http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification 720 https://escholarship.org/uc/ciee_behavior/rss Recent eScholarship items from Behavior Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:43:37 +0000 https://escholarship.org/uc/item/89s3b4dg We conducted an experiment to explore how teenagers can become energy conservation stewards at home. In this experiment, called the Dial Down Challenge, we equipped adolescents with knowledge about electricity and water conservation behavior during a six-week online program with guided activities to be completed at home. We tested whether teenagers could transfer this knowledge to other members of their household and induce attitudinal and behavioral change. We found that knowledge, awareness, and motivation for saving energy increased among both teenagers and their parents. We also found that participants’ perceptions of their agency increased across teenagers and parents. In terms of intergenerational exchange, we found that parents increased their reliance on the information provided by their children but reduced their perception of their children’s agency in changing energy conservation practices at home. In other words, participants... https://escholarship.org/uc/item/89s3b4dg Fri, 2 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Delmas, Magali https://escholarship.org/uc/item/63k9r489 The Oakland EcoBlock is a whole-systems urban sustainability project that aims to prototype a pathway to affordable urban decarbonization by means of block-scale retrofitting that can reduce more than 50% of home energy usage. Considering the behavioral dimension of the energy retrofit process is key to understanding how household decision-making can enhance the adoption and performance of building efficiency measures – particularly in the EcoBlock, where low-to-moderate income constraints may limit accessibility to energy efficient upgrades. This study uses two survey instruments to explore key drivers of energy efficient technology adoption and operational behavior amongst EcoBlock residents. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/63k9r489 Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000 Langevin, Jared Putra, Handi Chandra Zhang, Jingjing Peffer, Therese https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3xf5m51z Presentation for CIEE and the California Public Utilities Commission https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3xf5m51z Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Sullivan, Michael https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7rk6m93r This report reviews a representative selection of completed and ongoing energy reduction competitions and uses the lessons learned to provide best practice guidance on the design, implementation, and evaluation of future programs. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7rk6m93r Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Vine, Edward Jones, Christopher M. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7n40522n Why aren’t commercial office buildings more energy efficient? Several decades of energy efficiency programs have resulted in some gains, but overall increases in the energy efficiency of buildings have fallen far short of the 30 to 50 percent improvement that many efficiency advocates believe is possible (DOE 2000). The purpose of our research has been to consider this “why” question by empirically examining the dynamics of new commercial building markets. Our intent is not to provide prescriptive or programmatic answers, but rather to develop knowledge about the market sufficient to support strategic interventions in it. Traditionally, energy efficiency research and development (R&D) and demand-side-management (DSM) programs aimed to modify new buildings by encouraging the adoption of better technologies or improved design. Programs were based on a rather simple understanding of the market. Attention centered on building designers (architects and engineers) as key decision-makers... https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7n40522n Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Lutzenhiser, Loren Woolsey Biggart, Nicole Kunkle, Richard Beamish, Thomas D. Burr, Thomas https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0w59p1np This white paper examines the behavioral assumptions underlying utility sponsored energy efficiency programs offered to businesses in California. It describes how assumptions about business decision making (that are built into the design of these programs) can affect the ability of these programs to foster increased investment in energy efficient technology. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0w59p1np Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Sullivan, Michael J. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0231w1cx In the last two years, the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) managed nine white papers on behavior and energy that were funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In order to determine what should be done in the future in the area of behavior and energy, CIEE conducted a survey in the Fall of 2009 to assess the value of these papers, see how these papers have been used and are planning to be used, and determine what additional activities should be conducted in the area of behavior and energy (e.g., more white papers or other activities). Many of the respondents felt that the papers were beneficial and useful. The papers represented an extraordinary resource that could be accessed over time for guidance in designing, implementing, and evaluating policies and programs. The papers also reflected cutting edge research that highlighted big ideas, raised questions regarding existing energy policy and programs, and kept them informed on progress... https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0231w1cx Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Vine, Edward https://escholarship.org/uc/item/83x1d750 The combination of electrical end-use metering data and computer simulations in designing optimal demand side management (DSM) programs to reduce peak electrical demand from residential air conditioning systems. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/83x1d750 Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Treidler, Burke Modera, Mark P https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9779d0tj This paper argues that the establishment of a process designed to manage innovation must be developed in California to foster the creation of needed program improvements and develop new and more effective energy efficiency delivery programs. This paper discusses several key institutional problems that must be overcome to achieve significant progress. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9779d0tj Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Sullivan, Michael J https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7sg996s9 This white paper has the explicit intention to draw lessons learned from the past 30 years of energy efficiency program evaluation in order to facilitate improved program design and implementation going forward. The discussion in this white paper is developed based on interviews with 43 individuals who are either practitioners or users of process and market evaluation. In addition, we obtained references to published materials from our contacts and reviewed conference proceedings dating from 1992 to 2008, which resulted in a review of nearly 100 articles or reports documenting the results of, or commenting on, process and market evaluations. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7sg996s9 Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Peters, Jane S McRae, Marjorie R https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7h18g009 This white paper examines how policymakers, program administrators, and program implementers can be motivated to pursue behavioral change in a regulatory environment. For the purposes of this report, behavior change is defined rather broadly, encompassing both behaviors associated with the purchase and installation of energy efficiency technologies as well as behaviors, decisions, and actions that might be thought of as more independent of technology. These include energy use habits, lifestyle choices, and consumption patterns. The insights and lessons discussed in this paper are drawn from a wide variety of sources including interviews with representatives from the energy and utility communities, and program documentation for energy-related programs and projects. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7h18g009 Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Ehrhardt-Martinez, Karen Laitner, John A Keating, Kenneth M https://escholarship.org/uc/item/78h4380g The purpose of this paper is to describe the existing state of market segmentation among California’s electric utilities, with an emphasis on the investor-owned utilities (IOUs). In addition, how segmentation is applied in various other economic sectors is reviewed, in part to provide a framework to identify potential practices that could be effectively adopted in the utility industry. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/78h4380g Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Moss, Steven J https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6zc6270h This is a report on why commercial office buildings aren’t more energy efficient. Several decades of energy efficiency programs have resulted in some gains, but overall increases in the energy efficiency of buildings have fallen far short of the 30 to 50 percent improvement that many efficiency advocates believe is possible. The purpose of this study is to consider the “why” question by empirically examining the dynamics of new commercial building markets. To do so, the authors used multiple research techniques, including qualitative field observation and interview methods that allow for a more in-depth understanding of complicated market processes. Their research focused primarily on new office buildings and centered in four regional markets: Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland. The authors identify key dynamics of commercial office building markets, describe how change and innovation occurs in commercial development, discuss the implications for energy efficiency,... https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6zc6270h Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Lutzenhiser, Loren Woolsey Biggart, Nicole Kunkle, Richard Beamish, Thomas D Burr, Thomas https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5m081406 This white paper examines four topics addressing evaluation, measurement, and attribution of direct and indirect effects to energy efficiency and behavioral programs: Estimates of program savings (gross); Net savings derivation through free ridership / net to gross analyses; Indirect non-energy benefits / impacts (e.g., comfort, convenience, emissions, jobs); and, Persistence of savings. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5m081406 Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Skumatz, Lisa A Khawaja, M. Sami Colby, Jane https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5cx9g8t5 This white paper examines why a larger array of innovative institutions, behaviors, technologies, and servicesis needed – specifically in the context of what we call “the climate imperative.” We explore possible mechanisms that can encourage the more robust development of innovative programs and policies within the State of California, with special attention to the activities of the California Public Utilities Commission. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5cx9g8t5 Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 John A. Laitner, John A Ehrhardt-Martinez, Karen Knight, Chris P https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4kq8q8d6 This paper is one of a series of white papers commissioned by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to address topics in energy use and behavior. It considers the behavioral assumptions in energy efficiency potential studies, and options for modifying and supplementing these assumptions, using recent California energy efficiency potential studies as the main example. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4kq8q8d6 Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Moezzi, Mithra Iyer, Maithili Lutzenhiser, Loren Woods, James https://escholarship.org/uc/item/45w3k7bz This white paper explores the ways in which residential consumers are addressed by California utility-managed energy efficiency programs, and offers suggestions for improvements that might better support the state’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals. The report reviews the assumptions that underlie the state’s residential energy efficiency policies and programs. A key set of assumptions can be found in a physical-technical-economic model (PTEM) that has oriented energy efficiency program design for several decades. The authors examine a suite of programs currently in operation and identify four somewhat different approaches being taken to influenceconsumer behavior and choice. They are variants of the PTEM, but also diverge by adding somewhat more realistic elements. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/45w3k7bz Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Lutzenhiser, Loren https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0926w85z This report reviews a representative selection of completed and ongoing energy reduction competitions and uses the lessons learned to provide best practice guidance on the design, implementation, and evaluation of future programs. We address four key research questions: How effective have been competitions at changing behavior and reducing energy? How long do energy savings persist after the end of the competition? Under what circumstances are competitions more or less effective? What are common best practices for the design, implementation and evaluation of energy and resource conservation competitions? The primary target audiences for this report are electric and natural gas utilities seeking to broaden their portfolio of behavior-based interventions, as well as potential designers, implementers and evaluators of energy reduction competitions. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0926w85z Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Vine, Edward Jones, Christopher M