As an energy sector professional, he knows the challenges we are facing. He has been utilizing the app since its inception, and he shares with us his vision.

• How have you found using the app?
  The app concept is really interesting, but for me, the need to provide data every month is a challenge. I know this is part of a research program, and this encourages me to make the effort to support researchers in their investigations—this is important for creating a fair energy system. 

• Has it made you think about your consumption?
  To be honest, I am a conscientious person. This means that I already knew my electricity and heating consumption, and I have carried out some work at home in the past to reduce energy consumption and I have also been looking for cheaper and greener providers, etc. Here, I have a complaint for the Spanish Ministry. While there are over 800 energy providers in Spain, those of us who can benefit from a government reduction can only choose among five companies. The government channels subsidies only through these companies, and these companies are not necessarily the most sustainable from an energy perspective. 

• Would you keep using it to track your energy consumption label over time?
  I will continue providing data because of the potential of the studies you are conducting. What I would like to see is the label included directly in my bill. I am not asking for a label in my car, yet the Government forces me to stick it on the car’s windshield. They could just as easily require energy distributors to inform citizens of their energy labels directly on the bill. I mean, I do not have a special interest in spending time entering data for knowing my label, but if this is provided to me somehow, it is welcome. 

• What impact do you see this app having on people’s behavior?
  It is difficult for me to answer this question because I am already highly trained in energy matters—in fact, I even work in a company in the sector. Perhaps the potential lies in helping those unfamiliar with the terminology in their bills so they can start understanding the sector and make informed decisions, such as switching providers, reducing contracted power, or seeking alternative heating solutions. In other words, I see significant educational potential that, in the long run, will lead to behavioural changes. The problem is that sometimes intentions do not align with realities. 

• What do you think would improve the app? Well, I think there are several things that could really improve the app. For instance, I’d love to see more personalized insights. If the app could analyse each user’s consumption patterns and provide specific tips on how to cut down on energy use, that would be super valuable. However, as I mentioned earlier, having automated data collection would really enhance the quality of those tips. Also, it’s important to offer insights about government subsidies and green energy options; that would be incredibly useful for users. Lastly, I think it’s essential to go beyond just providing comparisons. Users should be informed about the analysis of their data and the information being collected, so they understand how it can benefit them.