An energy display in shared housing

Residents of a shared apartment building will receive a weekly display of electricity used in common areas. The figures include corridors, lifts and the laundry room, but exclude individual apartments. Building managers hope that making usage visible will encourage practical suggestions, such as changing lighting schedules. They warn that week-to-week comparisons can be misleading when weather or occupancy changes. A lower figure does not automatically prove that a particular action worked. Residents will discuss possible improvements at a monthly meeting, and managers will test agreed changes one at a time. Costs and accessibility will be considered alongside any reduction in electricity use.