Human factors in energy efficient housing: Insights from a Northern Ireland pocket neighbourhood

Abstract

This evaluation investigates the experiences of 5 low-income families in Northern Ireland who moved into new homes built using an innovative building design that dispensed with central heating. The design was able to achieve high standards of energy efficiency through raised standards of insulation, airtightness, and a heat recovery system. This paper gives an account of how families adapted to their new home and novel heating regimes. To do this, the study gathered accounts of household everyday experiences across the first 2 winters; electricity consumption was also tracked fortnightly using data downloads from smart meters. Compared with the average cost of powering a more conventional home in Northern Ireland at that time, energy consumption in the first year was 20% less than in the average newly built gas-fired home, and 34% less than the average oil-fired new build. When followed up after a second winter, the households had achieved improved levels of thermal comfort, whilst reducing their winter energy costs by a further 9%. However, these gains required sustained vigilance and adaptation from the occupants, particularly in the first year.