To prevent global warming, saving energy in houses is indispensable. In the construction of residential buildings, to reduce energy consumption, strong insulation and energy-saving measures have been promoted. However, in general housing and in high-performance houses, energy consumption can differ greatly depending on residents' lifestyles. To promote energy saving in houses, it is important to improve the energy-saving consciousness of residents and to promote energy-saving behaviors.
In this study, by targeting high-performance houses that use natural energy with thermal insulation performance equivalent to the HEAT 20 G1 level, we clarified the actual state of residents' energy-saving consciousness and energy consumption. In addition, we clarified the changes in residents' energy-saving consciousness and behavior upon exposure to information about saving energy. Furthermore, we examined the information that leads to improvements in energy-saving consciousness.
The major findings are as follows:
·Even in high-performance houses, energy consumption differs by more than three times depending on lifestyle, and its breakdown is diverse as well. Therefore, energy-saving behaviors are effective even in high-performance houses.
·Among residents of high-performance houses, the priority of consciousness is often “comfort is No. 1, economy is No. 2.” They want to reduce utility costs to the extent possible but tend not to implement energy-saving behaviors that reduce comfort.
·By recognizing the difference in energy consumption due to the use of heating equipment, the heating equipment in two houses was changed, and as a result, the energy consumption of these houses was reduced greatly.
·By providing information, in the second year, the usage of solar thermal systems changed according to the residents' individual lifestyles.
·If a resident voluntarily devises energy-saving behaviors, the satisfaction level of the thermal environment increases, and endogenous motivation for energy-saving behaviors is expected to increase as well.
·The residents' sense for energy cost changes with the passage of time; therefore, we believe there is a possibility of further energy saving.
·Information on the effects of saving energy is easier for people to accept if it indicates energy cost.
·Comparative information about other houses of the same level is effective for promoting energy-saving consciousness.
·It is possible that the frequency of checking parameters such energy consumption and power generation may increase if such information is displayed on the operation panels of water heaters, air conditioners, and other such devices.
·In high-performance houses, it is necessary to carefully explain how to utilize housing systems and facilities to live comfortably while reducing energy consumption.
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