Household energy consumption and behavioural change - the UK perspective

Residential energy consumption is responsible for 27% of the UK’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. As energy consumers, people do not simply consume gas or electricity in their homes, but rather the services that energy provides. There has been a significant increase in energy consumption per household, related to the increase in household numbers and changes in lifestyles. High emissions from the UK residential sector are partly a consequence of old, inefficient building stock. However, households’ energy behaviours form another and in many respects a more challenging problem. Previous research on household energy consumption suggests that feedback on energy use has the greatest potential to influence households’ energy behaviours. Once people receive feedback on their consumption, they may be more likely to change their attitudes and behaviour. A limited number of feedback studies have been conducted in the UK. However, the UK Government has recently announced trials which pilot smart meter and display technologies as a way of providing feedback and thus potentially influencing UK households’ energy consumption. This paper looks at the experience of previous research and how this can provide insights to the UK Government’s smart metering programme, as well as suggestions for further research in this area.