E-Mailed Prompts and Feedback Messages to Reduce Energy Consumption: Testing Mechanisms for Behavior Change by Employees at a Green University

ABSTRACT

E-mail is a common mechanism for communication within organizations. Extending prior research on effects of informational messages on behavior change, the present study evaluated effects of e-mailed prompts and feedback on energy consumption at a green university. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline design was used to evaluate the effects of messages to occupants of 5 campus buildings over a period of 12 weeks. Energy consumption changes were tracked using the university’s energy dashboard. Results and implications for further research and organizational behavior change efforts are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Behavior change
• electricity consumption
• e-mailed prompts
• feedback