Heating in households accounts for about 17 percent of total energy consumption in Europe, so it’s important to understand how this can be reduced. In the Corvinus study, participants were placed into four groups and asked to indicate what temperature they would set in their homes for the coming weeks. The research, published in the December issue of Sustainable Futures, analysed the responses of 266 students. The study was carried out by Richárd Szántó, Borbála Szüle and Judit Gáspár. 

The researchers tested two factors, both on their own and in combination. In one case, participants were asked to assume that the default temperature in their home was 18 degrees. In the other, they received a short note summarising international health recommendations on safe indoor temperatures. 

Less energy, more knowledge 

According to the results, the biggest change in students’ choices came from receiving information. Setting a default temperature alone didn’t make a meaningful difference. On average, participants lowered their preferred temperature by almost 1 degree after reading expert guidance (from an average of 21.5 degrees in the control group to 20.5 degrees). The researchers suggest that young adults are only willing to accept a lower temperature when they feel confident it poses no health risk. 

Interestingly, the combined intervention – providing information along with a default setting – did not work. Those participants chose a higher average temperature than the group that received information only. The authors link this to earlier findings showing that certain nudges can backfire when people feel their decisions are being steered from outside. 

Safety first 

The study also found that people who are more concerned about energy security tend to choose lower temperatures. Anxiety about climate change, however, did not significantly influence temperature preferences. 

“Information campaigns can be an effective policy tool when they provide clear, trustworthy guidance and address energy security with care. Overstating the risks, though, can backfire and create resistance,” said Richárd Szántó, the study’s lead author. 

The researchers add that the 18-degree recommendation may be too low for some households, especially those with small children or older adults. Their overall conclusion is that explaining the benefits of lowering temperatures is often enough. Drastic interventions are not always needed.