LIT HoMES (Leveraging Individual Transitions into Homeownership to Motivate Energy Savings) (2014-2015)

As a person moves into homeownership for the first time, there are a variety of decisions for him or her to make about the new dwelling and lifestyle, new information to process and new challenges, including the need to engage with a range of utility bills that may or may not have been previously encountered. During this period, educational information regarding household energy use and potential savings could be provided. Some local organizations have begun to develop programs for people at this stage. But we do not yet know enough about the optimal ways to engage the diverse array of people that comprise first-time homeowners regarding energy behavior.

This project team organized a summit of local government and nonprofit organizations to explore this critical transition point and developed feasible strategies for communicating with people transitioning into home ownership about energy-saving tips and recommendations. Over 40 people attended the summit, including representatives from government, academia and the nonprofit and commercial sectors.

Timing

Fall 2014 – Spring 2015

Team Outcomes

Brian G. Southwell, Elizabeth M. B. Doran, and Laura S. Richman, editors. 2016. Innovations in Home Energy Use: A Sourcebook for Behavior Change. Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI Press.

Project LIT HoMES: Leveraging Individual Transitions into Homeownership to Motivate Energy Savings (poster by Brian Southwell, Laura Richman, Liz Bloomhardt Doran, Nicholas Garafola, Amitpal Singh, Jordan Thomas, Lauren Harper, Brandon Ellis)

LITHomes Innovation Summit (February 20, 2015)