Lessons on visual feedback from the eViz Project: The evidence for using thermal images as a visual intervention

Abstract

Thermal images can play an important role in feeding back the consequence or outcome from energy use behaviour and through providing a platform to motivate energy efficient home improvements. This article describes four studies conducted through the eViz project, which used a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, to investigate the impact that thermal images can have on householder retrofit behaviour. Results from thermal image investigations were benchmarked against carbon footprint audit and control cases, and ranged from simple generic letters on energy efficiency to more tailored in-depth thermal image reporting. Findings have suggested that thermal images do provide motivation for householders to undertake energy efficient improvements on their house. The extent to which thermal images promote a behavioural effect is likely to depend on the personal nature of the images’ subject, and the degree to which the viewer can elaborate on the images.. Moving onto the next steps, this article reports on an on-going project to scale up this work to a citywide context in Canada.