Research
The psychology of saving electricity: How comparisons can curb consumption
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- A new study by consumer psychologist Dr. Yavor Paunov and colleagues examines whether comparing one's own electricity use with others changes consumption.
- The study reports that comparisons can encourage households to save electricity.
- The source is a short summary; further details of method and effect size are not available in the provided text.
Why it matters
It suggests that low-cost behavioural nudges based on social comparison may be a practical way to reduce household electricity use.
Who’s affected
- households and energy consumers
- energy policy makers and utilities
- #energy saving
- #behavioral psychology
- #social comparison
- #household electricity
- #consumer behavior
Simple psychological interventions are often enough to encourage people to change their behavior—and this is also true when it comes to saving electricity. A new study by Mannheim-based consumer psychologist Dr. Yavor Paunov and colleagues shows that comparing one's own…
Timeline
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The psychology of saving electricity: How comparisons can curb consumption
Science News article on the study published