Housing renovations and energy efficiency: insights from homeowners’ practices

Abstract

Renovation/retrofit is a key policy measure to reduce energy and emissions in existing residential stock. Existing approaches are typically based on assumptions about individual attitudes and technical–rational models, reliant on regulations and incentive programmes to influence homeowner ‘behaviour’. However, insufficient evaluation, together with inadequate attention given to the social dimensions of renovation, result in considerable uncertainty over the effectiveness of such policies. Drawing on ethnographic case studies informed by theories of social practice, this paper examines to what extent low energy and other environmental concerns come into play in renovations when they are conceptualized as social practices. A practice theory approach is adopted to analyze the intersection of renovations with homeowners’ practices. The analysis highlights the disparity between policy intentions for energy efficiency and everyday life. Findings reveal retrofit practices are mediated by the performance of practices comprising daily routines, both current and those anticipated in the future. Current policies and programmes focused on technical interventions to improve energy efficiency will have limited reach and impact. Instead, it is suggested, among other interventions, that policies to reduce the environmental impact of housing should be reframed around and positioned to address the mundane practices of everyday life.

Keywords::

• energy efficiency
• homeowners
• housing
• occupant behaviour
• public policy
• renovation
• retrofit
• social practice theory

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Editors and reviewers of the journal for their helpful comments on the earlier draft of this paper.

Funding

This paper is based on research supported by the Australian Government and RMIT University. The Australian Postgraduate Award was provided to E. P. Judson (2009–2012). The RMIT University funding was a Global Cities Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to C. Maller (2008–2010).

Notes

1 The terms ‘refurbishment’, ‘retrofitting’ and ‘renovation’ are generally used interchangeably in the built environment literature within the context of reducing energy use and carbon emissions in the existing housing stock. There is no commonly agreed definition, and usage is inconsistent. The term ‘renovation’ is used generally to cover modernization, retrofit, restoration, rehabilitation and renovation, actions that go beyond mere maintenance (Meijer, Itard, & Sunikka-Blank, 2009). A broad definition of renovation is adopted here and involves undertaking modifications to a dwelling to improve energy efficiency or reduce CO₂ and which may incorporate upgrading, internal reconfiguration or extension, and retrofitting.