Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

11/20/03 / Page 1thomas.berker@hf.ntnu.no

Housetraining Energy Efficiency

From conjectures about user behaviour to an understanding of energy use in buildings

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

11/20/03 / Page 2thomas.berker@hf.ntnu.no

Outline

Conjectures about energy consumption

What is the utility of energy efficiency?

Who should control energy consuming devices?

Understanding energy consumption

The structured domain of everyday life

Conclusions

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

11/20/03 / Page 3thomas.berker@hf.ntnu.no

I. Conjectures about user behaviour

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

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Utility

Conjecture I: Users implement energy efficiency in order to save money

The rebound effect

But:

An extended concept of utility: Individuals and even firms may actually introduce energy efficiency in order to save energy («altruistic reasons», Wiser, Fowlie and Holt 2001)

“Irrationality”:Folk theories & Conspicuous energy efficiency

Not every human activity involves energy consumption (e.g.: “What is comfort/convenience?”)

Differentiation is needed, but what do we make out of that?

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

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Control

Conjecture II: User want to control energy consumption, however, an automatic management would be more efficient

Against user control

In large systems optimal input-output values are only achieved using an “interpersonal” perspective

In favour of user control

Advanced technology has to be shut down because of user complaints (Jagemar 2002)

Thus, a “balance” between control and automatic adjustment is desirable – but what does that mean?

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

11/20/03 / Page 6thomas.berker@hf.ntnu.no

II. Understanding Energy consumption

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

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Everyday life I

We do not use energy, but we

heat/cool

commute to work and back

travel to a conference

...

We prioritise actions/people/artefacts according to the meaning they have for us

Most of the time we do not think at all ;-)

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

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Everyday life II

The most important type of action: Stable routine

Structured by repeating patterns of space and time (e.g. home-work)

Exchanges: Moral and instrumental economies

Technologies are «domesticated»

Institutt for tverrfaglige kulturstudierNTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norge

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Energy consumption in everyday life

Study use of energy consuming devices instead of energy consumption!

Most of the devices consuming most energy provide infrastructure for everyday tasks and routines

Utility: Physical comfort & Mobility

Two roads to energy savings: changing everyday routines to do with comfort and mobility or leaving them untouched

Control: Active incorporation leads to invisible technology – domestication of automation