Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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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 -