Boendes agerande under energikrisen 2022/2023

Sammanfattning: The building and service sector consume 40 percent of Sweden’s total energy use. Which of only single-family houses are responsible for 8 percent. The energy used in single family houses mainly goes to heating and hot water. 2020 the most common energy source for heating these buildings was electricity (Energimyndigheten 2022). The energy prices have increased heavily during the last year. This may possibly have an impact on the residents’ behaviour and their interaction with their home, which in turn may have an impact on energy use and indoor climate. This study aims to investigate how residents have behaved regarding energy use and indoor environment this heating season. To collect data for this study a web survey has been distributed. The survey was directed to residents living in single family houses. The survey is divided in six different chapters with 60 questions in total. The chapters are generally about the home, indoor environment, installations, airing, living habits and background questions. The result from the survey shows that the majority of the respondents are living in electricity area 3 and 4. The study shows that most of the respondents (82%) have made a change this heating season to reduce their energy use. The most common behavioural change is to lower the temperature, turn of lights and take faster showers. The most common major technical action is replacing the moulding on windows and/or doors, change appliances and replace windows and/or doors. In the upcoming year just under a fifth plan to install solar panels. Changes will positively affect residents’ energy cost and reduce energy use and power input, which in turn can affect and lower energy prices. In 2009, Boverket published a nationwide study on behalf of the Swedish government. The study was named Betsi, and the aim was to investigate a national average of residential energy use, technical status and indoor environment (Boverket 2023). The results of this study are compared in interesting cases with Betsi, to investigate whether a change has taken place since 2009. Airing is a common and simple way to affect the indoor environment, which also affects energy use. Results from the airing passage shows that there was generally a reduction in airing during the heating season compared to Betsi that was carried out in 2009 when energy prices were lower. When airing, cross draught is the most common method. The understanding of energy and energy use has increased the past year. 42 percent state that they have changed their behaviour to a high or a very high degree and live more energy-consciously today compared to the last year. Economics is an important issue in an energy and indoor environment context, and thus a significant factor in how residents have behaved during the energy crisis. The study also reveals behaviour that can result in a degraded indoor environment and have a negative impact on thermal comfort and air quality. For example, 20 percent close vents intended for outdoor supply, 28 percent airs the kitchen when cooking and 13 percent report to have an indoor temperature that falls below 18°C.