One size does not fit all
To achieve business goals involving the grid reliability, Energy Efficiency and Demand Response, energy service providers need for customers to fully and actively participate in energy programs. Yet it’s challenging. Studies show that people spend an average of six minutes per year thinking about their energy usage. And more often than not, providers launch generalized, one-time interaction programs, such as incentivizing consumers to replace their old fridges with energy efficient ones. Through extensive behavioral science research, Tendril has discovered new, optimal ways in which energy service providers can successfully engage consumers in ongoing Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, pricing and other energy programs.
Create context
Consumers are much more likely to be active energy program participants when they have relevant context. Saving 12 cents on your monthly utility bill by installing CFLs isn’t as exciting as knowing that your efforts helped light the top floor of the Empire State Building for an hour. Providing consumers with a mobile app that lets them adjust their programmable thermostats to turn on the heat when the kids get home from school creates a tailored, applicable experience.
Continue the conversation
Involve consumers in the conversation about energy awareness, get them to set an energy goal, help them achieve that goal by providing social and expert support along the way. Provide active learning opportunities—relevant examples of how their daily activities can save energy and money. And remember that positive reinforcement is a powerful tool.
Leveraging the Tendril Connect™ platform and Tendril’s behavioral science insight, energy service providers can start conversations with consumers to create ongoing, effective energy management programs, improve the consumer-utility relationship, and fuel consumers’ willingness to participate in future programs that result in persistent behavioral change.