Household Energy Consumption under Different Lifestyles

This study investigated the impacts of lifestyle in terms of family patterns, life schedules and climate factors upon household energy consumption, as well as to unfold the main causes of household energy consumption under various climatic lifestyles. Based on the findings of the previous studies, it was assumed that space heating, cooling, lighting and entertainment/media equipments usages are the major lifestyle and climate related sources of household energy consumption. Based on these aspects, together with the typical life schedules of different occupation groups, climatic data and typical family patterns, lifestyles related household energy consumptions were calculated for Hokkaido (cool temperate climate), Saitama Prefecture (temperate climate) and Kogoshima Prefecture (varies from temperate to subtropical climates) of Japan, for years 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2025. The results confirmed that regional basis lifestyles in terms of family patterns, life schedules and climate factors are significant in dictating the household energy consumption trends.