Profiling Space Heating Behavior in Chilean Social Housing: Towards Personalization of Energy Efficiency Measures

Abstract

Global increases in the demand for energy are imposing strong pressures over the environment while compromising the capacity of emerging economies to achieve sustainable development. In this context, implementation of effective strategies to reduce consumption in residential buildings has become a priority concern for policy makers as minor changes at the household scale can result in major energy savings. This study aims to contribute to ongoing research on energy consumer profiling by exploring the forecasting capabilities of discrete socio-economic factors that are accessible through social housing allocation systems. Accordingly, survey data gathered by the Chilean Ministry of Social Development was used identify key characteristics that may predict firewood usage for space heating purposes among potential beneficiaries of the Chilean social housing program. The analyzed data evidences strong correlations between general household characteristics and space heating behavior in certain climatic zones, suggesting that personalized delivery of energy efficiency measures can potentially increase the effectiveness of initiatives aimed towards the reduction of current patterns of consumption.

Analysis of Health Indicators in Two Rural Communities on the Colombian Caribbean Coast: Poor Water Supply and Education Level Are Associated with Water-Related Diseases

“…Moreover, material conditions of the dwellings were assessed by taking into account a materiality index, described by others authors. 24,25 Data for WASH indicators was collected as described by the WHO: improved drinking water sources (piped water into dwelling, plot, or yard; public tap/stand pipe; tube well/ borehole or protected dug well; protected spring and rainwater collection), and improved sanitation facilities (flush or pour-flush to: piped sewer system, septic tank, or pit latrine; ventilated, improved pit latrine; pit latrine with slab; and composting toilet). 26 Similarly, all subjects were asked to recall the number and features of diarrhea and febrile episodes suffered by himself/herself or some family member during the previous 12 months.…”

“…Concrete was predominant material for the walls (48.6%) and floor (49.5%), and asbestos (79.1%) was the predominant material for the ceiling (N = 174) ( Table 3). To define a dwelling's general condition, the index of materiality was used as a guideline 24,25 ; according to that ( Table 3).…”

Structuring a Residential Satisfaction Model for Predictive Personalization in Mass Social Housing

“…Although in recent years a number of schemes targeting middle-income households for both, ownership or rental housing, as well as retrofitting works have become available, this system predominantly targets low-income households providing them with ownership housing. Accordingly, for many, it becomes a once in a lifetime opportunity to significantly improve their life quality and prospects, while the logic of the system results in housing that meets only minimum regulatory standards dismissing the needs and preferences of the occupants [21]. This explains the significant levels of personalization through informal construction found in the estates [61,62].…”

“…Figures A1-A4 in Appendix A summarize the modifications included in the analysis. All the dwellings were simulated using a standard 4.77-member household [21]. The thermal performance of the dwellings was assessed by simulating daily hours of discomfort over a standard year (Predicted Mean Vote in [74]) while the total demand for space heating and cooling energy was assessed using a single HVAC system with set point and set back temperatures and heating schedules defined after field observations (Table 4).…”

“…However, such initiatives have failed to scale up and generate feasible delivery alternatives to repetitive mass housing in countries facing pressing shortages. This study contributes to ongoing research exploring the potential and limitations of mass personalization as a means to reconcile quality and affordability in social housing [20,21]. In particular, this study uses a field information environmental performance assessment to structure a residential satisfaction model for predictive personalization within the constraints defined by Chilean regulations to lay the foundations for mass personalized housing approaches.…”