References & Citations
Computer Science > Computers and Society
Title: Increasing retrofit device adoption in social housing: evidence from two field experiments in Belgium
(Submitted on 21 Mar 2024 (v1), last revised 26 Apr 2024 (this version, v2))
Abstract: Energy efficient technologies are particularly important for social housing settings: they offer the potential to improve tenants' wellbeing through monetary savings and comfort, while reducing emissions of entire communities. Slow uptake of innovative energy technology in social housing has been associated with a lack of trust and the perceived risks of adoption. To counteract both, we designed a communication campaign for a retrofit technology for heating including social norms for technology adoption and concretely experienced benefits. We report two randomized controlled trials (RCT) in two different social housing communities in Belgium. In the first study, randomization was on housing block level: the communication led to significant higher uptake rates compared to the control group, (b = 1.7, p = .024). In the second study randomization occurred on apartment level, again yielding a significant increase (b = 1.62, p = 0.02), when an interaction with housing blocks was considered. We discuss challenges of conducting randomized controlled trials in social housing communities.
Submission history
From: Celina Kacperski [view email][v1] Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:49:05 GMT (659kb)
[v2] Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:27:26 GMT (1208kb)
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