Social and informational strategies for reducing electricity and natural gas consumption in multi-unit residential buildings

The proposed research will attempt to help residents reduce energy use in apartment buildings. The intern will provide residents with energy use feedback that shows their buildings energy use compared to a neighboring building. Buildings that reduce energy use will receive encouragement to continue conserving. The intern will work with two partnering utilities companies, FortisBC and BC Hydro. These partners will help provide energy use data for each building during the project. Because high demand for energy can stress the existing energy infrastructure, FortisBC and BC Hydro will benefit from discovering low-cost techniques that reduce demand for energy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jiaying Zhao

Student:

Ryan Dwyer

Partner:

BC Hydro

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Energy

University:

University of British Columbia