Success for energy efficient renovation of dwellings—Learning from private homeowners

Abstract

Large scale energy efficient renovation of buildings is one of the most important tools to realize the society's need of a more sustainable building stock. Most Norwegians own their own homes. Therefore private homeowners are a focus group for the government urging to accelerate the dwelling energy efficiency rates. Success factors were identified in the in-depth study of the decision process of eleven homeowners. Large differences in energy use due to the building's condition and the occupants' behavior was encountered in the sample. Only homeowners who were conscious consumers and did not trust expert advice or that had special knowledge due to their professions succeeded in realizing energy efficiency by renovation. Lack of knowledge, bad advice from craftsmen or priority to work that they can do themselves stopped other homeowners from implementing energy efficiency.Increased knowledge on all the gains from energy efficiency, the availability of attractive products and services as well as easy access to reliable advice on the better renovation solutions have a large potential to get more homeowners to make energy 1 efficient choices in the process of renovation. Coordination of more of policy strategies including specific information and incentives are needed to facilitate this.

Unseen influence—The role of low carbon retrofit advisers and installers in the adoption and use of domestic energy technology

“…Here, if neither the adviser/installer glazing, then it is unlikely that this energy efficiency technology will be installed (Risholt and Berker, 2013).…”

“…This would be tivations in many cases. The quest for energy efficiency alone is unlikely to be the driving force behind the decision to undertake renovations, which are more often motivated by the desire for different living space (Maller et al, 2012;Risholt and Berker, 2013). However, a renovation or RMI programme provides the opportunity for energy efficiency improvements and makes it more likely that energy efficiency improvements can be achieved.…”

“…a range of factors including how the SME links to other trades and professionals in a project, the inevitable unpredictability of retrofit projects and how previous experience and product design shape attitudes to risk and innovation (Killip, 2013). T impact of renovation measures on energy efficiency has been identified in a recent Norwegian study (Risholt and Berker, 2013) and the call has also been made for more consideration of adviser/installer skills issues in policies for low carbon transition (Jagger et al, 2012).…”

Outside influence – Some effects of retrofit installers and advisors on energy behaviours in households

“…Retrofit activity, and the resulting potential changes in energy use, may be constrained by intermediaries who lack certainty over the outcomes and householder concerns over "construction mess, associated stress and dubious contractors" [33]. The lack of knowledge and/or experience of particular tradesmen is also thought to limit the retrofit options considered, as in, for example, the case of a joiners' lack of experience with highly insulating window technologies [8].…”

“…[8][9][10] with extensive research on inhabitant behaviours that change energy consumption, exploring the effects of individual values [e.g. 11,12], the household's social practices and habits [13,14], and lifestyle stages and choices [15].…”