Researchers at CEE have been studying the real impact of energy efficiency retrofits on energy demand using large datasets and detailed surveys
Overview
The analysis has covered over 20 million dwellings by using sources such as the National Energy Efficiency Data-framework (NEED) and the Homes Energy Efficiency Database (HEED).
Using epidemiological study methods, we have studied how energy use changes following a retrofit and how household characteristics and dwelling features affect the change.
Key findings
- Popular retrofits save 5-25% of gas energy use;
- Biggest savings are from cavity wall insulation (10%) and new condensing boilers (15%);
- Households in low-income areas tend to save proportionally less than higher income areas;
- Energy efficiency programmes do save energy but require careful attention to installation.
Research Lead
Outputs
- Energy efficiency uptake and energy savings in English houses: A cohort study – Ian G. Hamilton, Alex J. Summerfield , David Shipworth , J. Philip Steadman , Tadj Oreszczyn , Robert J. Lowe – Energy and Buildings Volume 118, 15 April 2016, Pages 259–276
- Balancing theory with practice: studying the rebound effect – Ian G. Hamilton – Building Research & Information Volume 44, 2016 – Issue 8
- Co-benefits of Energy and Buildings Data: The Case For supporting Data Access to Achieve a Sustainable Built Environment – Ian Hamilton, Tadj Oreszczyn, Alex Summerfield, Phil Steadman, Simon Elam, Andrew Smith – Procedia Engineering Volume 118, 2015, Pages 958-968
- Comparison of empirical and modelled energy performance across age-bands of three-bedroom dwellings in the UK A.J. Summerfield, T. Oreszczyn, J. Palmer, I.G. Hamilton, R.J. Lowe – Energy and Buildings Volume 109, 15 December 2015, Pages 328–333
- Valuing Energy Performance in Home Purchasing: An Analysis of Mortgage Lending for Sustainable Buildings, Ian Hamilton, Gesche Huebner, Richard Griffiths – Procedia Engineering Volume 145, 2016, Pages 319–326
- Don’t be late! Findings from reported perceptions and complaints of energy efficiency retrofits in low-income housing in England – Ian Hamilton, Paolo Agnolucci, Tadj Oreszczyn – 2016 International Energy Policies & Programmes Evaluation Conference, Amsterdam