Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Providing households with consumption feedback can effectively reduce water and energy use. However, the efficacy may depend on the medium and frequency of the messages. In this longitudinal study spanning over two years, we report two experiments on household water use read via meter in the United Kingdom: one manipulating the frequency of feedback ( N = 13,047), and one comparing the medium (email vs. paper) of the feedback messages ( N = 18,896). Overall, the feedback interventions reduced water consumption by around 2%. There were no differences in delivering the treatment monthly vs. 3-monthly, and paper messages were effective, but emails were not. Almost all households reduced their consumption, although the effect was variable. These results inform psychological interventions and cost-effective messaging for water districts and perhaps other types of utilities.
Source: Global Environmental Psychology
DOI: 10.5964/gep.11705
Authors: Ukasha Ramli, Cameron Brick, Benjamin Abera
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4417275482