Unlocking Efficiency Through Behavioural Insights & Measurement

At Augos, we champion innovation within the hospitality sector, leveraging data to drive smarter, more sustainable operations. Our commitment often involves collaborating with researchers to uncover new ways to optimise performance. Through supporting work like that conducted by Dr. Love Idahosa, exploring hotel guest behaviour and energy use, we gain valuable insights – insights that challenge conventional approaches to energy management. We thank Dr. Idahosa for her significant contribution to this field.

The Hidden Factor: Guest Psychology and Energy Consumption

You invest heavily in efficient HVAC systems, lighting, and operations, yet energy bills remain stubbornly high. Why? A crucial, often underestimated, factor is guest behaviour. How guests interact with in-room controls, particularly air conditioning, can drastically sway energy consumption, regardless of your building's technical efficiency.

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But what truly influences these choices? Our collaborative research support has reinforced a fascinating finding from behavioural science: normative prompts are often far more effective than direct requests.

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Instead of simply asking guests to "save energy," framing the desired behaviour as a common or popular choice – "Most guests find 22°C comfortable and efficient" – taps into our natural inclination to align with social norms. This subtle shift in communication can be a surprisingly powerful tool for encouraging more energy-conscious actions, without compromising guest comfort. It suggests that the words we use might be as important as the thermostats themselves.

The Measurement Imperative: Knowing What Works

Understanding the potential of behavioural nudges is exciting, but how do you know if they are truly effective in your property? How much energy are they actually saving? This is where measurement becomes indispensable.

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Augos was proud to provide the precise measurement technology that enabled Dr. Idahosa's research to accurately quantify the impact of different communication strategies on real-world energy consumption. Without robust data, even the best behavioural insights remain guesswork.

Ready to put Insight into Practice?

Recognising the power of normative prompts is the first step. The next is learning how to effectively implement and measure such an initiative within your own hotel. We’ve developed a practical, step-by-step guide to help you pilot this approach, test its effectiveness, and understand the crucial role of measurement in validating your results.

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Discover how to run your own "Nudge & Analyse" pilot – read our Practical Implementation Guide.

Contact Us‍

Ready to move beyond estimation and accurately measure your energy performance? Our team is ready to assist you, please email: info@augos.io or call +27 87 093 6174.‍‍