Demographic change in Switzerland will lead to a significant increase in the proportion of small and elderly people’s households, thus increasing residential energy consumption. Many factors determine energy consumption for households in general. These include living space requirements, the building’s age and energy efficiency standard, the type and efficiency of the heating system, the intensity of usage and the occupants’ behaviour. Energy consumption per person also depends on the size of the household or occupancy rate.
The goal of this project was to provide an in-depth understanding of the housing conditions of elderly people and their residential energy consumption. It also analysed their attitudes and age-specific obstacles to energy efficiency and sufficiency measures. On this basis it developed, tested and evaluated measures and incentives, and calculated the potential energy savings. The main focus was on reducing living space requirements by promoting a move to smaller homes, structural densification measures and energy-efficient renovation.
Implications for research
The project generated specific new knowledge on the residential energy consumption of elderly people. The follow-up implementation project is a contribution to current research in the field of social innovations.
Implications for practice
The project helps to estimate the potential of efficiency and sufficiency measures in residential energy consumption. It provides recommendations for policy makers regarding measures and incentives that could contribute to the goals of “Energy Strategy 2050” and the CO2 convention.
Residential energy efficiency and sufficiency potentials of elderly households (REPELD)