Data for: Why does real-time information reduce energy consumption?

Abstract of associated article: A number of studies have estimated how much energy conservation is achieved by providing households with real-time information on energy use via in-home displays. However, none of these studies tell us why real-time information changes energy-use behavior. We explore the causal mechanisms through which real-time information affects energy consumption by conducting a randomized-control trial with residential households. The experiment attempts to disentangle two competing mechanisms: (i) learning about the energy consumption of various activities, the “learning effect”, versus (ii) having a constant reminder of energy use, the “saliency effect”. We have two main results. First, we find a statistically significant treatment effect from receiving real-time information. Second, we find that learning plays a more prominent role than saliency in driving energy conservation. Our findings support the use of energy conservation programs that target consumer knowledge regarding the energy use of different devices and activities.

相关文章摘要：众多研究已估算通过向家庭提供实时能源使用信息，利用家中显示屏，能够实现多少能源节约。然而，这些研究并未向我们揭示实时信息如何改变能源使用行为的原因。我们通过一项针对居民家庭的随机对照试验，探究了实时信息影响能源消耗的因果机制。实验旨在区分两种相互竞争的机制：(i) 学习各种活动的能源消耗，即“学习效应”，以及(ii) 持续提醒能源使用，即“显著性效应”。我们得到了两个主要结果。首先，我们发现接受实时信息存在统计学上的显著治疗效应。其次，我们发现，在学习与显著性中，学习在推动能源节约方面发挥了更为显著的作用。我们的研究结果支持了针对消费者关于不同设备和活动能源使用知识的节能计划的使用。