How have you found using the app?
At first, it was interesting. It took me a bit of effort (boomer effect), and I had to ask a few questions, but then I found it easy. I don’t usually use apps like this, so it felt a bit “unusual” for my habits. I used it during the first few months, mostly motivated by the activities we were proposing at Campus Sur, but then during the summer, I disconnected.
Has it made you think about your consumption?
Yes, especially regarding transportation, where I tend to be more “comfortable.” Now, with the arrival of winter, I’m also more mindful about regulating the heating at home.
Would you keep using it to track your energy consumption label over time?
Honestly, after the summer, I haven’t updated it, neither for transportation nor for entering electricity expenses. I’ve disconnected. The heating bills haven’t started arriving yet either.
What impact do you see this app having on people’s behaviour?
From my personal experience, it has an impact at the beginning, when you start using it—you become aware of habits, consumption, etc. Later, I lost the habit of using it and also the interest. I’ve already become aware, and entering data doesn’t add much value for me anymore.
What do you think would improve the app?
Based on my behaviour, I think it could improve with some periodic reminders (for example, around the time when bills usually arrive) to encourage users to input data.
To motivate users and highlight the value of contributing data, the app could send periodic reports with general insights learned from the collected data. Or maybe send an interesting news update… something like a simple and engaging newsletter.
Editorial comment
Great observations, Rafael. More to come to support APP users including personal guidance and advice on how you can save carbon and cash on your energy usage. We also plan more interaction with app users to share lessons learnt. Meanwhile please keep on using the app as we build our knowledge and experience in what is a research project.
You might also have a look at the Citizen Science and Climate Change LinkedIn Group where you can exchange views on using the app.
