A Light Bulb Moment for Cities: Opportunities to Improve Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach

Abstract

Cities are critical in combatting climate change and many are taking a global leadership role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Fossil fuels associated with electric power generation are a significant contributor to climate change; energy conservation and energy efficiency represent one path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting the development and livability of urban areas. This chapter provides an overview of web-based energy efficiency outreach of large US cities in the country’s largest metropolitan statistical areas. The cities included in this review are not only diverse in characteristics catalogued through the US Census but also in terms of city government sustainability commitments. Cities with a greater number of sustainability affiliations and commitments do not consistently translate these commitments into effective web experiences for non-English-speaking and low-income residents or for residents of multifamily buildings. In addition, the municipal energy efficiency websites reviewed have an average Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 13.1 (SD 3.0), much higher than the recommended sixth to eighth grade level for public communications. The chapter concludes with several recommendations for improvements to municipal energy efficiency websites to increase effectiveness in reaching and motivating a diverse audience to pursue residential energy efficiency measures, not just to meet a city’s energy goals, but so that its residents can experience cost and comfort benefits.