6 UK RESPoNSES To THE ENERGY CHALLENGE …
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is the level of comfort required, i.e. a reasonable level of warmth, which
varies over time. The average room temperature in the UK is around
18 degrees (compared with 12 degrees in 1970), and, on average, UK
homes are heated for 8 hours per day in winter. About 70% of UK homes
with central heating heat their homes twice per day and occasionally
boost the heating when required (oVo Energy 2018). Energy prices
and relative incomes also impact consumption levels. In the period since
2005, gas and electricity prices have more than doubled. This significant
increase in fuel prices, combined with an economic downturn, is likely
to reduce consumption as consumers became more conscious of their
household budgets (BEIS 2018).
The UK housing stock is old compared with most European countries. As a result, many houses have poor insulation, resulting in additional consumption to maintain a given level of comfort. Nonetheless,
older housing stock is being gradually replaced with newer, more energy
efficient homes. Therefore, there have been some key changes to household characteristics, as well as energy efficiency measures (e.g. more efficient boilers; installation of double glazing; cavity wall insulation), which
have put downward pressure on energy use (BEIS 2018).
People in the UK prefer living in houses to flats. This is partially
explained by assumptions about respect for privacy and independence, and
pride in ownership. Additionally, houses are typically ‘freehold’, i.e. includes
the ownership of both the building and the land, in contrast with flats or
apartments, which in England and Wales are most commonly owned on a
leasehold basis. The UK is also the only EU country not to have minimumspace standards for homes; as a result, it has the smallest new homes in
Europe, significantly smaller than 100 years ago (Henley 2012).
energy poLiCy in the uk 1
UK energy policy today seeks to deliver solutions to the so-called energy
‘trilemma’—the perceived need for secure, affordable and clean energy supplies for the UK’s economic success. Although the UK has pursued a centralised approach to energy for many decades, the government and other
interest groups intend to develop decentralised energy and storage systems
1 This chapter was written at the time when the UK was in the process of Brexit negotiations. There may be changes to energy and climate areas when the UK leaves the EU.
61
is the level of comfort required, i.e. a reasonable level of warmth, which
varies over time. The average room temperature in the UK is around
18 degrees (compared with 12 degrees in 1970), and, on average, UK
homes are heated for 8 hours per day in winter. About 70% of UK homes
with central heating heat their homes twice per day and occasionally
boost the heating when required (oVo Energy 2018). Energy prices
and relative incomes also impact consumption levels. In the period since
2005, gas and electricity prices have more than doubled. This significant
increase in fuel prices, combined with an economic downturn, is likely
to reduce consumption as consumers became more conscious of their
household budgets (BEIS 2018).
The UK housing stock is old compared with most European countries. As a result, many houses have poor insulation, resulting in additional consumption to maintain a given level of comfort. Nonetheless,
older housing stock is being gradually replaced with newer, more energy
efficient homes. Therefore, there have been some key changes to household characteristics, as well as energy efficiency measures (e.g. more efficient boilers; installation of double glazing; cavity wall insulation), which
have put downward pressure on energy use (BEIS 2018).
People in the UK prefer living in houses to flats. This is partially
explained by assumptions about respect for privacy and independence, and
pride in ownership. Additionally, houses are typically ‘freehold’, i.e. includes
the ownership of both the building and the land, in contrast with flats or
apartments, which in England and Wales are most commonly owned on a
leasehold basis. The UK is also the only EU country not to have minimumspace standards for homes; as a result, it has the smallest new homes in
Europe, significantly smaller than 100 years ago (Henley 2012).
energy poLiCy in the uk 1
UK energy policy today seeks to deliver solutions to the so-called energy
‘trilemma’—the perceived need for secure, affordable and clean energy supplies for the UK’s economic success. Although the UK has pursued a centralised approach to energy for many decades, the government and other
interest groups intend to develop decentralised energy and storage systems
1 This chapter was written at the time when the UK was in the process of Brexit negotiations. There may be changes to energy and climate areas when the UK leaves the EU.