The application of smartphone technology to economic and environmental analysis of building energy conservation strategies

Authors

Patrick Leslie, Queen’s University
Joshua M. Pearce, Queen’s UniversityFollow
Rob Harrap, Queen’s University
Sylvie Daniel, Université Laval

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2012

Volume

31

Issue

5

Journal

International Journal of Sustainable Energy

First Page

295

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1080/1478646X.2011.578746

Last Page

311

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of smartphone technology as a tool to implement building energy audit programmes to increase energy conservation measure (ECM) uptake and concomitant environmental and economic benefits. The smartphone audit analysed provides an energy audit platform with: (i) quasi-real time analysis, (ii) continuous user engagement, (iii) geospatial customization, (iv) additional ECMs, (v) ECM ranking and user education, and (vi) the ability to constantly evolve. A case study of 157,000 homes in Southeastern Ontario shows that 55 years is needed to complete energy audits for all dwellings in the region following a traditional energy audit model. However, the results of the smartphone-based audit programme accelerates this in both terms of audits completed and cumulative carbon dioxide savings over a sensitivity range of audit effectiveness. It is concluded that an advanced and expanded home energy auditing programme that uses smartphone technology could provide significant economic and environmental benefits. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.