Why do the homes have a higher energy demand than planned?
• Those homes with teenagers have observed a significant increase in energy use, which disappears when the teenagers depart! • Failure of ‘water to air’ heat pumps (no longer available) in 4 out of 5 homes to heat water. The replacement energy efficient systems use more energy than the heat pump systems. • Food processing for cooking and storing site grown fruit and vegetables has increased over the years – however this offsets shop bought food which is much more energy intensive through manufacturing, packaging and transportation. • More work from homes than initially expected. • The water supply and treatment systems use energy via pumps (this offsets energy that is used to supply homes on mains systems, but is a hidden cost in water bills). For more detail see HHP Technical Factsheet TF9: Energy Generation. Copies can be purchased via the Shop.
