A social constructionist approach to managing HVAC energy consumption using social norms-A randomised field experiment

This study tests the hypothesis that thermal comfort is socially constructed and as such, social norms will be effective in influencing Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) consumptions towards more sustainable levels. Within the framework of a randomized field experiment, the response of hotel guests to message prompts to set their room thermostat to a prescribed temperature was observed. Response behavior was monitored using temperature data logging devices which were placed in the hotel rooms. The data loggers recorded temperature readings from a sample size of 1047 guest stays. The findings suggest that social norms are effective in influencing hotel guests' room temperature settings, indicating that thermal comfort may not only be a physiological and psychological need, but most importantly a social construct. The implication is that the future of the current unsustainable trend in resource consumption and Green House Gas pollution, driven by the increasing adoption of, and demands for, HVAC systems in buildings, can be modified towards more sustainable levels.

Automated summary

The study found that social norms can influence hotel guests' room temperature settings, indicating that thermal comfort is not only a physiological and psychological need, but also a social construct.