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Title:
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The influence of behaviour on the effectiveness of more stringent standards
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Author(s):
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Published by:
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Publication date:
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ECN
Policy Studies
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1-6-2005
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ECN report number:
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Document type:
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ECN-RX--05-125
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Article (scientific)
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Number of pages:
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0
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Published in: Energy savings: What works & who delivers?, ECEEE 2005Summer Study. (), , , Vol., p.-.
Abstract:
In order to restrict the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on climatechange, the emissions need to be reduced with 50% in 2030 compared to
1990. In order to meet this target in the built environment, a severe
reduction of energy use is required. Energy saving measures can be implemented
in new as well as in existing dwellings. To determine the effectiveness
of standards for new dwellings, it is important to know whether implementation
of more stringent standards leads to corresponding energy savings. Or
are life style changes needed to further decrease domestic energy consumption?
To answer these questions, the energy consumption of over 200 houses
was measured on a monthly base for one year. The households had to fill
in extensive questionnaires dealing with various kinds of behaviour.
The technical characteristics of the dwellings were obtained through
real estate managers. Finally, the acceptance of advanced technological
options was investigated by means of interviews. It turns out that the
behaviour of the households strongly influences energy consumption.
Nevertheless, the analysis shows that stricter norms do lead to corresponding
energy savings. Therefore it can be concluded that setting stricter
standards for new dwellings is an effective energy conservation measure.
Measurements show that recently built well insulated detached dwellings
use about the same amount of energy as an average existing dwelling.
Because of consumer preferences, there is a tendency to build more detached
houses. This means that the energy saving resulting from more stringent
standards will be partly counteracted by the construction of larger
dwellings.
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