Assessing the impact of a differentiated retrofit approach in UK domestic buildings

Abstract

Conventionally, publicly accessible retrofit recommendations use calculations based on standardised occupant behaviour. However, studies have shown that occupant behaviour can have a significant impact on energy consumption and subsequent retrofit savings. This paper assesses the impact of a differentiated retrofit approach using household archetypes grouped according to similar behavioural patterns, dwelling and household characteristics. The results showed that distinguishing between different household groups can significantly improve overall retrofit effectiveness. The ambition is to enable better home retrofits for a sustainable housing stock, while meeting the UK Government’s goal of carbon emissions reduction.

From a Techno-Economic towards a Socio-Technical Approach—A Review of the Influences and Policies on Home Energy Renovations’ Decisions

“…The contributions gathered so far highlight the importance of considering heterogeneity as a factor to understand underlying reasons within the distinctive behaviors on energy improvements. It is not recently that homeowners' archetypes have been adopted; however, it was more frequently considered in terms of socio-demographics (educational background, age), socio-economics (occupation, income), and house type [59,[157][158][159]. Introducing a socio-technical approach provides the theoretical background to understand the several ways homeowners see and foresee their houses: (a) as a project (linked to DIY skills) [106,160]; (b) as a pleasure/haven (linked with comfort, luxury, and quality) [106,160]; (c) as a step up (linked to property value); (d) as a home (linked to updating decor, furniture, and appliances); (e) as a necessity (linked to pressures of life) [160]; (f) as a shelter (linked to safety and security) [106,160]; (g) as a place to live (linked to functionality, convenience, and environmental issues) and (h) as an arena for activities (linked to simple and environmentally conscious lifestyles) [106].…”

“…However, they convey an understanding of the complexity of energy decisions that are far from rational [106]. However, in response to the socio-technical challenges of energy renovation, a differentiated renovation approach with house owners grouped according to similar behavioral patterns together with dwelling and household characteristics can significantly improve energy-saving potential compared with the conventional methods (that tend to standardize occupant behavior) [42,159,160]. For example, a possible shift in policy strategies for non-adopters or unmotivated owners, could be to consider barriers as the main focus to understand in more detail the influences that hinder their interest [161].…”