Social Electricity: When Awareness About Electricity Becomes Social

Although domestic smart metering has been introduced into our lives, it is still not easy for consumers to know how much electricity they are using. Consumers are unable to assess whether their consumption is low, average or high. "Social Electricity" is a Facebook application that aims to make individuals aware of their energy consumption by means of comparisons with the corresponding electrical consumption of their friends, as well as with the total consumption in the area where they live. Effective and realistic social comparisons could raise consumers' awareness of their consumption behaviour, enabling them to take steps to reduce their electricity use and carbon footprint.