Do customer information programs influence energy consumption?

In this project we will study the effects of customer information programs on household energy consumption. The project includes three work packages. In WP1 we analyze which factors are important to explain residential energy use, and the barriers that h inder changes towards more sustainable energy consumption. We create a conceptual framework for integrating established economic theory, social psychology theory and sociology/anthropological knowledge on factors that condition people's energy behaviour. We also conduct a survey on energy behaviour and barriers to saving energy, and analyze the results with the conceptual framework for barriers as a basis. In WP2 we provide knowledge on how customer information programs could be designed to have a strong er effect on energy consumption. We conduct three field studies. In the the first study we test the effects on electricity consumption and choice of energy product of disseminating the information required through EU's Electricity Directive. In the second field study we examine if changes in the design of customer information programs may reduce residential energy consumption. Finally in the third study we analyze perceptions, attitudes and willingness to reduce energy consumption with the use of qualitat ive interviews and focus group studies. In WP3 the implications for policies aimed at influencing energy consumption is analyzed based on the results from our studies and other relevant projects in this area. We will conduct comparative studies between Norway and France. We plan to publish six papers from the project in international peer reviewed journals, and we will also seek to disseminate results to users both through media and by arranging a concluding seminar