Exploring the use of a game to stimulate energy saving in households

TLDR

Long‑term effects of the Energy Battle game are possible but require further study. The study investigates whether the Energy Battle game can encourage home occupants to save energy. The study involved twenty student‑households using an online platform that provided real‑time energy feedback, team rankings, tips, and game elements. The Energy Battle game significantly motivated participants, yielding an average 24% energy savings (up to 45%) and fostering habit formation, though consumption rose immediately after the game yet remained below baseline levels.

Abstract

This paper presents a study called the Energy Battle, a game aimed at encouraging home occupants to save energy. Twenty student-households were provided with direct feedback and an online platform with energy feedback over time, ranking of the competing teams, tips and a game. The study showed that the game context strongly influenced the motivation to save energy. Overall, savings averaged 24%, with the highest savings level at 45%. Directly after completion of the Energy Battle, energy consumption increased among most of the households, although consumption levels tended to stay below the baseline measurement level taken before the Energy Battle. Follow-up interviews indicated that some of the behaviours developed in the game had transformed into habits. A game such as the Energy Battle appears to provide a powerful means to stimulate energy saving in the short term. The potential to achieve long term effects appears possible, however further research is required to understand long-term implications for an Energy Battle game.