Case Story
Showering Smartly in Student Accomodations
Aguardio’s Shower Sensor motivates University of Surrey students to cut shower time by 33%
Jason Hawkes/University of Surrey
Overview
Concerned about the high water and energy consumption in student accommodations due to prolonged showering, a behavioural intervention using Aguardio’s shower sensor and persuasive messaging was conducted at University of Surrey. The study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the intervention in encouraging pro-environmental shower behaviour among students over a period of 5 months.
Challenge
Students spend more time showering than other age groups (often on average between 9-12 minutes), which contributes to increased water and energy consumption in student accommodations.
Moreover, traditional methods of encouraging behaviour change, such as signs or posters, may not be effective in the long term.
Aguardio Shower Sensors, innovative smart technology IoT sensors that provide real-time feedback on water and energy usage while showering, were installed in students’ shower cubicles. The feedback from the sensor empowered students to modify their behaviour in real-time. Also tested were three persuasive messages that reflected pro-environmental values and the level of effort required to engage with the message (e.g., Water is essential for life! A typical shower here has water running for 3:30 mins.
Will you beat the clock? Water conservation starts with you. Make a difference!
How Aguardio Helped
Results
Aguardio’s shower sensors combined with pro-environment messaging reduced students’ average showering time by 33% or by approximately 3 minutes, demonstrating the effectiveness of using Aguardio’s shower technology and persuasive messaging in encouraging pro-environmental shower behaviour among students.
By implementing Aguardio’s shower sensor, student accommodations can reduce their water and energy consumption and contribute to pro-environmental behaviour among their residents.
~8000
students
33%
reduction in shower duration with Aguardio + pro-environment messaging in bathrooms, where Aguardio was installed
Estimated Impact:
Assumptions: District heating: 458 gCO2e/litre, Oil burner: 789 gCO2e/litre, Gas: 183 gCO2e/litre, and Power: 450 gCO2e/litre
