The role of community-based initiatives in energy saving
Reference Number
ES/I007504/1
Title
The role of community-based initiatives in energy saving
Status
Completed
Energy Categories
Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial)
Research Types
Basic and strategic applied research
Science and Technology Fields
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Sociology)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy)
Principal Investigator
Professor G Smith
School of Social Sciences
University of Southampton
School of Social Sciences
University of Southampton
Award Type
Standard
Funding Source
ESRC
Start Date
01 October 2010
End Date
30 October 2012
Duration
25 months
Total Grant Value
£789,357
Industrial Sectors
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Region
South East
Programme
Investigators
Principal Investigator
Professor G Smith, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton
Other Investigator
Dr N Bardsley, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading
Dr MM Buchs, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton
Dr PAB James, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton
Dr C Saunders, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton
Dr N Woodman, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton
Dr MM Buchs, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton
Dr PAB James, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton
Dr C Saunders, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton
Dr N Woodman, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton
Web Site
Objectives
NB This project was given an extension - see also ES/I007504/2
Abstract
This project aims to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the role that community-based initiatives can play in fostering net energy savings in UK households. The project adopts a mixed-methods approach and is a collaboration between social scientists and engineers. The main element is an innovative field experiment: a matched case and control trial in which households in both treatment and control groups receive cavity wall and loft insulation. In the treatment group, the insulation is delivered as part of an ongoing community project promoting low-carbon lifestyles. The energy use of the households will be monitored over four heating seasons to discover if the community-based initiative has any significant impact on net energy savings. Regular surveys and selected semi-structured interviews with participants in the treatment and control groups will provide insights into changes in participants attitudes and practices, including their broader consumption patterns.
A second strand of research offers a comparative dimension: comparing the experimental results with the activities and impact of a wider range of community initiatives focused on domestic energy reduction across the UK.
A second strand of research offers a comparative dimension: comparing the experimental results with the activities and impact of a wider range of community initiatives focused on domestic energy reduction across the UK.
Data
No related datasets
Projects
No related projects
Publications
No related publications
Added to Database
06/02/12
