The absence of a conventional heating system – from the perspective of the occupants

Charlotta Isaksson, Linköping University

Keywords

low energy houses, occupier satisfaction, everyday activities, comfort, thermal climate, usage of the heating system

Abstract

This paper presents the occupants' experiences of purchasing and living in low energy terraced houses in an area south of Gothenburg, Sweden. The houses are built with the aim of showing that it is possible to

maintain a good indoor climate in a house that
uses less than half of the energy of ordinary buildings in cold climates.

It is predominantly emissions from household appliances, occupants' body heat and solar irradiation that should heat up the house, but during cold days an integrated heater could be used. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted with 16 out of 19 households and this paper raises issues related to the non-conventional space heating.

Results show that the households questioned are positive towards the low energy profile but it was not the main reason for buying the house. Both the position of the houses and the price were more important. In the early use of the heating system, many proceeded by trial and error, which resulted in an uncomfortable indoor temperature. Apart from that, many are satisfied with the function of the heating system. However, the indoor temperature still fluctuates and the floor on the ground floor level is described as cold, but that does not trouble occupants, since the indoor temperature rises quickly when household appliances and candles are being used. Moreover, the number of members in the household, if they live in a gable or a middle house, and the amount of time they spend at home are determining factors in their opinions of the indoor temperature.