Abstract
This research examines some of the multiple benefits of a home energy efficiency upgrade programme for social housing tenants. Employing a quasi-experimental approach, we examine a range of objectively measured and self-reported outcomes, including metered gas consumption, for a control and upgrade group, before and after the upgrade. We drew our sample from a large home energy efficiency programme in Ireland, The SEAI Better Energy Communities Scheme, which provides funding for whole communities to upgrade the efficiency of their dwellings. Dwellings were selected for upgrade based on need, allowing us to control for observable dwelling characteristics correlated with selection into the trial. The upgrades undertaken were extensive relative to the average home energy improvement, with many dwellings receiving a number of measures. Households reported improvements across a range of outcomes associated with heating-related deprivation and comfort in the home. We use panel regression models to estimate the elasticity of gas demand with respect to the thermal efficiency of the dwellings. Overall, we find that use of natural gas fell much less than 1:1 for each increment to thermal efficiency of the home. For the average household in this study, about one third of the marginal increase in thermal efficiency was reflected in reduced gas demand. This result highlights issues with standard engineering models which are commonly used to assess the energy efficiency of dwellings and points to a behavioural response from households, potentially taking back some of the savings as increased internal temperatures.
Highlights
Many governments subsidise residential energy efficiency upgrades for vulnerable households
Model 1 is an OLS random effects model that includes a set of socio-demographic characteristics that did not change over the sample period, as well as the energy efficiency proxy variable BERpred, weather and time dummy variables
There is a statistically significant positive association between BERpred, the predicted heating requirement based on the building energy rating, and households’ actual gas use in each billing period
Summary
Many governments subsidise residential energy efficiency upgrades for vulnerable households The objectives motivating these policies include helping reduce carbon emissions from domestic heating, improving public health and assisting segments of the population that suffer from poverty and deprivation. Housing Association received approval from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to undertake home energy improvements in a number of its housing estates throughout Ireland These estates are owned and managed by Respond! Residents were not required to provide any additional funding towards the cost of dwelling upgrades. The SEAI Better Energy Communities Scheme provides funding for community-based home energy efficiency improvements. SEAI co-fund the upgrade with the relevant community group This scheme was launched in 2013, and by 2016 had supported over 12,000 homes, community, private and public buildings in receiving energy efficiency upgrades
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