A randomized field experiment comparing nudges and boosts for household electricity conservation in student housing

Abstract

Abstract Behavioral interventions can promote household energy conservation, yet evidence on the mediators and moderators driving their effects remains limited. In a 24-week randomized field experiment with 140 student households, we contrasted two behavioral interventions: a social comparison “nudge” with a competence-enhancing “boost”. Specifically, the nudged group received weekly normative feedback on their electricity use relative to their peers, while the boosted participants accessed device-specific energy-saving tips. Both treatments significantly reduced electricity consumption relative to control by attenuating the seasonal increase observed among untreated households, corresponding to avoided consumption of ~7 MWh. Exploratory analyses indicated that the effects were concentrated among participants with higher baseline consumption. Within this group, the Boost intervention was associated with a statistically significant reduction of 3.97 kWh per week relative to control. The nudged participants reduced their weekly consumption by 3.12 kWh. While both interventions performed similarly over time, evidence for competence enhancement was limited: competence scores increased modestly in the boost group relative to control, but this effect became marginal after correcting for multiple testing. Further evidence indicates that intervention effects were strongest among participants with higher pre-treatment competence and environmental motivation, suggesting a moderating role of these variables.