Heating habits and thermal comfort using wood stoves: a questionnaire-based analysis in Norway

Understanding occupant heating behavior is essential for reliable building energy modeling and effective energy policy. This study investigates the role of wood-burning stoves in Norwegian households, focusing on their impact on electricity demand, indoor thermal conditions, and occupant comfort in different rooms. A nationwide questionnaire with 437 responses was analyzed using generalized linear models and cumulative link models, complemented by descriptive analysis. The study investigates wood stove usage patterns, user motivations, indoor temperatures, and thermal comfort in both bedrooms and living areas. The results reveal substantial variability in stove operation across households, building characteristics, and space-heating systems, along with a pronounced seasonal dependence. Peak usage occurs in the evening, coinciding with periods of highest electricity demand, thereby highlighting a significant potential for peak load reduction during cold days. Distinct differences are also observed between weekdays and weekends, across heating systems, and in relation to the underlying motivations for wood stove use. Living rooms in dwellings equipped with wood stoves exhibit greater temperature variability, alongside improved thermal comfort during stove operation, particularly in homes relying on electric panels as the main heating system. This highlights the importance of the primary heating system and its interaction with wood stoves. Overheating is reported in approximately 25% of homes and up to 50% of highly insulated buildings, providing empirical confirmation of concerns previously identified in simulation studies and highlighting the need for appropriate stove sizing and the integration of thermal storage. Overall, these empirical findings deliver robust, policy-relevant insights for energy planning, building performance simulation, and wood stove design and manufacturing.