Edinburgh Napier University

  With climate change presenting unprecedented challenges globally, the need for effective, and sustainable, energy transition measures have become increasingly paramount. The domestic sector, whilst responsible for a substantial share of energy consumption, offers multifaceted potential for reducing carbon emissions through technological and behavioural interventions. Advanced heating control technology offers a promising solution to optimize energy usage within domestic, and non-domestic, settings. This study aimed to investigate the impact of advanced heating controls in UK households, aligning the findings with a systematic review of the effectiveness of advanced heating controls over the past decade.
The research involved monitoring thermostat usage in 12 UK households based in the East Midlands, aimed at investigating the effectiveness of heating controls in promoting energy efficiency and sustainable heating practices. These households were equipped with advanced heating control systems, allowing for detailed analysis of thermostat usage patterns, energy consumption, and associated behavioural changes, triangulated with qualitative data from the households. The collected data was compared against the findings from a systematic review encompassing various studies conducted in similar contexts. This research provides valuable insights into the potential of technological and behavioural interventions in achieving sustainable heating practices in domestic environments.
Given the urgent need to address climate change and accelerate the energy transition, the findings from this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and homeowners. These findings highlight the importance of integrating both technological advancements and behavioural change to mitigate adverse effects of climate change and foster a sustainable future.