TY - JOUR

T1 - Low carbon heating and older adults

T2 - comfort,cosiness and glow

AU - Devine-Wright, P.

AU - Wrapson, W.

AU - Henshaw, V.

AU - Guy, S.

PY - 2014/5/4

Y1 - 2014/5/4

N2 - Policies to decarbonize heat provision involve the diffusion of low carbon thermal technologies (e.g. ground-source heat pumps and wood pellet boilers). In domestic buildings, such efforts presume the compatibility of novel technologies with practices of home-making, in terms of comfort, cosiness and sociability. However, research on engagement with low carbon technologies post-installation is limited, particularly with older adults, a growing social group in an ageing society. This study explores how older adults living with low carbon thermal technologies represent thermal comfort, drawing on in-depth interviews in diverse UK home environments (owner-occupied and rented; extra-care, sheltered and care homes; urban and rural). Findings indicate that cosiness and glow are highly valued by and for older adults, and achieved in diverse ways that may run counter to policy goals. In owner-occupied, rural homes, wood-burning stoves were retained after installation of under-floor heating/heat pumps to provide a visible glow and hospitality to guests. In care homes, fake fireplaces provide cosiness and glow without compromising concerns about risk. The research suggests that presumed emissions savings from the deployment of low carbon heating technologies may be overestimated, as home-making practices lead to the supplementing of these devices to provide comfort, cosiness and sociability.

AB - Policies to decarbonize heat provision involve the diffusion of low carbon thermal technologies (e.g. ground-source heat pumps and wood pellet boilers). In domestic buildings, such efforts presume the compatibility of novel technologies with practices of home-making, in terms of comfort, cosiness and sociability. However, research on engagement with low carbon technologies post-installation is limited, particularly with older adults, a growing social group in an ageing society. This study explores how older adults living with low carbon thermal technologies represent thermal comfort, drawing on in-depth interviews in diverse UK home environments (owner-occupied and rented; extra-care, sheltered and care homes; urban and rural). Findings indicate that cosiness and glow are highly valued by and for older adults, and achieved in diverse ways that may run counter to policy goals. In owner-occupied, rural homes, wood-burning stoves were retained after installation of under-floor heating/heat pumps to provide a visible glow and hospitality to guests. In care homes, fake fireplaces provide cosiness and glow without compromising concerns about risk. The research suggests that presumed emissions savings from the deployment of low carbon heating technologies may be overestimated, as home-making practices lead to the supplementing of these devices to provide comfort, cosiness and sociability.

KW - elderly people

KW - low carbon homes

KW - low carbon society

KW - occupant satisfaction

KW - space heating

KW - thermal comfort

KW - user needs

KW - ENERGY EFFICIENCY

KW - COMFORT

KW - CONSUMPTION

KW - BARRIERS

KW - ADOPTION

KW - PEOPLE

KW - HOMES

U2 - 10.1080/09613218.2014.883563

DO - 10.1080/09613218.2014.883563

M3 - Journal article

VL - 42

SP - 288

EP - 299

JO - Building Research and Information

JF - Building Research and Information

SN - 0961-3218

IS - 3

ER -