Complementing retrofit with engagement: exploring energy consumption with social housing tenants

Abstract

SUMMARYCouncils and social housing organisations are looking to retrofit as a way to make their housing more energy efficient. Previous studies on energy use in social housing have generally focussed on the technological aspects (such as the potential savings possible by retrofitting this class of housing across the UK) or have involved one-off interventions or measures. During a two-year period, we worked with previously homeless people to reduce their energy consumption. The 32 participants lived in small blocks of flats (owned by a social housing organisation) that underwent retrofitting with air source heat pumps. We ran a three-phase tenant engagement programme to compare a range of approaches aimed at energy reduction. It was found that education, social norms, and self-awareness are all key components when it comes to initiating Environmentally Responsible Behaviours. The three approaches complemented each other, and these ought to be considered alongside technology Running head: Complementing retrofit with engagement 2 provision if the aim is to reduce energy consumption. A number of reflections on the implementation of medium-term tenant engagement programmes are also presented.

Implementing User Behaviour on Dynamic Building Simulations for Energy Consumption

“…2, the results for energy consumption for space heating and DHW obtained by the general dynamic building simulation are very much far out form the actual energy consumption obtained by the energy bills. This is very much in accordance to the literature [26]- [29] and expected from treating the building simulations as general parameters taking from Table 3, without considering the user behaviour for the building simulation. More specifically, parameters in relation to the heating set points and use of space heating, as well as the estimation of DHW requirements.…”

“…User behaviour can be assessed and integrated in building simulations and steady state calculations in different ways but some approaches will require more input for data collection than other. Jansson-Boyd et al [29] presented how the user behaviour can be improved to achieve energy reduction and unless this is translated into the building simulations; there will be a wider performance gap. Further links between energy consumption and user behaviour are explore by Shippee [30].…”

Tenants rights and high-rise retrofits: policy considerations for Toronto

“…The feeling of belonging to a group is accompanied by its own set of norms and social customs and is a powerful means of influencing individual behaviour (Jansson-Boyd et al, 2016). Thus, including environmental considerations as part of the tenant engagement strategy may help tenants not only better understand the value of conservation efforts, but also identify as a group, simultaneously reinforcing each others' adoption of more energy conscious behaviour.…”

Tenants rights and high-rise retrofits: policy considerations for Toronto

“…The feeling of belonging to a group is accompanied by its own set of norms and social customs and is a powerful means of influencing individual behaviour (Jansson-Boyd et al, 2016). Thus, including environmental considerations as part of the tenant engagement strategy may help tenants not only better understand the value of conservation efforts, but also identify as a group, simultaneously reinforcing each others' adoption of more energy conscious behaviour.…”