INFLUENCE OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE CONCERNING COVID-19 ON ENERGY AND WATER CONSUMPTION IN HOUSES

In this paper, changes in electricity, gas and water consumption associated with behavior change triggered by COVID-19 pandemic were ascertained using measured data and a questionnaire survey of living conditions at two apartment buildings in Tokyo area. The results showed that (1) consumption during weekday daytime increased significantly just after the pandemic, with delayed morning and advanced evening peaks, (2) annual energy consumption in FY2020 considering the yearly difference of outdoor temperature increased remarkably compared to before the pandemic, and (3) the evening peak shift was observed even in FY2023, indicating that some pandemic-induced behavior changes had become well-established.