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

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  • Vadodaria, K.
  • Loveday, D.L.
  • Haines, V.

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Vadodaria, K. & Loveday, D.L. & Haines, V., 2014. "Measured winter and spring-time indoor temperatures in UK homes over the period 1969–2010: A review and synthesis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 252-262.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:64:y:2014:i:c:p:252-262
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.07.062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yohanis, Yigzaw Goshu & Mondol, Jayanta Deb, 2010. "Annual variations of temperature in a sample of UK dwellings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 681-690, February.
    2. Milne, Geoffrey & Boardman, Brenda, 2000. "Making cold homes warmer: the effect of energy efficiency improvements in low-income homes A report to the Energy Action Grants Agency Charitable Trust," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(6-7), pages 411-424, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hughes, Caroline & Natarajan, Sukumar & Liu, Chunde & Chung, Woong June & Herrera, Manuel, 2019. "Winter thermal comfort and health in the elderly," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    2. Yan Ning & Jiaojiao Chen, 2016. "Improving Residential Satisfaction of University Dormitories through Post-Occupancy Evaluation in China: A Socio-Technical System Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Domenig, Christoph & Scheller, Fabian & Gunkel, Phillipp Andreas & Hermann, Julian & Bergaentzlé, Claire-Marie & Lopes, Marta A.R. & Barnes, Jake & McKenna, Russell, 2024. "Overcoming the landlord–tenant dilemma: A techno-economic assessment of collective self-consumption for European multi-family buildings," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    4. Singh, Manoj Kumar & Attia, Shady & Mahapatra, Sadhan & Teller, Jacques, 2016. "Assessment of thermal comfort in existing pre-1945 residential building stock," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 122-134.

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