Consumers-and-domestic-heating-controls-a-literature-review

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By combining the various functions of different heating controls and smart meter data in one interface along with remote control and automated features, these technologies also provide the opportunity for improved energy management and increased usability. Advanced control applications have been developed that harness GPS data, from a smart phone, with travel time data to provide remotely and automatically control of a heating system in response to the users lifestyle, for example to ensure the heating is turned on when the user is coming home. The results from a US trial found this could save substantial amounts of energy, albeit in a very small scale trial. 223 Other controls using Wi- Fi technology have been developed that automatically adjust the heating system in response to window opening 224 or can use occupancy sensors to reduce or raise the temperature depending on whether or not a room is being used. 225 The roll-out of smart meters and the uptake of smartphones could act as a catalyst for change in the market for controls, and drive an increase in competition between manufacturers, although it is unclear whether consumer demand will be sufficient to drive the development and reduction of costs of these services to ensure they benefit all consumers, including the most vulnerable. Controls with additional advanced functionality can deliver greater savings but only if instructions are clear and users have the time and understanding to make best use of them. 226 According to Bordass and Leaman, there is a concern that advanced controls will have more features and more ‘intelligence’, but be less intelligible (and thus less useful) to users. 227 It is also important that innovative consumer-focused controls also work effectively ‘behind the scenes’ to maximise the efficiency of boiler operation. 223 Gupta M, Intille S.S. & Larson K, 2009, Adding GPS-control to traditional thermostats: an exploration of potential energy savings and design challenges, Pervasive Computing, lecture notes in computer science, vol. 5538, pp. 95-114. 224 Source: Energy Saving Trust, 2008, Advisor Factsheet November 2008: Heating Controls 225 Ibid. 226 Energy Saving Trust a, 2010, At home with energy: A selection of insights into domestic energy use across the UK. 227 Bill Bordass and Adrian Leaman, 2012, People, environmental control and buildings in use – PART A Improving local control devices: How to please end-users and save energy. Presentation at Reading University 12 January 2012 www.usablebuildings.co.uk Consumers and domestic heating controls - a literature review 34
Driving demand A large number of households do not have a full set of heating controls and, of those that do, many find their controls difficult to use and are likely to not be using their heating systems in the most efficient way. To move us on from the minimum standard set by current regulations, two issues need to be addressed: � how do you incentivise the installation of appropriate heating controls? � once installed, what steps can be taken to ensure that customers use them effectively? Current regulation of heating controls National Building Regulations set certain minimum standards for boilers and heating controls for new buildings and in some cases for renovation of existing buildings. 228 This is covered by Part L of the Regulations, which deals with the energy use of buildings. Central Heating System Specifications (CHeSS), are compiled by Energy Saving Trust, and set out basic and best practice for heating controls, where basic practice is that sufficient to 229 comply with building regulations. The table overleaf outlines the requirements for controls in a new building or when a new boiler is installed. Consequential improvements Following the most recent revision to Part L of the regulations certain ‘consequential improvements’ are required to the entire property when improvements are carried out on buildings over 1000m 2 . This includes upgrading heating systems over 15 years old or provision of new controls. A government consultation in spring 2012 proposed extending consequential improvements to all buildings. 230 Instruction Current building regulations require, for works on both new and existing buildings, installers to explain to the occupier how to operate their heating system effectively, including how to make adjustments to the timing and temperature control settings. 231 228 Department of Communities and Local Government, 2008, Domestic Heating Compliance Guide, 2 nd Edition [ http://bit.ly/NGDNz8]. Also note Under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive member states must set energy performance requirements for ‘technical building systems’, which includes heating systems. 229 Energy Saving Trust, 2008, CE51: Central heating system specifications (CHeSS) Year 2008, http://bit.ly/Ou2lKU Best practice means the adoption of products and technologies that are already established in the market, cost effective, and able to save energy without incurring undue risks: this evolves with emerging technological development. 230 DCLG, 2012, 2012 consultation on changes to the Building Regulations in England – Section Two. 231 DCLG, 2010, Approved Document L1A: Conservation of fuel and power (New dwellings) (2010 edition incorporating further 2010 amendments http://bit.ly/NGEjNG and DCLG, 2011, Consumers and domestic heating controls - a literature review 35
Page 1 and 2: Consumers and domestic heating cont
Page 3 and 4: Contents Executive summary 4 Introd
Page 5 and 6: Introduction Domestic heating contr
Page 7 and 8: Self-declared behaviour, as in surv
Page 9 and 10: Inclusivity of control design Resea
Page 11 and 12: The qualitative research 40 highlig
Page 13 and 14: Information and instruction A lack
Page 15 and 16: This sentiment was echoed by a resi
Page 17 and 18: Because of hassle factor and upfron
Page 19 and 20: Conversations with installers sugge
Page 21 and 22: However, these dynamics are unlikel
Page 23 and 24: The Energy Saving Trust figures ind
Page 25 and 26: The Department of Trade and Industr
Page 27 and 28: The costs of controls can vary acco
Page 29 and 30: Comparison of estimated financial s
Page 31 and 32: Integrated control approaches for l
Page 33: Estimates of the impact of feedback
Page 37 and 38: Warm Front the UK state-funded fuel
Page 39 and 40: To meet the different needs of cons
Page 41 and 42: Conclusions Consumers find heating
Page 43 and 44: Standard Assessment Procedure To en
Page 45 and 46: Public procurement Public authoriti
Page 47 and 48: Annex One: Types of control Gas cen

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