Promoting energy users' behavioural change in social housing through a serious game

Abstract

Housing represents about 29% of the total energy consumption in Europe and contributes with around 20% of emissions (European Commission 2013). Social housing represents about 12% of the total European housing stock and therefore is a significant target for energy efficiency measures by governments of EU member states. This paper is aimed at exploring how an innovative serious game could contribute to energy consumption and carbon emissions reduction in social housing by increasing the social tenants’ understanding and engagement in energy efficiency. The proposed solution is being developed under the auspices of the EnerGAware project (Energy Game for Awareness of energy efficiency in social housing communities), funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme.