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Competition in a Household Energy Conservation Game

Author

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  • Jan Dirk Fijnheer

    (Department of Information & Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Herre van Oostendorp

    (Department of Information & Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Geert-Jan Giezeman

    (Department of Information & Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Remco C. Veltkamp

    (Department of Information & Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a game study, comparing Powersaver Game including a competition feature versus the same game excluding a competition feature with respect to energy conservation in the household. In a pretest–posttest design, we tested whether change in attitude, knowledge and behavior with respect to energy conservation in the household was different for participants playing Powersaver Game with or without competition. All energy conservation activities that the application provides (e.g., washing clothes at low temperatures) take place in the real world and feedback is based on real-time energy consumption. This so-called reality-enhanced game approach aims to optimize the transfer between the game world and the real world. Household energy consumption changed significantly and positively in the long term due to competition. A significant difference of 8% in energy consumption between both conditions after the intervention was detected. Besides energy conservation, no further differences were detected between conditions. The chain of events, that an increase in knowledge leads to attitude change, which in turn results in behavior change in the long term is confirmed by means of a path analysis. We conclude that Powersaver Game is effective in the transfer of energy conservation knowledge, which leads to energy saving behavior in the long term while competition additionally contributes to more change in behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Dirk Fijnheer & Herre van Oostendorp & Geert-Jan Giezeman & Remco C. Veltkamp, 2021. "Competition in a Household Energy Conservation Game," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:11991-:d:668204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rajagopal, 2014. "The Human Factors," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Architecting Enterprise, chapter 9, pages 225-249, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Hargreaves, Tom & Nye, Michael & Burgess, Jacquelin, 2010. "Making energy visible: A qualitative field study of how householders interact with feedback from smart energy monitors," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 6111-6119, October.
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    1. Alettin Irmak & Nurlan Kurmanov & Onaikhan Zhadigerova & Zukhra Turdiyeva & Aigul Bakirbekova & Gaukhar Saimagambetova & Assilbek Baidakov & Aigul Mukhamejanova & Madina Tolysbayeva & Sagyngali Seitzh, 2023. "Shaping Energy-Saving Behavior in Education System: A Systematic Review," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(4), pages 46-60, July.

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