Transparent energy consumption automatically causes us to act more sustainably - this is what a study by the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) has found out. The reason for this is the direct relationship between consumption and costs, which is clarified to us, for example, with consumption billings during the year. But what are the psychological factors behind this and why are GreenPocket's solutions effective in the long term?
Up to now, electricity costs are billed once at the end of the year. This has the advantage that the electricity meter only has to be read once a year by the utility company. But which advantages would a frequent consumption information offer consumers? A ZEW study has examined the effectiveness of frequent consumption billing and confirmed the psychological effect which leads to more sustainability.
KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO CHANGE IN CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR
In one experiment, students worked on a visual task on a computer screen, for which they could increase the screen brightness as a relief. Beforehand, they were told that they would have to pay for electricity consumption either immediately or afterwards. After completing the task, the consumption of the group instructed to pay immediately was 14% lower than of the group allowed to pay afterwards. Thus, they were more likely to forgo the brighter screen. It can be seen that the so-called "present focus" occurs, in which the immediate costs play a much greater role than the later costs. The closer consumption and billing coincide in time, the clearer conclusions can be drawn about individual behaviors, which are then adjusted automatically.
NOT A NICE-TO-HAVE, BUT A MUST
However, frequent consumption billing and transparency about energy consumption are no longer just a nice-to-have. In the course of digitalization and the installation of smart meters for consumers with more than 6,000 kWh/year, consumption data can be transmitted continuously via remote reading and metering point operators have to provide a software which makes the data visible. In addition, from 01.01.2022, the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires consumers to get informed monthly (at least during heating periods) by the metering service provider or housing manager about their consumption. The aim of the directive is to reduce CO2-consuption.
ACTING SUSTAINABLY BY RAISING AWARENESS
By enabling private users to view their energy consumption and the resulting costs transparently at any time with GreenPocket's solutions, the described effect is actively supported and at the same time, all legal obligations are fulfilled. Changes in consumption can be directly detected and related to the behavior. However, companies can also use the individual reporting function of the energy management software to check regularly how much energy has been consumed beyond the monthly statements. So, consumers are automatically sensitized in their behavior. Beyond the "automatic saving” of electricity through this sensitization, the software provides energy-saving tips and suggests measures that lead to additional energy savings. The saved energy not only reduces individual costs but also contributes significantly to a general reduction in CO2 emissions. In this way, GreenPocket's solutions ensure that energy is used more efficiently and that it is acted generally more sustainable in terms of climate protection.
So even seemingly small changes can contribute to something big -and in line with our mission, we help raising consumer awareness and generate individual benefits through transparent energy management.
