Thermal Discomfort and Its Impact on Urban Residential Electricity Use: A Case Study in Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract

Urban energy demand in tropical highland settings is increasingly sensitive to climatic stressors, particularly the combined effects of temperature and humidity on thermal comfort. This study quantifies the influence of the Thermal Humidity Index (THI) on monthly electricity consumption in Bandung, Indonesia, between January 2012 and May 2024. Daily THI values were derived from 2-meter air temperature and relative humidity observations, aggregated into monthly means, and paired with utility records of residential electricity use. Spearman rank correlation analysis indicates a moderate positive association (ρ = 0.35, p < 0.001) between elevated heat-stress conditions and increased consumption. However, this relationship is partly obscured by concurrent growth in household electrification, appliance ownership, and urbanization.

Despite these confounding trends, the findings highlight a growing reliance on mechanical cooling in Bandung, a city historically known for its naturally temperate climate. The results underscore the importance of incorporating dynamic thermal stress and demographic shifts into future energy planning. While Spearman's correlation offers a valuable starting point, future research should adopt multivariate or time-series models to better isolate causal factors. Furthermore, the behavioral assumption linking THI to air conditioning use remains unvalidated in this study; incorporating user-level data or surveys would enhance the robustness of the conclusions. Overall, this study contributes to the broader understanding of climate-sensitive energy behavior and offers a transferable framework for urban energy forecasting in tropical regions.