The role of smart meter feedback in enhancing inhabitants’ energy efficient behaviour in residential buildings

Abstract

The urgent challenges of global climate change and rising energy costs underscore the critical need for energy efficiency in residential buildings. Smart meters offer real-time insights into household energy consumption, but their effectiveness depends on how well they influence user behaviour. This systematic literature review synthesizes existing research to assess the role of smart meters in shaping inhabitants’ energy use. Key findings indicate that personalized, appliance-specific feedback and messages highlighting potential losses from excessive consumption can help reduce energy use. However, technological barriers—such as poorly designed interfaces and complex pricing structures—limit long-term engagement with smart meters. While social influence and gamification encourage short-term reductions in energy consumption, they can also lead to unintended increases once incentives are removed. Financial incentives are particularly effective in promoting energy savings among low-income households. Demographic factors—such as homeownership, age, and technological literacy—significantly affect user engagement. Older populations and renters, in particular, often face challenges in benefiting from energy efficiency initiatives. This study emphasises the need for a combination of behavioural and policy interventions, advocating for user-centered feedback designs, equitable pricing models that adjust based on real-time energy demand and hybrid approaches that combine smart meter data with financial support for energy-efficient home improvements. By bridging the gap between technological capability and residents’ behavioural change, this research offers strategies to transform smart meters from passive monitoring devices into active tools that encourage more consistent energy-saving behaviour over time. The findings provide actionable insights for researchers, technology developers, and policymakers.