Trends in appliance usage and electricity consumption in households: A case study in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The study aimed to develop interrelationships among electricity consumption, the plan area of the house, period of construction and appliance availability in Hambantota district in Sri Lanka. For this survey, the data was collected from 385 houses by means of door-to-door visits. Electricity consumption increases with the increase in the number of family members and the plan area of a house, but it is reduced with the age of the house. The availability of air conditioner, refrigerator, electric kettle, electric iron, vacuum cleaner, laptop computer, and incandescent bulbs significantly influences the electricity consumption in a particular housing unit. An increasing trend in energy demand for thermal comfort was observed in the region. Houses built after 2008 use an average of 100 kWh of electricity per month, which is a 30 kWh increase over older houses (built within or before 2008) in the area, resulting in an increase in energy demand in the area. The results of this study are a valuable reference in policymaking related to market availability of appliances, deciding electricity tariffs, and identifying potential ways to improve energy use efficiency in the domestic sector.

Keywords: Appliances, domestic consumption, electricity demand, tropical climate, thermal comfort.