Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong
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 quantit...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Di Yang Neveen Hamza Rose Gilroy |
| author_facet | Di Yang Neveen Hamza Rose Gilroy |
| author_sort | Di Yang |
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| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f35529df4a2a40fab27cbf6e9bfbc4e5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-f35529df4a2a40fab27cbf6e9bfbc4e52024-11-26T18:01:41ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-11-011722552710.3390/en17225527Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in ShandongDi Yang0Neveen Hamza1Rose Gilroy2School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UKSchool of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UKSchool of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UKThis 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5527energy use behaviourindoor environmental conditionsrural Chinaolder peoplethermal environment |
| spellingShingle | Di Yang Neveen Hamza Rose Gilroy Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong Energies energy use behaviour indoor environmental conditions rural China older people thermal environment |
| title | Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong |
| title_full | Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong |
| title_fullStr | Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong |
| title_full_unstemmed | Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong |
| title_short | Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong |
| title_sort | summer energy use and comfort analysis in rural chinese dwellings a case study of low income older populations in shandong |
| topic | energy use behaviour indoor environmental conditions rural China older people thermal environment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5527 |
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