Maintenance and efficiency of heating systems to reduce air pollution: evaluation of a community-based campaign to change energy behaviors in an Italian province

Energy efficiency information campaigns are key to promote energy savings and reduction of air pollutants. The study’s aim is to assess the impact of an information campaign on heating systems maintenance implemented in a province of Northern Italy conducted developing ad hoc communication material, including posters, brochures, online advertising and media communication. Our analysis considered selected outcomes over the period 2008-2014. We report decreasing heating systems irregularities (from 52% to 31%; p<0.05), decreasing reported ‘lack of maintenance’ (from 23.3% to 12.2%; p<0.05), decreasing of other non-compliances (location: - 62.5%, p<0.05, ventilation: -72.4%, p<0.05, among others) as well as decreasing fines to users (from 229/year to 137/year). These results support the hypothesis that campaigns to improve energy efficiency behavior could be considered as appropriate measures to promote and facilitate an efficient use of energy by small energy customers.