Antecedents-Behaviour-Consequences (ABC) Theory and Effect of Behaviour Change Training on Energy Conservation

Antecedents-Behaviour-Consequences (ABC) Theory was initially developed and tested for non-energy conservation applications. However, it was Wai et al. who developed a model in 2006 based on ABC Theory for energy conservation applications and termed it Environment-Mind-Behaviour (EMB) model. This paper discusses the applicability of the ABC/EMB Theory in energy conservation through experimental design. Two different facilities on air-conditioning applications were observed to measure the impacts of behaviour change training in actual operations. The impact was measured at both locations by reducing the air-conditioning running hours and increasing the set temperature without compromising the occupant's comfort level. The saving quantum is analysed using International Performance Measurement and Verification (IPMV) Protocol A, and the output was checked further using paired t-test. Results show that behaviour change significantly affects the consequences. The study concludes on the cumulative impact of energy conservation on the environment and the cost of importing fossil fuels.