Work

The role of behavior on variation in domestic space heating demand in similar dwellings: What does it mean for the payback period of re-insulation?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Reducing domestic space heating demand is vital for meeting climate targets. Despite mature technologies and subsidies, re-insulation of the existing housing stock remains slow. This research quantifies the impact of occupant behavior on space heating demand and its economic implications for re-insulation. Using the Trnsys model, the heat demand of the case apartment was calculated and verified using monitoring data. The behavior was simulated for a well- and poorly-insulated apartment, and the payback time (PBT) for energy efficiency investments was assessed under different behavioral scenarios. Results reveal that occupant behavior can cause heat demand variation differing a factor 4.8 between high- and low-impact behavioral scenarios for a fixed building type, size, and insulation level. Key factors include partial heating practices and preferred indoor temperatures. Adjusting indoor temperatures during holidays and work hours has a larger impact on poorly insulated apartments. PBT variations for upgrading from label B to A range between 12 and 56 years, with the longer PBT observed for more energy-conscious behavior. In poorly insulated apartments, PBT varies between 6 and 29 years for upgrades from F to B and 11–56 years for F to D. This study highlights two key policy implications: 1) Accounting for occupant behavior is essential to avoid overestimating the energy savings and financial benefits of re-insulation. 2) While re-insulation may be profitable for average households, it may not be for those with below-average heating demand. Alongside market failures, this behavioral variation helps explain the slow adoption of re-insulation measures. • Impacts of occupant behavior on heating demand and economics of insulation measures. • Occupant behavior causes a heat demand variation with a factor of almost five. • Key factors include partial heating practices and preferred indoor temperatures. • Behavioral variation helps explain the adoption rate of re-insulation measures.

Source: Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138013

Authors: Wen Liu, Robert Harmsen, Tianrun Yang, Gert Jan Kramer

Institutions: Utrecht University, Shandong University

Language: English

Topic: Building Energy and Comfort Optimization

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260