Home Comfort and “Peak Household”: Implications for Energy Demand

Abstract

This paper draws on a study of Scottish householders living in 'zero carbon' homes. It explores how broader understandings of home comfort may explain changes that result in home life becoming increasingly energy demanding, despite householders' intentions to save or decarbonise energy. The paper argues that domestic energy research must engage with the dreams, aspirations and images of home that ultimately drive energy consumption and impact investment in housing and home energy improvements. This is done by examining the interrelationship between energy retrofitting and installing microgeneration technologies alongside discussing meanings of home comfort and visions of ideal homes with householders. The study argues that an important aspect of home improvements is due to accommodating the 'needs' of the peak household. The paper concludes by discussing how a much wider range of people and interventions could be pursued to reduce domestic energy demand such as promoting downsizing or working with home or lifestyle companies.

Demanding expectations: Exploring the experience of distributed heat generation in Europe

“…In response, a focus on the everyday has arisen which attends to understanding how domestic practices co-evolve with changing patterns of energy demand [10,11,37]. Furthermore, research on comfort in energy studies demonstrate that new technologies and building fabrics impact expectations of home as well as what energy is used for [26,[38][39][40]. These socio-material changes thus can run counter to policy goals and reducing demand.…”

“…This example points to the way in which altering heating systems can impact on more than perceptions of thermal comfort to also shift family interactions, expectations of privacy and use of space in the home. Ellsworth-Krebs et al [38] found that installing microgeneration technologies did not happen in isolation, these were carried out at the same time as other home improvements such as adding a guest bedroom to make family visits easier or en-suites to provide more individual privacy. Home comfort, home-making and future housing aspirations [38,42] influence installation decisions and resulting energy patterns.…”

“…Ellsworth-Krebs et al [38] found that installing microgeneration technologies did not happen in isolation, these were carried out at the same time as other home improvements such as adding a guest bedroom to make family visits easier or en-suites to provide more individual privacy. Home comfort, home-making and future housing aspirations [38,42] influence installation decisions and resulting energy patterns.…”

Eco-Hammam: The Complexity of Accelerating the Ecological Transition of a Key Social Heritage Sector in Morocco

“…While many still follow a mainly technical approach to energy in buildings, the need to bring end users on board when seeking change to energy and environmental practices is now widely recognised. It has progressed beyond the simplistic 'behaviour change' expected of end users to embrace more participative and collaborative approaches [30,31].…”

Household Sharing for Carbon and Energy Reductions: The Case of EU Countries

“…Targeting the trend towards smaller households and under-occupation of homes in the EU and globally is a key option to reduce per capita carbon and energy contributions, with a higher mitigation potential compared to efficiency improvements such as upgrading the thermal insulation or more efficient appliances [42,63]. Understanding needs and expectations about personal space as well as changing social norms [18] are key for the upscaling of "downsizer homes" [63] and other alternatives to encourage within household sharing. Household sharing has an important gender dimension [53] as well; sharing may support the depersonalization of objects allowing for them to be managed and used jointly, thus encouraging even more (and more gender equal) sharing [53].…”