Developing energy usage strategies by optimizing residential setpoints for affordable and health-promoting energy consumption

Hayoung Kim and Soowon Chang

Applied Energy, 2025, vol. 394, issue C, No S0306261925008578

Abstract: Energy poverty poses significant risks to health, equity, and sustainability in residential environments. Thermostat settings, which directly influence energy bills and indoor comfort, are one of a few tools residents can control to manage these challenges. However, there is limited understanding of how thermostat adjustments impact energy consumption and thermal comfort, especially for vulnerable populations. This knowledge gap hinders the development of strategies that are both cost-effective and comfortable, often exacerbating inequalities in living conditions. This study presents a framework to optimize adaptive temperature setpoint schedules through parametric building energy modeling and explore energy usage strategies that reconcile energy reduction with thermal comfort for residents. This study consists of 1) defining simulation scenarios, 2) optimizing adaptive setpoint schedules in building energy models, and 3) developing energy usage strategies. By integrating EnergyPlus simulations with a PMV-based comfort model and a GA-based multi-objective optimization tool, the proposed method utilizes thermostat setpoints as dynamic operational variables. This allows for flexible exploration of trade-offs between energy consumption and thermal comfort tailored to each household. The scenario-based structure captures both lifestyle and financial considerations, enabling residents to select strategies that best fit their needs. By presenting expected utility fees and thermal sensation levels, this study empowers individuals to make informed decisions regarding adaptive thermostat settings for healthy living environments. The framework ultimately contributes to more socially responsive and sustainable residential energy management by addressing the intersection of energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and equity.

Keywords: Building energy modeling; Temperature setpoints; Residential building; Energy usage strategy; Energy poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126127

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