Abstract
Householders play a role in energy conservation through the decisions they make about purchases and installations such as insulation, and through their habitual behavior. The present U.K. study investigated the effect of thermal imaging technology on energy conservation, by measuring the behavioral effect after householders viewed images of heat escaping from or cold air entering their homes. In Study 1 (n = 43), householders who received a thermal image reduced their energy use at a 1-year follow-up, whereas householders who received a carbon footprint audit and a non-intervention control demonstrated no change. In Study 2 (n = 87), householders were nearly 5 times more likely to install draught proofing measures after seeing a thermal image. The effect was especially pronounced for actions that addressed an issue visible in the images. Findings indicate that using thermal imaging to make heat loss visible can promote energy conservation.
DOI
10.1177/0013916514546218
Publication Date
2015-12-01
Publication Title
Environment and Behavior
Volume
47
Issue
10
First Page
1059
Last Page
1088
ISSN
0013-9165
Organisational Unit
School of Psychology
Recommended Citation
Goodhew, J., Pahl, S., Auburn, T., & Goodhew, S. (2015) 'Making Heat Visible', Environment and Behavior, 47(10), pp. 1059-1088. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916514546218
