Building retrofits present a unique opportunity for raising energy awareness

Energy awareness is important to the successful implementation of energy savings strategies. Occupant behavior can affect the energy savings achieved by building retrofit projects. Therefore, raising occupant awareness about energy efficient practices should be part of successful energy savings strategies. Building retrofits of lighting systems, windows, heating and cooling systems and other energy savings technologies should be planned carefully to include energy awareness components. Energy awareness efforts can serve to educate occupants about the retrofit technology and its proper use as well as inform occupants about construction progress and its impact on them. Communicating about energy efficiency, its principles, and benefits can be difficult to do for several reasons. The challenges include the complexity of energy processes and technologies, the pace of technological change, and the first-cost over lifecycle-cost reference of most users. Getting clear messages across through be range of competing energy messages is not an easy task. However, energy communications can be effectively achieved through an understanding of the needs, perceptions, and requirements of the target audience. This can be accomplished through six primary principles of effective communications.