Identifying Opportunities for Digital Tools to Support Energy Advisors Working with Housing Cooperatives

Abstract: Living in the modern world is an energy-intensive activity. The residential sector accounts for almost a quarter of Sweden's total energy consumption and many buildings in Sweden are not as energy efficient as they could be. Estimations indicate that the energy consumption of the entire residential sector could be halved if improvements such as improved isolation and updated heating systems were implemented. About 65% of the total energy consumption in apartment buildings comes from heating and water heating. This makes it difficult to influence on an individual level since these systems are managed on a building level. In housing cooperatives which is common in Sweden, such changes take long time and the board managing the building usually lacks relevant competence. All Sweden's municipalities offer free and objective energy advisors to both individuals and companies. This paper examines, through interviews and a field study, how these energy advisors work towards housing cooperatives and if digital tools could in any way facilitate their working process. Four major areas of concern have been identified and a design concept that addresses these issues will be presented. The results indicate that digital tools could lead to more time and resources being put on housing cooperatives that have high potential to make energy savings and help to create longer relationships and offer the right kind of support at the right time.