ANNUAL COLLOQUIUM 2013

Heating controls and influences on householders’ space heating behaviour – do old habits die hard?

Ashley Morton

2nd Year PhD Researcher, Loughborough University21 November 2013

Supervisors:Victoria Haines David AllinsonHead of User Centred Design Research Group Senior Research Associate in Building EnergyV.J.Haines@lboro.ac.uk D.Allinson@lboro.ac.uk

Research Background• Projections of the 2050 housing stock show two thirds are

existing dwellings (ECI, 2005)• Average house has Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

grade of E (DECC, 2012)• The Government launched the Green Deal and Energy

Company Obligation (ECO) to help target properties needing energy efficiency measures

Environmental Change Institute (ECI), Boardman, B., Darby, S., Killip, G., Hinnells, M., Jardine, C., Palmer, S., Sinden, G., et al., 2005, 40% House, University of OxfordDepartment of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), 2012, Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) 2012 – Chapter 1 EnergyDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI), Energy Consumption in the United Kingdom

Areas for Green Deal Measures

Examples of Energy efficiency

improvements

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

Condensing boilers; heating controls; under floor heating; heat recovery systems; mechanical ventilation; flue gas recovery devices

PhD Aim and Objectives

To compare the evolution of householders’ space heating behaviour resulting from installation of different control technologies and how

these new controls affects energy demand within households

Understanding existing heating practices of households and comparing heating practices with new controls

Analyse the relationships between household characteristics with heating system use, in particular any difference between the three new controls

Investigating occupant issues surrounding changing heating system controls to the digital controls – do old habits die hard regardless of technology

Uncover the main drivers behind heating system use and the impact they have on the thermal environment

Data collection

Qualitative methods

Quantitative measurements

• Gas consumption• Electricity consumption• Indoor temperature in all

rooms• Outdoor temperature• Thermostat set-points• House measurements• SAP assessment

Initial interview

before installation

Second interview

when controls changed

Final interview

Whole house activity

Questionnaire

Energy diaries