Homeowners’ Perceptions of Renewable Energy and Market Value of Sustainable Buildings

Self Cite

In response to escalating environmental challenges, this research underscores the pivotal role of sustainable construction practices, particularly focusing on bioclimatic design as a foundational element within the realm of sustainable architecture and environmental upgrading of buildings, within the broader context of sustainable urban planning. The study delves into the perspectives of residents in Cyprus concerning bioclimatic building design. Employing a quantitative methodology, the investigation aims to comprehensively assess homeowner views on the benefits, motivations, concerns, and preferred techniques associated with bioclimatic design. By comprehending these perspectives and contextual factors, this study identifies obstacles hindering broader implementation and illuminates why adoption remains limited, despite the potential for substantial energy and emissions reductions. The research also examines the background of respondents, such as heating/cooling systems, energy expenses, and upgrade preferences, to provide essential context for the findings. A structured questionnaire was administered to a stratified sample of 150 pedestrians in the Pafos area, ensuring a representative cross-section of the local population. This method allowed for a robust examination of demographic influences on opinions and an in-depth analysis of the impact of residential characteristics. The findings reveal a substantial influence of cost considerations in shaping decisions related to residential property development and the renovation of existing structures, contributing to the limitation of widespread adoption across the island. This influence persists even as a majority of respondents express a readiness to undertake building energy upgrades, among which, the most popular actions include the installation of specialized glass, the replacement of traditional air conditioning units with inverters, and the adoption of energy-efficient lighting. The research culminates in the proposal that introducing financial incentives has the potential to enhance homeowner participation in bioclimatic and energy upgrades. This recommendation is particularly salient in the climatic context of Cyprus, where the implementation of solar control measures emerges as a promising avenue for bolstering energy efficiency. In considering the socio-economic dimensions implicit in these findings, it becomes evident that the interplay between financial considerations and sustainable construction practices is a critical aspect. The identified barriers underscore the necessity for nuanced strategies and policy frameworks that address the socio-economic dimensions of bioclimatic design adoption. In this context, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the intricate relationship between financial factors and sustainable architectural practices, offering implications for future research endeavors and potential avenues for policy interventions.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…What proves successful in one geographical location may necessitate adaptation or alteration when applied elsewhere. Therefore, a nuanced, context-sensitive approach that accounts for the specific conditions of each project is paramount [70].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-Economic Barriers to Adopting Energy-Saving Bioclimatic Strategies in a Mediterranean Sustainable Real Estate Setting: A Quantitative Analysis of Resident Perspectives

Vassiliades,

Minterides,

Astara

et al. 2023

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“…pandemic and associated lockdowns, in a way, served as a social experiment, revealing changes in residential electricity usage patterns during the pandemic, including increased energy consumption by those working and studying from home, potentially fostering digital competence and new energy consumption approaches [6]. This has also had a longterm impact on the mindset of homeowners, as different design settings appeared which were considering the new electricity demand patterns [7]. In the future, adapting office buildings into residential spaces to meet the almost zero energy demand requirements is a feasible solution, despite the challenges of returning back to office spaces, driven by the global oversupply of office areas and increased demand for apartments due to remote work and the COVID-19 pandemic [8].…”

Section: Energy Demand and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Industry Transition Transformation in the Wake of COVID-19

Xydis,

Nanaki

2023

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“…Although the energy systems that are proposed in the medium and long term should focus on all types of energy use in different sectors, there is still a greater focus on the electricity sector rather than the entire energy system [6]. Furthermore, to achieve 100% RES penetration, an intelligent combination of technologies is required to ensure the stable operation of the grid with a variable supply of renewable energy [7]. Worldwide, there are more than 85,000 islands registered, of which around 13% are inhabited with a total population of more than 740 million people [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges, Roadmaps and Smart Energy Transition towards 100% Renewable Energy Markets in American Islands: A Review

Icaza,

Vallejo-Ramirez,

Guerrero Granda

et al. 2024

There is no doubt that the transition towards renewable energies is generating many changes on different continents, some with greater impacts than others, but the development that has occurred is recognized and widely accepted. The progress has been significant but it is necessary to analyze the roadmaps that have been proposed so far at the island level so that decision makers have sufficient tools to commit the much-needed economic resources to transform their energy systems into 100% renewable ones. These approaches are not simple and the hard work of the authors who have disseminated their research is recognized. The roadmaps are planned based on the energy potential available in the territories and the future energy demand. Within countries, it is important to increase the economic resources to allocate to investments in environmentally friendly renewable energies. In this review of 100% renewable smart systems on islands, the situation of the American continent, its challenges and its long-term approaches in the different geographical areas facing 2050 are analyzed. This article shows that research into the design of 100% renewable energy systems in scientific articles is fairly new but has gained more and more attention in recent years. In total, 175 articles published since 2002 were identified and analyzed. Many of these articles have a predominant focus on the electricity sector. As a general result, it has been determined that although there has been significant progress towards an orderly energy transition, this has not been consistent with the international agreements signed since the Paris Summit, which is a real challenge in complying with the new commitment of the COP28 of Dubai in tripling the participation of renewables.