| Summary/Abstract |
The aim of this research is to identify energy consumption profiles that explain the difference between actual and theoretical energy consumption (the energy performance gap) in the residential sector using latent profile analysis (LPA). The resulting profiles inform behavioral and socio-demographic differences in consumption patterns among households and help explain inconsistencies in prior research on the energy performance gap. This research demonstrates that under-consumption of energy compared with the theoretical measure is partially explained by behavior related to poverty and deprivation. To address this, preventive measures should be put in place that focus on renovation or social housing to enable the poorest households to heat their dwellings adequately. Particular attention could also be paid to households that consume the most to avoid bias in energy forecasting models.
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