In this paper, we present a first-time cloud-based eco-feedback and gaming platform that aims to promote energy conserving thermostat-adjustment behaviors in multi-unit residential buildings. To achieve this goal, we introduce a new modeling approach for personalized eco-feedback design integrated with a collaborative social game to assist residents enhance their thermostat use while promoting community-level energy savings. Our modeling framework is integrated into a cloud-based application, MySmartE, with visual (wall-mounted tablet) and voice (Alexa) user interfaces to facilitate behavioral changes in a user-centric approach. The platform is deployed in a multi-unit residential community in Fort Wayne, IN, and data from the field study are used to investigate: (i) how occupants' thermostat behaviors changed after using the MySmartE app; (ii) how users interacted with the app during the game; and (iii) how was users' experience with the developed platform. Despite the heterogeneous characteristics of households, the results from the field study showed the positive effect of the intervention in the thermostat-adjustment behaviors, which resulted in an increase in the indoor temperature during the cooling season compared to the baseline. Findings from the user interaction analysis and post-experiment interviews also revealed the significant potential to nudge households’ energy conservation behaviors with the developed platform along with the challenges that should be tackled to derive long-term behavior changes.

在本文中，我们首次提出了一个基于云的生态反馈和游戏平台，旨在促进多单元住宅建筑的节能恒温器调节行为。为了实现这一目标，我们引入了一种新的建模方法，用于个性化生态反馈设计与协作社交游戏相结合，以帮助居民提高恒温器的使用，同时促进社区层面的节能。我们的建模框架集成到基于云的应用程序 MySmartE 中，具有视觉（壁挂式平板电脑）和语音 (Alexa) 用户界面，以促进以用户为中心的方法中的行为改变。该平台部署在印第安纳州韦恩堡的一个多单元住宅社区，现场研究的数据用于调查：(i) 使用 MySmartE 应用程序后居住者的恒温器行为如何变化；(ii) 用户在游戏期间如何与应用程序互动；(iii) 用户对开发平台的体验如何。尽管家庭的异质性特征，实地研究的结果表明干预对恒温器调节行为的积极影响，导致冷却季节的室内温度与基线相比有所增加。用户交互分析和实验后访谈的结果还揭示了利用开发平台推动家庭节能行为的巨大潜力，以及为获得长期行为改变而应解决的挑战。尽管家庭的异质性特征，实地研究的结果表明干预对恒温器调节行为的积极影响，导致冷却季节的室内温度与基线相比有所增加。用户交互分析和实验后访谈的结果还揭示了利用开发平台推动家庭节能行为的巨大潜力，以及为获得长期行为改变而应解决的挑战。尽管家庭的异质性特征，实地研究的结果表明干预对恒温器调节行为的积极影响，导致冷却季节的室内温度与基线相比有所增加。用户交互分析和实验后访谈的结果还揭示了利用开发平台推动家庭节能行为的巨大潜力，以及为获得长期行为改变而应解决的挑战。