The impact of social interaction combined with other influences on household energy-based practices

This research was motivated by the observed failure of residential energy reduction programs to achieve objectives and a lack of focus on social influence within these programs. The research provides a better understanding of the role of social influence on energy-based actions, their impact on sustained change and also provides a broad model of influences that can be used to improve future programs. The research is focused on aged, vulnerable populations in Victorian households who are impacted by high energy bills and low thermal comfort. Future intervention programs would benefit from the greater consideration of social influences within their program design.