What risks will participants be exposed to?

This study has been reviewed by Northeastern University’s Institutional Review Board and was determined to present a low level of risk to participants. You may experience temporary discomfort with the temperature in your home when we intervene with your heating and cooling during the second year of the study. However, the temperature will never reach extremes such that it is unsafe. Additionally, you will always have the ability to manually override the temperature by adjusting it on the physical thermostat. 

There is a possibility that you may not want to answer some of the questions you will be asked during the interview or in the surveys, and you are free to refuse to answer any question. Your refusal to answer will not have any impact on your participation in the study, and you are free to stop your participation at any time. Throughout the study, data about energy use will be collected from your home and you will provide information about your household and thermal comfort. As with any such study, there is a risk that the confidential data you entrust to us could be compromised. Such a breach is unlikely, as the research team has developed strong administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your confidential information. For more information, see the “How will my personal data be protected?” question and answer below.