Exploring the Impact of Real-Time Energy Consumption Monitoring on Behaviour and Technology Adoption in Swiss Households

Topic
This master dissertation explores the impact of real-time monitoring on energy consumption within Swiss households. It examines how this system alter households behaviour, to encourage adoption to new habits and tackle their disengagement with strategies.

Relevance
Understanding the adoption and impact of real-time monitoring consumption is vital for establishing best energy practices and personal goals. This whitepaper provides insights that can help practitioners improve user engagement and sustained adoption and contribute to broader economical and  further innovative solutions.

Results
The study reveals that real-time monitoring systems can significantly influence households energy consumption behaviours by presenting the usefulness of the technology in creating energy-efficient habits, and obtaining tangible insights that create impactful actions. Nonetheless, maintaining engagement necessitates ongoing innovation and education for users.

Implications for Practitioners

• Develop user-friendly and intuitive interfaces to boost engagement.
• Foster a competitive spirit among households to boost their collective endeavors.
• Provide ongoing user education and support to maintain long-term interest.
• Offer personalized feedback and insights to encourage behavior change.
• Innovate continuously to keep users engaged and prevent usage decline.

Methods
The research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews with users of Aliunid’s real-time energy monitoring system. The interviews were analyzed using the Gioia method, which involves thematic coding and aggregation of insights to understand user behavior and system effectiveness. This approach provides a comprehensive view of user experiences and the factors influencing technology adoption and sustained use.