Significance Statement
Dr. Rory Jones from Plymouth University and Professor Kevin Lomas from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom analyzed factors contributing to the high demand of electrical energy in UK homes. Their study was published in Energy and Buildings.
UK homes witnessed an annual 1% increase in electricity consumption since 1970. The electricity consumption for appliance use has increased 211% from 1970 to 2011, leading to a 3% annual growth rate. The study pointed out that the increase in ownership of appliances and increased use of appliances led to the higher demand of electrical energy.
The researchers are aware of the government intention to address energy conservation by putting policies in place to reduce the consumption of electrical energy. Looking at this issue, there is a need to identify the main reasons for the increase in electricity demand.
Data in this study were obtained during a 2009-2010 survey in Leicester, UK. The annual electricity consumption consumptions for the 315 homes studied were obtained from a combination of meter readings and energy bills provided by the household’s energy supplier.
For the 315 homes for which the annual electricity consumption was available, researchers divided the households into three equal groups, comprising 105 homes each. The groups represented low (less than 2544kWh), middle (2544kWh to 4041kWh) and high (over 4041kWh) electrical energy users.
To understand the effect of appliance ownership and use on households having a high electrical energy demand, the low and medium consumption groups were merged for analysis purposes. The data was examined using the Odd Ratio OR method of analysis. The analysis made it clear that the greater the number of appliances owned, the more the demand for the use of electricity. A household with more than 30 appliances was significantly more likely to be a high electrical energy consumer. The OR results also indicate households with 2 or more desktop computers and more than 3 home or mobile telephones are more likely to be high electrical energy users.
Jones and Lomas also identify that households with 3 or more TVs, in particular households with a main plasma screen TV or one which is greater than 40 inches, are more likely to be high electricity consumers. Owning appliances such as a tumble dryer, dishwasher, electric shower or more than 2 cold appliances contribute to a higher total household electricity use. Households which cook using electricity, electric ovens, hobs, and range cookers, are also more likely to be high electricity consumers..
There are several limitations of the research undertaken, including the fact that households may fail to disclose necessary information to the research team.
This study was able to pinpoint the ownership and use of appliances as the major cause of high demand for electrical energy. It provides guides that could help households to cut their high electricity demand. The authors suggested focusing on improvements to the energy efficiency of appliances which are contributors to a high overall electrical energy use.
Journal Reference
Rory V. Jones1 , Kevin J. Lomas2, Determinants of high electrical energy demand in UK homes: Appliance ownership and use. Energy and Buildings, Volume 117, 2016, Pages 71–82.
[expand title=”Show Affiliations”]- Building Performance Analysis Group, School of Architecture, Design and Environment, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK.
- Building Energy Research Group, School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK.
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