Main drivers for heating use

Occupants’ use of their heating system can be driven by various factors and this study aimed at identifying those which influenced the sample in how they used their heating system. Participants were asked what their main priority was when it came to heating their homes and often their answers were probed further by the interviewer to delve deeper into the reasons behind using their heating system a specific way.

4.5.4.1 Comfort

Unsurprisingly the overriding factor which was identified to influence heating use within homes most was the occupants’ desire for comfort. Within the sample 83%

identified it to be their main priority. Many participants stated that they would hate to feel uncomfortable in their own home and touched on the psychological feeling of being able to live in a warm and comfortable environment and not wanting to see their own home as somewhere which is cold. It did become apparent that even with the participants in agreement that comfort is a main priority, the level at which people feel comfortable in their own homes varies greatly. Some participants stated they knew their level of comfort was high and even realised that they were probably going slightly overboard with their heating use, however this was also matched by participants stating that they viewed their level of comfort to be below that of “most people”. This comparison by participants to other people or what is considered a social norm is an interesting concept as people most likely base these assumptions on their past experiences. So they could be surrounded by friends and family that like to have very warm homes or work in offices which are overheated due to poor building energy management. Similarly those who stated a high comfort setting may have past experiences of colder environments. Ultimately everyone’s perceived level of comfort will vary greatly

144 and may not just be down to the physical attributes of that person, be that weight, gender, age or activity levels but could be influenced by what thermal experiences they have had/grown accustom to.

“I have no idea how much we spend so it’s not really cost as it is mainly my comfort.

I’d rather spend money on heating and rather do without other things than be cold.”

(Participant P5, Female, Aged 62)

“I am one of those people who likes to feel warm and I am fortunate enough to afford the cost of the energy, so I probably tend to overheat the house rather than

heat particularly you know to improve the temperature” (Participant P27, Male, Aged 58)

“I refuse to be cold in my home…I need to be comfortable in my own home, that is all I ask really.” (Participant P4, Female, Aged 86)

4.5.4.2 Cost

Alongside comfort, cost was another main factor affecting how participants would heat their homes and a couple of participants stated that it was often a balance between comfort and cost, with some even suggesting it was a 50/50 balance.

Although the majority of the participants stated that cost wasn’t an overriding factor as they could comfortably afford the energy currently, numerous participants did state that should energy prices continue to rise then cost would certainly

become more of an impact on how they would heat their homes.

“Comfort and cost are probably equal priorities as I think I have probably adapted my comfort levels to what I can afford” (Participant P10, Female, Aged 35) One participant also stated that her husband had recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and felt that as that progressed and he became less mobile then cost would need to be factored into how they used their heating, mentioning that they may just be more frugal with something else as heating would still be a priority to them. Within the sample there was one participant whose heating use was directly influenced by cost alone and the participant described herself as being

145 too scared to have the heating on due to the fear of receiving a bill which she could not afford to pay. This meant that the participant reported that she would only put the central heating on for a very short period of time each morning which was done as a precaution so that the system didn’t break or pipes did not freeze in winter.

The participant believed that the only way for her to afford to heat her home was to heat each room as it was used through secondary heating sources, however stated she would keep this to a minimum by adopting adaptive methods such as putting extra layers on or using blankets as a first resort before switching a heater on.

“In terms of not having it (heating) on during the day then yes that is cost”

(Participant P15, Female, Aged 48)

Within the sample, 23% rented the property and within them three participants had the heating bills included within the rent which presented a different dynamic in relation to occupants’ attitudes towards heating use. Typically all-inclusive rent is seen to mean that the occupant will not care about how much energy/heating they are using as they are not the ones paying the energy bill directly and therefore can often be considered to be wasteful of energy. However within the interviews an opposite view was found, with those concerned being careful regarding their energy use within the property to protect the rental price they currently pay.

“I am conscious of trying to minimise the bill for my landlady so it doesn’t impact her too much” (Participant P20, Male, Aged 32)

However, this could be biased due to those interested in participating within the study were most likely to be energy conscious and therefore might not be representative of all those paying an all-inclusive rent.

4.5.4.3 Energy savings

One third of the participants interviewed mentioned being driven by the desire or preference to save energy and to not be wasteful in their use of heating within their homes. Often these participants mentioned that cost was not a driving factor and

146 they saw comfort as their main priority. However they did not want to be seen or feel to be wasteful of the energy they used to heat their homes. Often these participants went on to list various energy saving actions not relating to heating directly but showing their desire to reduce their overall whole household energy use.

“It doesn't have to be hot all the time so I try and minimise that…for an environmental perspective” (Participant P20, Male, Aged 32)

“Why would I spend the money if I don't need to and why would I behave that unsustainably if I don't need to?” (Participant P18, Female, Aged 54)

“I don't want to spend money needlessly…I think we are quite conscious about trying to save energy here and there” (Participant P6, Female, Aged 59)

4.5.4.4 Health reasons

One driver of heating use which is out with participants’ control is the need for heating due to health issues relating to one of the household occupants. One participant reported that due to their late wife they often used to have the heating still running throughout the summer to ensure she was comfortable and prevent further illness. Another participant reported being disabled and therefore only occupied two rooms other than her bedroom. Therefore only these rooms were heated to her requirements but she did have access to the heating controls should she need to change any settings. A further participant, although healthy, reported health being a concern when heating her property as they were aware of the health implications that living in a damp property could cause and therefore, to reduce the risk of falling ill due to damp, ensured that the whole property was heated to an adequate level. However it was not just the health of adults that was reported as being a driver towards how the heating system was used but also mentioned was ensuring that a baby was in a warm environment. Babies and young children were often reported as the cause of changing heating behaviours within the sample to ensure that they don’t fall ill at such a young age from being in a cold environment.

147 4.5.4.5 Clothing levels and expectations

As previously mentioned comfort often drives occupants to heat their homes a specific way and as such influences their heating use. However, occupants’ levels of comfort may also be influenced by their desired clothing level and/or their comfort expectations. Within the study there were both those who expected to be able to wander around their own homes in shorts and t-shirts and others who thought that that was a bit wasteful and expected those within their household to know to put on a jumper or additional layers when cold. The need to wear shorts and t-shirts by one occupant was a direct influence in a difference of comfort expectations/activity levels between household members. Therefore it was seen as more of a

compromise so that the occupant who felt the cold more could be comfortable within the home. These quotes illustrate the scope of attitudes:

“I don't like wearing heavy clothes at my house, even during the winter I prefer to sit in shorts” (Participant P25, Male, Aged 27)

“I live at a level that is not uncomfortable, just enough to be comfortable enough to be in one layer but not wasteful” (Participant P22, Male, Aged 39)

“I’m not one of those people who feels like they need to walk around wearing a t-shirt” (Participant P18, Female, Aged 54)

4.5.4.6 Additional uses

Use of the heating system in homes for reasons besides providing warmth also became apparent as potential influences on the use of heating systems. The most common example mentioned during the interviews was the use of the heating system to help with drying clothes. Although the majority of those who mentioned this stated they would never put the heating on solely to dry clothes and would rather utilise the heating whilst it was already programmed to be on, however four participants did mention that they may switch the heating system on briefly for this depending on the weather or how urgently the clothes were needed. One

participant on a prepayment meter also mentioned how they would prioritise being

148 able to have a hot shower in the morning instead of putting the heating on

depending on the amount of money left on the gas meter.

4.5.4.7 Advice given

The last remaining identified driver for heating use in homes was the advice which occupants had been given for recommended heating or general energy use in homes. One occupant reported hearing advice on the radio regarding how it was more energy efficient to use heating systems on a demand only basis. The participant reported that he felt this advice went against the previous advice of using a timer to control the heating and that in general there is a lot of

contradicting advice. The availability and the source of information regarding how to correctly use heating systems within homes may have a big impact on how occupants’ heat their homes. People may follow advice they are given as being the best or most efficient way to heat their home, without questioning the facts.

Advice could be used to save heating energy within the domestic sector, however it needs to be accurate and from a source which occupants would trust. Regardless if it is accurate and trustworthy there is still the risk it may not be as effective as it could be due to the volume of conflicting advice already confusing consumers, therefore any new advice may need to debunk current assumptions and provide clear and easy to understand advice.