| 8322 |
Creator |
5c287fc1a5f11a55cb806c3e2de8d583 |
| 8322 |
Creator |
d41d7dfb096b11fdfe42a98a2f38cc7b |
| 8322 |
Date |
2007-08-28 |
| 8322 |
Is Part Of |
repository |
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abstract |
The development and rapid consumer adoption of low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies
are key elements of UK and EU carbon reduction strategies to meet the challenge of
climate change. Many LZC technologies are available, ranging from established energy
efficiency products such as home insulation and energy-efficient lighting to more
innovative renewable energy systems, including solar thermal systems, micro-wind turbines,
solar photovoltaics and biomass stoves and boilers. This paper examines key influences
on consumer adoption – and non-adoption – of energy efficiency products and renewable
energy systems based on the findings of a UK Open University project, which conducted
some 90 in-depth telephone interviews plus an on-line survey with nearly 400 responses
during 2006. The survey results show that it is important to research consumer requirements
and use behaviours when developing ‘green’ technologies. Consumer adoption of LZC
products and systems has been relatively slow and, even when installed, due to behavioural
effects, they have not always reduced carbon emissions as much as expected.
The results of this study of UK consumers’ experiences shows that improved designs
are required to address barriers to LZC adoption and problems in use, including functionality,
ergonomics, interconnectedness with other systems and symbolic value, as well as cost
and payback. Offering challenges for designers and engineers and marketers, the paper
identifies user-centred ideas and concepts to promote more rapid adoption and carbon-saving
use of LZC technologies. |
| 8322 |
authorList |
authors |
| 8322 |
presentedAt |
ext-4b90c6bbcf3481ec6818d2f9c8b72a81 |
| 8322 |
status |
peerReviewed |
| 8322 |
uri |
http://data.open.ac.uk/oro/document/14250 |
| 8322 |
uri |
http://data.open.ac.uk/oro/document/14251 |
| 8322 |
uri |
http://data.open.ac.uk/oro/document/795 |
| 8322 |
uri |
http://data.open.ac.uk/oro/document/7982 |
| 8322 |
type |
AcademicArticle |
| 8322 |
type |
Article |
| 8322 |
label |
Roy, Robin and Caird, Sally (2007). Designing low and zero carbon products and
systems: improvements based on consumers’ experience of adoption and use. In: International
Conference on Engineering Design ICED'07, Design for Society: Knowledge, innovation
and sustainability, 28-30 Aug 2007, Paris, France. |
| 8322 |
label |
Roy, Robin and Caird, Sally (2007). Designing low and zero carbon products and
systems: improvements based on consumers’ experience of adoption and use. In: International
Conference on Engineering Design ICED'07, Design for Society: Knowledge, innovation
and sustainability, 28-30 Aug 2007, Paris, France. |
| 8322 |
Title |
Designing low and zero carbon products and systems: improvements based on consumers’
experience of adoption and use |
| 8322 |
in dataset |
oro |