Evaluation of Home Energy Efficiency Improvements in a Hot Desert Climate in Northwestern Mexico: The Energy Saving vs. Money Saving Conflict

Edgar Valenzuela, Hector Campbell, Gisela Montero, Marcos A. Coronado, Alejandro A. Lambert-Arista, Carlos Perez-Tello and Víctor H. Ramos-Sanchez
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Edgar Valenzuela: Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Mexicali, Boulevard Benito Juarez y Calle de la Normal s/n, Col. Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Mexico
Hector Campbell: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Boulevard Benito Juarez y Calle de la Normal s/n, Col. Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Mexico
Gisela Montero: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Boulevard Benito Juarez y Calle de la Normal s/n, Col. Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Mexico
Marcos A. Coronado: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Boulevard Benito Juarez y Calle de la Normal s/n, Col. Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Mexico
Alejandro A. Lambert-Arista: Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Mexicali, Boulevard Benito Juarez y Calle de la Normal s/n, Col. Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Mexico
Carlos Perez-Tello: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Boulevard Benito Juarez y Calle de la Normal s/n, Col. Insurgentes Este, Mexicali 21280, Mexico
Víctor H. Ramos-Sanchez: Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31125, Mexico

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: Reducing household energy consumption is one of the most important strategies used to decrease fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gases emissions, and to encourage renewable energy utilization. Most energy conservation strategies in the domestic sector are aimed at preferential loans, i.e., purchasing renewable electricity or to improve the efficiency of home appliances, such as air conditioning and lighting. However, despite the relative economic successes of these technologies, they have not had expected impacts in regard to energy consumption. In this work, the authors analyzed the consumption patterns of two equivalent households—one was adapted with improved thermal insulation and a 1.2 kW photovoltaic system to reduce consumption from the electrical grid. The results show that dwellings where no improvements were made registered lower electric energy consumption, due the fact that users were aware that no strategy had been implemented, and its consumption; hence, electricity payments depended solely on one’s attention over the electronic device operations. On the other hand, energy conservation strategies in households promotes confident and relaxed attitudes toward the use of energy, leading to lower energy billings, but a higher gross energy consumption.

Keywords: household energy consumption; rebound effect; energy efficiency; renewable generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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