The socio-economic, dwelling and appliance related factors affecting electricity consumption in domestic buildings

Rory V Jones,Alba Fuertes,Kevin J Lomas

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.084

Rory V Jones, Alba Fuertes + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.084

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Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the socio-economic, dwelling and appliance related factors that have significant or non-significant effects on domestic electricity consumption. To achieve this aim, a comprehensive literature review of international research investigating these factors was undertaken. Although papers examining the factors affecting electricity demand are numerous, to the authors’ knowledge, a comprehensive analysis taking stock of all previous findings has not previously been undertaken. The review establishes that no less than 62 factors potentially have an effect on domestic electricity use. This includes 13 socio-economic factors, 12 dwelling factors and 37 appliance factors. Of the 62 factors, four of the socio-economic factors, seven of the dwelling factors, and nine of the appliance related factors were found to unambiguously have a significant positive effect on electricity use. This paper contributes to a better understanding of those factors that certainly affect electricity consumption and those for which effects are unclear and require further research. Understanding the effects of factors can support both the implementation of effective energy policy and aid prediction of future electricity consumption in the domestic sector.

Highlights

Policy-makers have realised that without significant reductions in the electricity demand, and significant increases in the energy efficiency of the domestic sector, it will be impossible to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and mitigate the risks of global climate change [1,2]
This paper addresses the effects of factors at the household level only, including socioeconomic factors, which refer to the characteristics of the occupants residing in a home; dwelling factors, which describe the characteristics of the dwelling; and appliance factors, which are the ownership level, power demand and use of electrical appliances in the home
The number of existing studies on each factor varies, the review suggests that more occupants, the presence of teenagers, and increased household income and disposable income lead to a significant increase in residential electricity consumption

Summary

Introduction

Policy-makers have realised that without significant reductions in the electricity demand, and significant increases in the energy efficiency of the domestic sector, it will be impossible to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and mitigate the risks of global climate change [1,2]. To support informed decisions about how to reduce electricity use and CO2 emissions from the housing sector, it is essential to know which factors influence domestic electricity consumption. Electricity use in domestic buildings results from occupants’ need for energy services, such as light, comfort and entertainment, but the energy used results from a complex series of interlinked and interacting socio-economic, dwelling and appliance related factors. This paper presents a literature review of the existing research investigating the socio-economic, dwelling and appliance related factors that affect domestic electricity consumption. This paper addresses the effects of factors at the household level only (i.e. at the individual household scale), including socioeconomic factors, which refer to the characteristics of the occupants residing in a home (e.g. number of occupants, presence of children, annual household income); dwelling factors, which describe the characteristics of the dwelling (e.g. dwelling type, number of bedrooms, heating system type); and appliance factors, which are the ownership level, power demand and use of electrical appliances in the home

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