A new paper which uses SERL data to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on household energy consumption is now available.  

The paper, entitled ‘The impact of COVID-19 on household energy consumption in England and Wales from April 2020 to March 2022’ is available in the Energy and Buildings Journal Volume 297. 

The research used data – from 508 (electricity) and 326 (gas) SERL participating homes to analyse the effect of the pandemic on home energy use from April 2020 to March 2022 – which included lockdown periods and other government measures affecting people’s lifestyles. Weather, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and contextual survey data where also used alongside smart meter data.  

Diagram showing different gas and electric energy pre- and during CV19 pandemic.

The researchers used novel machine learning techniques to investigate how energy use changed in the pandemic, and in the subsequent period where some people’s lifestyles had permanently changed, for example with increased levels of working from home. 

Headline findings on changes during the pandemic period include: 

  • average electricity consumption increased by ~8% in year 1 and by ~2% in year 2, rising most in the 2021 winter lockdown by ~12% 
  • average gas consumption increased by ~6% in year 1, showed no change in year 2, and rose most in the 2021 winter lockdown by ~9%. 
  • households with children showed the greatest increase in electricity consumption during lockdowns, followed by those with adults in work. 

Lead author Dr Ellen Zapata-Webborn of the University College London SERL research team said: 

“These findings show the value of having a real-world energy consumption data resource like SERL which gives the flexibility to be able to react to unexpected current events, research what is happening and hopefully gain ins

ights on how to tackle issues we face as a society”.