The impact of energy awareness on energy efficiency

Figures & data

Figure 1 Graph showing the increase in the Earth's average global temperature in relation to the carbon dioxide emissions (Energy Information Administration, 2007a, Available from: www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/data/temperature).

Figure 2 Chart showing the annual production of fossil fuels including the estimated future values (Available from: www.after-oil.co.uk [Accessed November 2006]). (Figure available in colour online).

Figure 3 Average US gas and electricity prices between 1974 and 2007 (Energy Information Administration 2007a).

Figure 4 Predicted world marketed energy use by energy type between 1980 and 2030 (Available from: www.after-oil.co.uk [Accessed November 2006]). (Figure available in colour online).

Figure 5 Energy efficiency model. This shows the interaction between all the factors that affect an individual's energy efficiency.

Figure 6 Modified energy efficiency model. This shows energy efficiency being effected equally by the occupants' real time activities and the physical characteristics of the building.

Figure 7 Chart showing the believed effectiveness of environmental awareness techniques (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001).

Table 1 Average temperature during the trial period taken between 1959 and 2006 from Sutton met station (Available from: www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/index.html [Accessed February 2007]).

	Average maximum temperature (°C)	Average minimum temperature (°C)	Average temperature (°C)
February	8.37	2.05	5.21
March	10.38	3.06	6.72
April	13.15	4.43	8.79

Figure 8 Gas consumed shown on average per day for each week. (Figure available in colour online).

Figure 9 Electricity consumed shown on average per day for each week. (Figure available in colour online).

Figure 10 Average temperature throughout the trial. (Figure available in colour online).

Table 2 Average gas consumption before and after the incentive.

	Gas (kWh/day)
House	Before	After	Reduction (%)
A	76.16	70.87	6.95
B	81.23	57.01	29.82
C	65.46	67.16	− 2.61
D	87.88	82.25	6.41
E	101.25	105.47	− 4.17
F	71.54	57.38	19.79
G	59.91	54.62	8.83
H	30.10	23.49	21.98
Total	573.54	518.26	9.64

Table 3 Average electricity consumption before and after the incentive.

	Electricity (kWh/day)
House	Before	After	Reduction (%)
A	10.49	10.29	1.88
B	17.97	12.76	28.99
C	66.29	19.23	70.99
D	24.11	21.64	10.26
E	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.
F	25.38	24.33	4.13
G	22.07	6.86	68.93
H	15.65	16.18	− 3.38
Total	181.95	111.29	38.84

Figure 11 Total gas consumed in all houses and external temperature.

Table 4 Comparison of weeks 3 and 4.

	Gas (kWh/day)
House	Before	After	Reduction (%)
A	83.17	61.26	26.34
B	99.71	51.42	48.43
C	26.83	66.51	− 147.92
D	87.64	92.51	− 5.56
E	88.76	89.24	− 0.54
F	67.07	62.60	6.67
G	67.01	54.62	18.48
H	26.34	15.31	41.89
Total	546.53	493.47	9.71

Figure 12 Extrapolated temperature and gas consumption.

Figure 13 Total gas and electricity consumed for all houses. (Figure available in colour online).

Table 5 Total energy savings.

	Before	After	Total savings (kWh)	Percentage saving (%)
Gas (kWh/day)	573.54	497.83	1059.89	13.2
Electricity (kWh/day)	181.95	111.29	989.29	38.84
Total	755.49	609.12	2049.19	19.37

Table 6 Total financial savings.

House	Gas savings (£)	Gas (temperature adjusted) savings (£)	Electricity savings (£)	Total savings (£)
A	2.22	2.91	0.29	3.20
B	10.17	13.33	7.66	20.99
C	− 0.72	− 0.55	69.17	68.62
D	2.36	3.10	3.64	6.74
E	− 1.77	− 1.35	n.a.	− 1.34
F	5.95	7.79	1.54	9.33
G	2.22	2.91	22.36	25.27
H	2.78	3.64	− 0.78	2.86
Total	23.22	31.80	103.88	135.68

Figure 14 The participants perceived energy reduction during and post trial.

Figure 15 The energy awareness influencing factors.

Table 7 Questionnaire question ranking.

	Energy awareness	Energy efficiency
Perceived energy awareness	70	5
TV on standby	0	25
Computer	0	30
Chargers	0	10
Light bulb	0	5
Energy knowledge	30	5
Perceived pro-activeness	0	20

Figure 16 Chart showing the average energy awareness and efficiency of the student population and the trial.

Energy Information Administration. Available from: www.eia.doe.gov [Accessed April 2007a]

 Google Scholar

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change . 2001 . Climate Change The Scientific Basis .

 Google Scholar