Cold Hands, Warm Hearth? Climate, Net Takeback, and Household Comfort

摘要: Insulation reduces marginal heating costs and may lead to a takeback effect of higher wintertime thermostat settings, with consequent dilution energy savings. Alternatively, additional insulation could permit lower setting by reducing drafts radiation while increasing moisture retention, thereby enhancing comfort. This paper evaluates net takeback, the difference between enhanced Evidence supports existence both effects, at low end literature estimates. Net is on order 0.05{degrees}F, leading an that ranges from 1-3% potential savings, depending climate house size. Other significant determinants are price presence elderly or young occupants. 19 refs., 4 tabs.