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Investigation of Indoor Thermal Environment and Heat-Using Behavior for Heat-Metering Households in Northern China

Author

Listed:
  • Xiu’e Yang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Tangshan University, Tangshan 063000, China)

  • Wenjie Ji

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Chunhui Wang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Tangshan University, Tangshan 063000, China)

  • Haidong Wu

    (Tangshan Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., Tangshan 063000, China)

Abstract

Heat-using behavior has a major impact on heating energy in heat-metering systems, and therefore, a better understanding can assist in behavior guidance to reduce energy. The objective of this paper was to investigate heat-using behavior, including adjusting heating end valves and operating windows, and identify the main factors affecting the heat-using behavior of households in heat-metering modes. Thirty households were measured and surveyed. The factors influencing heat-using behavior, including outdoor and indoor environmental parameters and time of day, were analyzed. The results are the following: (1) The indoor temperature for heat-metering households was relatively high, up to 24–25 °C (95% confidence interval). (2) The heat-using behavior of households has a lack of rationality: a low proportion of households with adjusted heating end valves, high indoor temperature settings, and more frequent window openings. Improving indoor comfort is the main reason for households to adjust heating end valves, accounting for 79% (95% confidence interval, CI: 71–87%). “Thermostat control valve does not work” is the main reason for households without adjustment, accounting for 63% (95% confidence interval, CI: 53–72%). (3) Time of day and indoor temperature affect active households’ willingness to adjust heating end valves. Time of day, indoor temperature, and outdoor temperature have impacts on opening windows during heating periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiu’e Yang & Wenjie Ji & Chunhui Wang & Haidong Wu, 2023. "Investigation of Indoor Thermal Environment and Heat-Using Behavior for Heat-Metering Households in Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:15149-:d:1265181
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kelly, Scott & Shipworth, Michelle & Shipworth, David & Gentry, Michael & Wright, Andrew & Pollitt, Michael & Crawford-Brown, Doug & Lomas, Kevin, 2013. "Predicting the diversity of internal temperatures from the English residential sector using panel methods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 601-621.
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    4. Runa Nesbakken, 2001. "Energy Consumption for Space Heating: A Discrete–Continuous Approach," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 103(1), pages 165-184, March.
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