Profiling Space Heating Behavior in Chilean Social Housing: Towards Personalization of Energy Efficiency Measures

Victor Bunster,Masa Noguchi

doi:10.3390/su7067973

Abstract

Global increases in the demand for energy are imposing strong pressures over the environment while compromising the capacity of emerging economies to achieve sustainable development. In this context, implementation of effective strategies to reduce consumption in residential buildings has become a priority concern for policy makers as minor changes at the household scale can result in major energy savings. This study aims to contribute to ongoing research on energy consumer profiling by exploring the forecasting capabilities of discrete socio-economic factors that are accessible through social housing allocation systems. Accordingly, survey data gathered by the Chilean Ministry of Social Development was used identify key characteristics that may predict firewood usage for space heating purposes among potential beneficiaries of the Chilean social housing program. The analyzed data evidences strong correlations between general household characteristics and space heating behavior in certain climatic zones, suggesting that personalized delivery of energy efficiency measures can potentially increase the effectiveness of initiatives aimed towards the reduction of current patterns of consumption.

Highlights

Energy efficiency has become a priority concern for both developing and developed nations.Current patterns of energy consumption can have strongly negative social, economic and environmental impacts; the need for policies to further promote a transformation of the way in which natural resources are been harvested, distributed and consumed [1]
This study explores an alternative approach to energy consumption profiling aimed to inform personalized energy efficiency measures under such technologically lagging conditions
In order to explore similarities and differences between groups, this population was divided into quintiles. These comparative analyses enabled identification of key features of the Solidary Fund of Housing Choice (SFHC) group that were later used to guide the definition of household consumption profiles aimed to inform personalised delivery of energy efficiency measures

Summary

Introduction

Current patterns of energy consumption can have strongly negative social, economic and environmental impacts; the need for policies to further promote a transformation of the way in which natural resources are been harvested, distributed and consumed [1] In this context, a significant amount of energy is being used in the operation of residential buildings. Lack of a clear strategic plan for sustainable development of the energy sector has resulted in a high dependence on imported fossil fuels that maintains the country in a position of high vulnerability [10] In this context, the Chilean Government has progressively introduced programs and institutions to deal with the current consumption rates whilst promoting efficient use of the available resources

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Conclusion