University of Sussex
Browse
Manuscript-R2-25092020_MM_BKS.pdf (1.04 MB)

Testing smarter control and feedback with users: time, temperature and space in household heating preferences and practices in a Living Laboratory

Download (1.04 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 21:51 authored by Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin Sovacool, Jody Osborn, Mari MartiskainenMari Martiskainen, Matthew Lipson
Transitioning to more efficient and less carbon-intensive heating is a monumental policy challenge in the United Kingdom. However, very few households in the UK—and perhaps even elsewhere—have actual experience with state-of-the-art smart heating systems that may utilize enhanced control or feedback. Drawing from a unique sample of actual adopters of smart heating, this study closely examines the heating preferences, practices, and profiles of homes when they are given smarter heating systems. The study utilizes qualitative household data from the Energy System Catapult’s Living Laboratory of 100 smart homes in Birmingham (West Midlands), Bridgend (Wales), Manchester (Greater Manchester), and Newcastle (Northumberland). We examine the heating preferences and profiles of participants, with findings inductively organized around the themes of temperature, including tradeoffs between comfort, cost, and value; time, including the utility of heat scheduling; and space, including zonal heating controls. We also discuss patterns of learning, the emergence of environmental values, and issues of discomfort. We conclude by commenting on important distinctions between radiant and ambient heat, as well as between scheduled and on-demand heat. The main findings are 1) tradeoffs between comfort, value and cost occur when it comes to smart heating; 2) people want different numbers of warm hours in their homes at very different times; 3) households chose to heat different numbers of rooms; and 4) there are other non-monetary and non-functional aspects of smart heating that households value.

Funding

UK Centre for Research on Energy Demand; G2424; EPSRC-ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; EP/R035288/1

SWS Heat - Developing the next generation technologies of renewable electricity and heating/cooling; G2475; EUROPEAN UNION; 764025

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Global Environmental Change

ISSN

0959-3780

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

65

Article number

a102185

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-10-12

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-10-14

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-10-12

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC