ANNUAL COLLOQUIUM 2013 Heating controls and influences on householders’ space heating behaviour – do old habits die hard? Ashley Morton 2 nd Year PhD Researcher, Loughborough University 21 November 2013 Supervisors: Victoria HainesDavid Allinson Head of User Centred Design Research GroupSenior Research Associate in Building Energy

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 Oxford Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), 2012, Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) 2012 – Chapter 1 Energy Department 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