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Residential energy use alternatives: 1976 to 2000

Journal Article · · Science; (United States)

A comprehensive engineering-economic model of residential energy use (developed at ORNL) was used to evaluate the energy impacts of various energy conservation strategies. The model simulates household energy use at the national level for four fuels, six end uses, and three housing types--single family, multifamily buildings, and trailers. Several cases were run with the model to determine the impacts on energy use of each factor, in isolation, and in combination with other determinants of fuel use. Dr. Hirst concludes the following: (1) residential energy use will grow more slowly during the last quarter of the 20th century than it did during the third quarter; (2) a ''high forecast'' developed in the study is not valid because it was assumed that fuel prices will hold constant (1975), that household formation and personal income will increase rapidly, and that the 1960-1970 trend in housing choices (away from single-family) will not continue; (3) implementation of energy conservation programs to raise fuel prices can have significant energy impacts; (4) implementation of a program to increase efficiency of residential equipment by 1980, as specified in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, can cut energy use in the year 2000 by at least 10 percent; and (5) programs to improve thermal integrity of residential structures can also provide significant energy savings during the next 25 years. (MCW)

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
OSTI ID:
7132002
Journal Information:
Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 194; ISSN SCIEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English