Comparison of energy load demand and thermal comfort levels in Athens, Greece and London, UK

This paper presents a comparison of the characteristics of the energy demand for London, UK and Athens, Greece and explores its relationship with both climate and non-climate related factors. Year-to-year trends for both cities are identified, associated mainly with economic, social and demographic factors. In addition, several other effects such as weekly and holiday effects, unrelated to weather conditions are detected and are examined in comparison for the two cities. Gross National Product (G.N.P.) per capita has been employed to aid de-trend the data in order to isolate the weather/climate influence on energy load. Temperature has been found to play the most important role in controlling the energy load demand, especially for Athens. Thermal comfort levels for both cities have also been identified and compared.