Factors Influencing the Energy Consumption of Residential Buildings: A Review

Energy consumption of residential buildings is influenced by different factors. There is currently a considerable number of research attempting to understand the effects of such factors on energy performance of residential built environment. However, there is still a need for comprehensive studies reviewing influencing factors. The objective of this paper is therefore to present a detailed classification of the factors influencing energy consumption by reviewing the most recent publications employed in the pursuit of identifying and investigating such factors. Building's physical characteristics, appliances' and systems' characteristics, occupants' energy behavior characteristics, and climate characteristics are the four main categories of factors. This review also presents and discusses current lack points existing in the literature. Clarifying the boundary of research, determining the time of data collection step, considering all types of energy consumption units, and understanding the indirect effects of factors on energy consumption are the main points dismissed in most literature. Finally, this study puts perspectives for the ongoing research aiming to work on energy related factors.