Residential energy use and conservation in Sweden

Abstract

We describe energy use in Swedish homes from 1963 to 1980 using data assembled and analyzed for the first time. Changes in energy use by fuel and purpose before and after the 1973 oil price shock are illustrated and discussed, and savings in space heating in the year 1980, compared with the pre-embargo period, are quantified. We discuss two important elements of Swedish energy conservation policy, the building codes and the system of grants and loans to homeowners. We conclude that the grants and loans probably accelerated home retrofit measures, while the building codes will play an important role in reducing residential heat losses over the long term.