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Lookup NU author(s): Di Yang, Professor Neveen Hamza, Professor Rose Gilroy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This paper aims to investigate the indoor environmental conditions and energy use behaviours of older individuals in rural cold climates of China, with a specific focus on cooling practices during the summer months in the Shandong region. This study employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative indoor environmental monitoring with qualitative interviews and observations, to explore the relationship between environmental factors, household living conditions, and energy use patterns across five types of elderly households: three generations living together, older people living with grandchildren, older people living with children, older couples living together, and older people living alone. Data collection was conducted over five weeks during the summer of 2023 using HOBO UX100-003 data loggers, while external weather conditions were monitored by the China Meteorological Administration. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to gain deeper insights into daily cooling behaviours and energy use. The results reveal that cooling practices and indoor environmental conditions vary significantly among the different household types. Multigenerational households showed more complex energy use dynamics, with younger family members frequently operating high-energy appliances like air conditioners, while older individuals tended to rely on natural ventilation and electric fans to reduce energy costs. In contrast, older couples and solitary older individuals demonstrated more conservative cooling behaviours, often enduring higher indoor temperatures due to limited financial resources and a desire to minimize energy expenditures. Despite the high energy use intensity in some households, many homes failed to achieve comfortable indoor environments, particularly in dwellings with minimal insulation and older building materials. This study concludes that economic status, household structure, and building characteristics play crucial roles in shaping cooling behaviours and indoor comfort during the summer
Author(s): Yang D, Hamza N, Gilroy D
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Energies
Year: 2024
Volume: 17
Issue: 22
Online publication date: 05/11/2024
Acceptance date: 30/10/2024
Date deposited: 05/11/2024
ISSN (electronic): 1996-1073
Publisher: MDPI
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/en17225527
DOI: 10.3390/en17225527
Data Access Statement: The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author
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