Reducing Electricity Use on Campus: The Use of Prompts, Feedback, and Goal Setting to Decrease Excessive Classroom Lighting. Issue 2 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clayton, Michael; Nesnidol, Samantha
• Is Part Of: Journal of organizational behavior management. Volume 37:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: electricity conservation -- goal setting -- performance feedback -- sustainability; Organizational behavior -- Management -- Periodicals; 302.3505
• DOI: 10.1080/01608061.2017.1325823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-8061

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Energy conservation is an important factor in both sustainability programs and operating costs faced by organizations. The current study used visual prompts, performance feedback, and goals setting to reduce unnecessary classroom lighting on a college campus. A package intervention was applied weekly over a semester using a multiple baseline design across three units, with one unit serving as a baseline-only control. Signs were hung in classrooms and updated weekly. The signs asked users to conserve energy by turning off the lights when the room is not in use, and indicated progress toward a goal for the current room as well as the building overall. The combined treatment successfully reduced unnecessary classroom lighting and generated interest in campus sustainability programs.