Energy efficiency refurbishment programmes help, but are the end-users doing their bit?

Winton Smith and Jacky Pett, Association for the Conservation of Energy

Keywords

end-user energy consumption, residential energy efficiency, behaviour analysis, communicating energy efficiency

Abstract

The carbon saved by residential energy efficiency programmes are assumed by policy-makers to achieve best practice results. But what is the reality? Do end-users who diverge from best practice necessarily use their installed systems inefficiently? And how does this dynamic affect the utility end-users derive from their systems?

The Association for the Conservation of Energy conducted an in-depth survey of 150 households in social landlord tenure aimed to address these and related issues. All respondents' homes had been improved through energy efficiency refurbishment programmes. Completed in April 2004, the analysis found that only about one quarter of respondents used their heating systems in an efficient or best practice manner, about half did so in a way that was reasonable given their lifestyles, and the remaining quarter used their systems inefficiently. By analysing these groups in view of household and wider institutional variables, factors were identified that could indicate the extent and nature of support needed to minimise inefficient behaviour.

Diagnostic tools were developed to assist installers and housing managers in determining the extent of energy advice required - based on tenants' current heating system knowledge, and the type of advice required - based on age, employment and other demographics. Consequently recommendations intended to maximise energy savings from refurbishment programmes were made to all major stakeholders; for example, how energy suppliers and their regulator can better tailor policy interventions; how manufacturers can tailor their guidelines and instructions, and how social landlords can support their tenants and ensure installers accommodate end-users' needs and propensities.