Customer attitudes toward thermal-energy-storage heating

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6128881· OSTI ID:6128881

Hersh, H. N.

This study of attitudes among users of thermal energy storage (TES) heating systems indicates that more than 90% of the users regard TES as an acceptable residential heating technology. This conclusion draws upon three sources of information: a formal customer acceptance survey exploring attitudes and levels of satisfaction, face-to-face contacts between utility representatives and users, and a survey of pertinent published information. The two main conclusions of this study are that: (1) TES heating systems are installed for economic reasons by customers who can afford higher initial costs and understand the concept of lower total cost (capital plus operating), and (2) attitudes toward TES are positive, the key indicator being that 90% of TES users would recommend their heating system to a friend or neighbor. TES systems are not regarded more favorably than conventional systems, however, and it is likely that lower electric heating bills are responsible for the favorable perceptions of most TES users. These conclusions remove an element of uncertainty about thermal energy storage systems for heating, and should be useful to private and public policymakers.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6128881
• Report Number(s): ANL/SPG-17; ON: DE82003010
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
ATTITUDES
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH ATLANTIC REGION
OFF-PEAK POWER
POWER
SPACE HEATING
SURVEYS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
USA