Effectiveness and impacts of community-based action on household energy reduction (3-157-15)
Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brookes University, United KingdomLaura Barnfield, United Kingdom
Matt Gregg, United Kingdom
This is a peer-reviewed paper.
Keywords
energy behaviour, energy demand, local activities, household consumption, low carbon communitiesAbstract
This paper investigates the effectiveness and impacts of community-led home energy improvements (physical and behavioural) on reducing household energy use within six government-funded low carbon communities (LCCs) in UK, as part of a multi-disciplinary research project. A graduated mixed-methods monitoring and evaluation approach is used including: assessment of aggregated and longitudinal domestic energy data (1,000-5,000 households per community over five years), carbon mapping of approximately 1,800 households before and after community action, longitudinal gas and electricity data of 88 households over 5 years, qualitative surveys and interviews with 88 households; and thermal imaging and physical monitoring of 60 selected dwellings (of the 88 households).
Whilst the aggregated longitudinal energy data and carbon mapping enable an examination of the effectiveness of community-based action, the in-depth case studies provide evidence on the wider impacts of home energy improvements and highlight the complexities and limitations of community energy projects in reducing energy use, and sustaining pro-environmental behaviours. Analysis of long term energy use (2008-2012) shows that there is an overall energy reduction trend in these communities, with gas use decreasing significantly in communities where a primary focus was on demand reduction, through physical measures combined with energy management workshops. Interestingly LCCs with a focus on electricity generation (solar PVs) have also seen a higher than national average reduction in electricity use. Yet the household level occupant interviews highlight that whilst the majority are sustaining positive energy behaviours, influential and dominating factors such as cost, lifestyle, health and comfort can impede further change, particularly in relation to one-off purchasing behaviours and heating-related habitual behaviours. Despite this, the LCCs appear to play an important role in increasing individual agency, dispelling myths and mixed messages surrounding ‘new’ technologies, and providing much needed space for dialogue around demand reduction and local energy generation.
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Panels of the eceee 2015 Summer Study on energy efficiency:
Panel 1. Foundations of future energy policy
Panel 2. Energy efficiency policies – how do we get it right?
Panel 4. Mobility, transport, and smart and sustainable cities
Panel 5. Energy use in buildings: projects, technologies and innovation
Panel 6. Policies and programmes towards a zero-energy building stock
Panel 7. Appliances, product policy and the ICT supply chain
Panel 8. Monitoring and evaluation: building confidence and enhancing practices
Panel 9. Dynamics of consumption
