Tools and approaches used for ELL1 and ELL2 outreach and communication

In Hungary GDI made a special effort to implement ELL1 and ELL2 in as similar a way as possible except for using the individual or the group approach. Thus, all the materials distributed and the communication methods used were the same:

 participants were recruited using the same approach and materials;

 participants received the same newsletters (GDI created a newsletter for ELL participants);

 the same person conducted the first visit to all ELL1 and ELL2 households to ensure that they all receive the same welcome to and information about the project;

 they all received exactly the same challenge kits, tips, etc.;

 as shown in Figure 4 they all had the same laundry and heating challenge periods;

 etc.

Within this framework, there were some methods and actions that were different depending on whether the participant was involved in ELL1 or ELL2. Apart from conducting the deliberation and closing phases differently, i.e. participants having individual interviews in their homes in ELL1 and participants gathering in a community venue to take part in a focus group discussion in ELL2, in Hungary the following activities were undertaken to emphasize and strengthen the group approach:

 an additional group meeting was held halfway through the living lab active period (see Figure 4) to provide an opportunity to meet and discuss experience, and also for GDI to facilitate group development processes;

 a social media (Facebook) group was set up to allow for more exchange of information and experience.

Based on feedback from participants, the halfway meeting was really useful and provided additional motivation for people to stay involved as well as to try out some extra ideas that they heard from their peers.

Figure 4. The timeline and activities of the ELLs in Hungary

Figure 4 also highlights the activities and materials that were specific to ELLs in Hungary (see lines with grey colouring). For example, GDI created a newsletter for ELL participants to use as a means of communication. A newsletter format was selected in order to allow for creating a specific design to strengthen identification with the project. The newsletter was then used to provide all kinds of

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information to households: reminders about challenge dates, invitation to events, provision of extra materials, useful information about participation, etc. Thus, the newsletter was used to provide extra laundry and heating tips to all participating households halfway through each challenge to ensure that each household could find some new information and thus have an opportunity to learn.

Households were also offered the chance to sign up to energy advice visits in the framework of which they could receive household-specific behaviour and practice change based saving tips. To facilitate these meetings, GDI also prepared household energy saving tips booklets that provided tips for all household areas, not only laundry and heating (e.g. lighting, cooking, maintenance and settings, mobility, involving household members in energy saving, etc.).

Finally, as part of the weekly surveys, once every month ELL participants in Hungary were asked to provide their meter readings in order to facilitate the calculation of energy saving.

As stated above, all households were visited by the same representative of GDI at the beginning of the project when consent forms were signed, meters were installed and diaries distributed. The 'welcome pack' - packed in to an ELL bag as shown in the

picture - distributed to all households included the following items:

 Information about data collection and metering: consent form;

 Guidelines for using the meters;

 Meters (thermologger, thermometers, energy meters);

 Various diaries;

 Printed copy of ELL timeline with tasks, interviews, meetings, etc. Separate one for ELL1 and ELL2 participants;

 Fridge magnets (3) to help display the diaries as well as facilitate identification with the project/living lab.

As evidenced by information collected at closing/exit interviews and focus group meetings, households found the metering equipment and diaries really useful for becoming more aware and conscious of their daily practices, the temperature in their homes as well as the energy use of various programmes on their washing machine and driers. Participants also commented that following their consumption with the help of energy meters and writing the diaries helped them get a bit away from their comfortable life.

While 75-80% of participants found the diaries were really useful, about 20-25% said that they were a burden, especially that they also needed to report the same data in weekly surveys.

Laundry and heating challenge kits (see Table 6 and Figure 5) were received with great enthusiasm both at the end of deliberation interviews and at the focus group meeting. Participants were really excited about opening them, and then found the contents very useful (see Table 6 for the contents of the kits). From the laundry kits the most liked item, the absolute favourite was the stain remover with orange oil², and then the other stain remover. The apron and the brush were also mentioned. And some people remarked that they were just about to get a hanger like the one GDI provided. Participants also mentioned that it was good to receive good quality items.

As for the heating challenge kit, the most favourite items were the woollen socks, the hot chocolate and the ENERGISE mugs. People liked the yahtzee as well, which one of the participants started using in teaching.

Apart from helping participants to think about alternative ways of doing laundry and heating themselves (rather than the whole space), challenge kits were also useful for increasing

2 Please note that participants received 2 different kinds of stain removers in Hungary.

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identification with the ENERGISE ELLs and motivate participants to persevere in their efforts. In addition, because of the timing of the ELLs, the content of the challenge kits provided ideas for Christmas presents.

Table 6. The contents of laundry and heating challenge kits in Hungary Laundry challenge kit Heating challenge kit

 Instructions and tips flyer

 Stain remover: orange oil

 Stain remover: designed for spot cleaning

 Apron (with project / living lab logo)

 Brush

 Clothes hanger

 Instructions and tips flyer

 Board game: yahtzee

 Hot chocolate

 Coffee

 Fruit/herbal tea

 2 ENERGISE ELL mugs

 1 pair of warm (woollen) socks Figure 5. Laundry and heating challenge kits

 Laundry challenge kit (without and with the apron and info sheet):

 Heating challenge kit (in and out of the challenge box):

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2. PRACTICES BEFORE THE CHALLENGE (FROM THE