Date of Award

12-2019

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Ron Van Houten

Second Advisor

Dr. Cynthia Pietras

Third Advisor

Dr. Heather McGee

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Jeffrey Spoelstra

Keywords

Energy dashboard, electricity reduction, dorm competition

Abstract

This report examined issues pertaining to the efficacy and cost effectiveness of energy dashboards in the effort to influence electricity-related behavior change on college campuses. Given the increasing popularity of energy dashboards along with a lack of data to support their effectiveness, more rigorous research to evaluate the efficacy of this technology is necessary. An intervention including the installation of physical and internet based energy dashboards along with an energy reduction competition was evaluated. A literature review and long term cyclical data on energy use is included that provides arguments against the potential for long-term effectiveness of these interventions despite publications claiming the opposite. Results from this study support conclusions from the literature and are discussed along with a call for a critique of the methods typically used to evaluate similar interventions.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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