The rhythms and rhythmanalysis of household energy demand

Recent work on energy demand has outlined a series of different factors that determine patterns of energy use and the importance of the social relations that underpin them. Here, we extend calls to recognise that energy consumption is rooted in people’s homes and communities by illuminating the significance of rhythms in contemporary patterns of energy demand. We argue that renewed attention on social relations should also focus analysis on the various rhythms and temporalities that influence how people use energy – and how such tempos and contexts change and evolve over time. To do so, we review recent work to outline a framework of how these rhythms and temporalities influence social relations and vice-versa and methods for more holistic understandings of energy demand and potential interventions.