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Keyur et al paper sub to Energy Policy Sep13.pdf (347.15 kB)

Measured winter and spring-time indoor temperatures in UK homes over the period 1969-2010: A review and synthesis

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posted on 2014-05-16, 07:59 authored by Keyur Vadodaria, Dennis Loveday, Victoria HainesVictoria Haines
This paper presents a review and synthesis of average winter and spring-time indoor temperatures in UK homes measured over the period 1969-2010. Analysis of measured temperatures in a sample of solid wall dwellings in the UK, conducted as part of the CALEBRE research project, is included. The review suggests that, for periods when occupation was likely, there has been little or no increase in winter and spring-time average living room temperatures over the last 40 years, with average recorded living room temperatures having been historically lower than the WHO-recommended value of 21. °C. Correspondingly, for periods of likely occupation, average bedroom temperatures appear to have increased. Compared with non-domestic buildings, there have been fewer investigations of domestic thermal comfort, either in the UK or elsewhere, and hence the paper also calls for further detailed investigations of domestic indoor temperatures during occupied hours together with thermal comfort evaluations in order to better understand domestic thermal environments. Based on suggestions from the limited range of studies available to date, living room temperatures may need to be maintained within the range 20-22. °C for thermal satisfaction, though this requires confirmation through further research. The study also emphasises that improving the energy efficiency of homes should be the primary means to effect any increases in indoor temperatures that are deemed essential. Considerations for future policy are discussed. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Funding

This work forms part of the CALEBRE Project which is funded by the Research Councils UK Energy Programme and E.ON [grant number EP/G000387/1]

History

School

  • Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering

Citation

VADODARIA, K., LOVEDAY, D.L. and HAINES, V., 2014. Measured winter and spring-time indoor temperatures in UK homes over the period 1969-2010: A review and synthesis. Energy Policy, 64, pp. 252 - 262

Publisher

© Elsevier Ltd.

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publication date

2014

Notes

This article was published in the journal, Energy Policy [© Elsevier] and the definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.07.062

ISSN

0301-4215

Language

  • en

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