press, Elmsford, New York, 1982. E. Hirst, R. Maier, and M. Patton, Evaluation of Telephone Energy Conservation Information Centers in Minnesota, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems, 10</i>, pp. 229-247, 1980-81. M. Olsen and C. Cluett, <i>Evaluation of the Seattle City Light Neighborhood Energy Conservation Program</i>, Battelle, Seattle, Washington, 1979. P. Ester and R. A. Winett, Towards More Effective Antecedent Interventions for Environmental Protection Programs, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems, 11</i>, pp. 201-222, 1981-1982. A. Bandura, <i>Social Learning Theory</i>, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1977. N. Maccoby and J. Alexander, Use of Media in Life Style Programs, P. O. Davidson and S. M. Davidson (eds.), <i>Behavior Medicine: Changing Health Life Styles</i>, Brunner/Mazel, Inc., New York, 1980. R. A. Winett, J. W. Hatcher, T. R. Fort, I. N. Leckliter, S. Q. Love, A. W. Riley, and J. F. Fishback, The Effects of Videotape Modeling and Daily Feedback on Residential Electricity Conservation, Home Temperature and Humidity, Perceived Comfort, and Clothing Worn: Winter and Summer, <i>Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis</i>, in press. U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, <i>Energy Efficient Residence: Research Results</i>, USHUD, Washington, D. C., 1980. B. Anderson and M. Wells, <i>Passive Solar Energy: The Homeowners Guide to Natural Heating and Cooling</i>, Brick House Publishing Co., Andover, Massachusetts, 1981. J. M. Darley and J. R. Beniger, Diffusion of Energy Conserving Innovations, <i>Journal of Social Issues, 37</i>, pp. 150-171, 1981. R. A. Winett, M. S. Neale, K. R. Williams, J. Yokley, and H. Kauder, The Effects of Feedback on Residential Electricity Consumption: Three Replications, <i>Journal of Environmental Systems</i>, 8, pp. 217-233, 1979. R. C. Winkler and R. A. Winett, Behavioral Interventions in Resource Management: A Systems Approach Based on Behavioral Economics, <i>American Psychologist, 37</i>, pp. 421-435, 1982. R. A. Winett, M. S. Neale, and H. C. Grier, The Effects of Self-Monitoring and Feedback on Residential Electricity Consumption: Winter, <i>Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 12</i>, pp. 173-184 (a), 1979. G. W. Fairweather, D. H. Sanders, and L. G. Tornatsky, <i>Creating Change in Mental Health Organizations</i>, Pergamon Press, Elmsford, New York, 1974.