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Energy savings by applying the commitment theory

Panel: Panel 2: Dynamics of Consumption

Authors:
Dominique Flahaut, Agence Régionale de l'Energie (ARENE)
Jean-Michel Graillat, Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie (ADEME)
Jean-Léon Beauvois, Nice University
Robert-Vincent Joule, Provence University

Abstract

ARENE, regional energy agency, was willing to work on the subject of energy saving behaviour. Taking account of a previous experiment led by 2 university professors in a hospital for ADEME, ARENE financed a research conducted among families in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The research presented is an inquiry of 72 families to evaluate the modification of their energy saving behaviour. The results show that these commitment processes change both attitudes and behaviour desirably. After the action, people found that energy savings are more important, more justified and easier than they imagined. Moreover, they committed themselves to further savings more "costly" (e.g.: using CFLs).

Saving energy this way is costly (because each family must be interviewed twice) and cannot be replicated easily, so our following goal is now to launch another experimental approach in towns.

The paper will conclude with a series of proposals to achieve energy savings through widespread behaviour changes.

Paper

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