To determine the relationship of various forms of communication to adoption of energy conservation behavior among homeowners, and to compare the energy conserving behavior of those under 65 with those over 65, a three-year panel study was conducted in a Midwest suburban community. Heads of households who owned single family dwellings were contacted by telephone concerning the steps they had taken to conserve energy in their homes, such as adding attic insulation or turning down the thermostat. Respondents also answered questions about what forms of communication they relied on, whether they had seen any energy conservation commercials recently or had requested a utility audit, and those who were willing also released their public service heating records. Results showed that those over 65 were less willing to take steps to conserve energy, kept their thermostats set higher than younger respondents, and had fewer plans to conserve energy in the future, though the two groups had equivalent knowledge of energy problems and conservation measures. Reading newspaper stories and viewing television programs about energy conservation were strongly related to the perceived importance of the energy problem, although the more general the information, the less it was correlated to behavior. Those over 65 were more likely to try to conserve energy if a utility auditor visited their home, or if they received bill-insert pamphlets. (Notes, tables, and 27 references are included.) (JC)