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User-Centred Improvements To Energy Efficiency Products And Renewable Energy Systems: Research On Household Adoption And Use

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  • SALLY CAIRD

    (Design Innovation Group, Sustainable Technologies Group, Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK)

  • ROBIN ROY

    (Design Innovation Group, Sustainable Technologies Group, Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK)

Abstract

The development and rapid consumer adoption of energy efficiency products and renewable energy systems are key elements of the UK and the EU carbon reduction strategies to meet the challenge of climate change. Many such technologies are available for domestic use, but despite government incentives to meet carbon reduction targets consumer adoption has been slow. This Open University research with 111 in-depth interviews plus an on-line survey with nearly 400 responses, investigates consumer adoption, non-adoption and use of these technologies. Results show that it is important to research consumer use experiences, problems and requirements when designing and developing "green" technologies. With results tailored to each technology, this study shows that user-centred improvements are required to improve functionality, ergonomics, inter-connectedness with other systems and symbolic value, and to reduce cost and payback. User-centred research supports new product/system design and development to promote more rapid adoption and carbon-saving use of energy efficient and renewable technologies in homes.

Suggested Citation

  • Sally Caird & Robin Roy, 2008. "User-Centred Improvements To Energy Efficiency Products And Renewable Energy Systems: Research On Household Adoption And Use," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(03), pages 327-355.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:12:y:2008:i:03:n:s1363919608002072
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919608002072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. מחקר - ביטוח לאומי, 2006. "Summary for 2005," Working Papers 29, National Insurance Institute of Israel.
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin G Moehrle & Irina Pfennig & Jan M Gerken, 2017. "Identifying Lead Users In A B2b Environment Based On Patent Analysis — The Case Of The Crane Industry," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(06), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Paoli, Leonardo & Cullen, Jonathan, 2020. "Technical limits for energy conversion efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    3. Owen, A. & Mitchell, G. & Gouldson, A., 2014. "Unseen influence—The role of low carbon retrofit advisers and installers in the adoption and use of domestic energy technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 169-179.
    4. Diaz-Rainey, Ivan & Ashton, John K., 2015. "Investment inefficiency and the adoption of eco-innovations: The case of household energy efficiency technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 105-117.
    5. Nygrén, Nina A. & Kontio, Panu & Lyytimäki, Jari & Varho, Vilja & Tapio, Petri, 2015. "Early adopters boosting the diffusion of sustainable small-scale energy solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 79-87.
    6. Zobeidi, Tahereh & Komendantova, Nadejda & Yazdanpanah, Masoud, 2022. "Social media as a driver of the use of renewable energy: The perceptions of instagram users in Iran," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    7. Kirsi Kotilainen & Ulla A. Saari, 2018. "Policy Influence on Consumers’ Evolution into Prosumers—Empirical Findings from an Exploratory Survey in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-22, January.
    8. Christianne Wall & Richard Laing, 2024. "Achieving Net Zero: How Could User Feedback Be Leveraged to Promote Domestic Heat Pump Adoption in Scotland?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-20, September.
    9. Gezahegn, Tafesse W. & Gebregiorgis, Gebrecherkos & Gebrehiwet, Tesfay & Tesfamariam, Kifle, 2018. "Adoption of renewable energy technologies in rural Tigray, Ethiopia: An analysis of the impact of cooperatives," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 108-113.
    10. Viardot, Eric, 2013. "The role of cooperatives in overcoming the barriers to adoption of renewable energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 756-764.

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