Role of insulation levels to reduce space heating demand in Japanese residential houses

This paper describes some findings about space heating demand in typical residential houses located in the suburbs of Kyoto. Emphasis is placed on analyzing the role of insulation levels, space heating appliances and life style in reducing space heating demand in Japanese residential houses. The data for space heating demand are obtained from the monitoring project that has been carried out by the authors which collected end-use electric power, city gas and kerosene consumption and ambient and room temperature measurements at thirty minute intervals. A total of 66 houses were monitored during the period of 1998-2001. Space heating demand was separated from the monitored electric power, city gas and kerosene consumption data. The monitored houses are of similar size of 120-140 m 2 and the numbers of household members are 4 (2 adults and 2 children). Space heating demands varied widely from 4 to 36 GJ (primary energy) per year and there were some reasons for the variation, i.e., 1) Thermal characteristics of houses, 2) Space heating system, 3) Life style (room tem