Interface Design to Increase Consumers’ Engagement with Energy Usage

Abstract: Energy feedback systems have the potential to support households in utilizing their energy more efficiently and making sustainable decisions. However, the feedback must be carefully designed and delivered to resonate with the individual and change behavioral patterns. This thesis investigates the prerequisites needed to increase awareness and engagement of energy usage and presents a prototype of an energy feedback mobile application. The requirements were found through a qualitative study where eleven households of GodEl with varying characteristics participated in semi-structured interviews. The responses were analyzed through thematic analysis and contributed to a deeper understanding of an energy feedback system’s user needs and requirements. A prototype was created aiming to meet the needs and requirements found. Results suggest that households respond to feedback individually. However, the data presented in the system must be reliable, relatable, and assist the user in decision-making to accommodate the individual needs of each household. Evaluation through user testing reveals that the prototype would increase the users’ knowledge and awareness. However, the prototype’s effect on behavioral changes could not be confirmed without letting the users test the system over some time in a real-world context.