Changes in Domestic Energy and Water Usage during the UK COVID-19 Lockdown Using High-Resolution Temporal Data

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the UK Government provided public health advice to stay at home from 16 March 2020, followed by instruction to stay at home (full lockdown) from 24 March 2020. We use data with high temporal resolution from utility sensors installed in 280 homes across social housing in Cornwall, UK, to test for changes in domestic electricity, gas and water usage in response to government guidance. Gas usage increased by 20% following advice to stay at home, the week before full lockdown, although no difference was seen during full lockdown itself. During full lockdown, morning electricity usage shifted to later in the day, decreasing at 6 a.m. and increasing at midday. These changes in energy were echoed in water usage, with a 17% increase and a one-hour delay in peak morning usage. Changes were consistent with people getting up later, spending more time at home and washing more during full lockdown. Evidence for these changes was also observed in later lockdowns, but not between lockdowns. Our findings suggest more compliance with an enforced stay-at-home message than with advice. We discuss implications for socioeconomically disadvantaged households given the indication of inability to achieve increased energy needs during the pandemic.

COVID‐19 and water demand: A review of literature and research evidence

“…Before discussing the observed changing patterns of water demand during COVID‐19 it is important to reflect on differences between the metrics and measurements used across this sample to discuss water consumption. In terms of the types of metrics reported, data was predominantly presented as percentage changes (Abu‐Bakar et al, 2021; Balacco et al, 2020; Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Cooley et al, 2020; Cvetković et al, 2021; Dzimińska et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Menneer et al, 2021; Rizvi et al, 2020; Roidt et al, 2020). These studies provide a relative perspective on changes in water use, for example find a 15% increase in residential use observed in Portsmouth, UK at the start of the pandemic compared with pre‐pandemic levels.…”

“…Overall, the literature indicated that complex and varied distributions and changes to water consumption patterns occurred across different communities and households (Abu‐Bakar et al, 2021; Alda‐Vidal et al, 2020; Balacco et al, 2020; Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Kalbusch et al, 2020; Rizvi et al, 2020; Campos et al, 2021; Cvetković et al, 2021; Dzimińska et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Lüdtke et al, 2021; Menneer et al, 2021; Zanocco et al, 2021). While these were focused on changes to morning demand patterns and peak demand hours, changes throughout the day (both on weekdays and weekends) were noted.…”

“…The literature identified changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of water demand and timing of peak demand during the pandemic. There was consistent discussion on the changing water consumption patterns and peak demand hours; mainly, a shift in morning peak to later in the day (Abu-Bakar et al, 2021;Alda-Vidal et al, 2020;Balacco et al, 2020;Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020;Cvetkovi c et al, 2021;Dzimi nska et al, 2021;Kim et al, 2021;Lüdtke et al, 2021;Menneer et al, 2021;Rizvi et al, 2020). For example, in Balacco et al (2020) analysis of water demand they observed a shift of the morning peak by 2-2.5 h in the towns of Lizzano, Trani, and Cellamare and by roughly an hour in Bari and Molfetta (Italy).…”

Changes in water use and wastewater generation influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of China

“…There are also a few studies investigating the large scale water usage/demand changes during the pandemic. Menneer et al (2021) studied the changes in domestic water and energy consumption in UK during the lockdown in 2020. The analysis was carried out using high-resolution temporal data, and found that the gas usage increased by 20% in the week before full lockdown, and no difference was seen during full lockdown itself.…”

Aged Care Energy Use and Peak Demand Change in the COVID-19 Year: Empirical Evidence from Australia

“…Australian businesses in the state of Victoria also experienced 5% to 10% daily demand reduction in March 2020; however, for households in the same region, electricity demand in the same period increased by about 5% [17]. UK domestic energy usage was shifted to later in the day, and some increased usage occurred during March 2020 to February 2021 [18]. Increases in residential electricity demand were also observed in lockdown periods in Canada, Ireland and USA [19,20].…”