Form Submission: Participation Entry

Research Day Entry

Drivers of residential energy consumption in the US and options for GHG reductions (To retrofit or to demolish and rebuild?)

Household energy consumption is a crucial component of national GHG emissions in all countries. The quantity and carbon intensity of energy consumed by households is key to potential emission reductions. The residential sector in the US makes up 20% and 3% of national and global GHG emissions respectively. Although lower carbon electricity is slowly reducing the carbon intensity of energy consumed, another 'easier' emission reduction strategy is to reduce energy consumption through improved housing and energy conversion methods, and behavioral changes. To ensure the continuation of a recent decline in residential energy consumption and emissions requires a nuanced understanding of the key drivers and trends which have been at work. The current study develops our understanding of recent drivers of household energy consumption in the US. It will inform further research on unresolved issues including whether mitigation efforts should focus more on retrofitting the current housing stock or replacing older stock with new housing.