Managing energy in rental homes: influences and future options

Led by the Worcester Students’ Union, the University of Worcester are working with local students, landlords, Worcester City Council, and Worcester Bosch Group to explore the wider role of technological innovation (smart boiler controls – apps to manage appliances in the home) in producing new opportunities for energy management for young people living in shared rental properties. Technological change sits in a cultural context, and more is needed to understand the attitudes of apparently ‘tech savvy’ young people, particularly students, and landlords, towards taking action and to future take up of these technologies. 

The research includes 150 in-depth interviews with students and landlords to ascertain their attitudes to domestic energy management, and the opportunities and potential limitations to the effective operation of these novel systems.

This phase of the research is part of a wider investigation of energy use, the Energize Worcester Project. The project team is led by Professor Carolyn Roberts, Professor of Environment, Gresham College and Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability, University of Worcester

A free half day conference bringing together landlords, Local Authorities, academics, students, energy management systems manufacturers, energy providers, residents’ groups and others with interests in sustainability.


More information and how to book can be found here