Residential energy efficiency and fuel choice

Conference · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5528420

Lee, A. D.; Englin, J.; Harkreader, S.

This evaluation involved the Bonneville Power Administration's (Bonneville's) Early Adopter Program (EAP), which promotes early adoption of the Northwest Model Conservation Standard (MCS) for new residential buildings heated with electricity. The energy efficiency improvements required by the MCS are likely to increase construction costs and possible reduce demand for new electrically heated homes. The purpose of the evaluation was to provide a preliminary assessment of fuel preferences and how the MCS affects residential fuel choice. A survey of households in two EAP regions was conducted and analyzed. Housing sales price data were collected in Tacoma, Washington, and hedonic price analysis was used to determine the effect of the MCS and different fuel types on housing price. Focus groups were held with Tacoma builders, and conjoint analysis was used to determine what factors most influenced the installation of specific fuel. The results showed that homeowners consider several fuel characteristics to be important in their fuel choice. Analysis of sales price data in Tacoma showed that buyers had paid more for gas-heated homes in recent years, probably reflecting recent sharp increases in the relative price of electricity. In addition, it appeared that buyers in Tacoma had paid considerably more for homes built to the MCS than electrically heated homes built to previous standards. Builder information suggested that buyer preferences were the main factor determining what fuel a builder would install. 7 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5528420
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-16957; CONF-890845-5; ON: DE89016820
• Resource Relation: Conference: 4. international energy conservation program evaluation conference, Chicago, IL (USA), 21-25 Aug 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
HOUSES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
CONSTRUCTION
COST
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
FUELS
PRICES
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
BUILDINGS
EFFICIENCY
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
298000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Consumption & Utilization
320100 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings