Residential space heating: An analysis of energy conservation

The energy signature technique is used to analyse the marginal benefits of various types of energy conservation in residential space heating and certain systematic errors frequently committed by utility companies in estimating these benefits. The results indicate that the marginal price of energy and the change in the balance point temperature of a dwelling are the most significant factors in determining the value of energy saved each year. Utilities in the 27 cities studied do not consider the effects of changes in the balance point temperature of a structure when estimating energy savings. Regional differences are also examined.