Household Energy Monitoring And Support (HEMAS)

This project aims to generate robust evidence on the effectiveness of behaviour change and/or small energy efficiency measures in reducing energy consumption and costs and improving quality of life for vulnerable households. 

They will identify eligible households who have a smart meter and can provide a year of monthly energy data. The number of participants will be selected to maximise the probability of obtaining statistically significant results. 

These households will receive an initial home visit, delivered via one of the organisation's existing projects, to provide energy-saving advice and install small energy efficiency measures. Households opting into the project will receive an additional visit to install equipment to monitor indoor temperature and humidity, and configure their smart meter for daily or half-hourly data collection. 

Five follow-up visits will take place over the following 12 months to collect data, provide tailored advice, and encourage further savings. Changes in energy consumption will be compared to a matched control group of households, while qualitative data will be gathered through surveys and structured interviews during home visits. 

An academic partner will support gathering and analysing quantitative data on energy use, cost savings, carbon reductions, and qualitative data on energy-related behaviour change, comfort and experience of HEMAS. Where consent is given, household interviews will be video-recorded for use in media to communicate the project's impact. The project will share their methodology and learnings to contribute to best practice in designing, monitoring and evaluating fuel poverty interventions.