Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Home comfort and “peak household”
T2 - implications for energy demand
AU - Ellsworth-Krebs, Katherine
AU - Reid, Louise
AU - Hunter, Colin J.
N1 - This research was funded by a PhD studentship at the University of St Andrews.
PY - 2021/1/1
Y1 - 2021/1/1
N2 - 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 decarbonize energy. The paper argues that domestic energy research must engage with the dreams, aspirations, and images of home that ultimately drive 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 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.
AB - 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 decarbonize energy. The paper argues that domestic energy research must engage with the dreams, aspirations, and images of home that ultimately drive 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 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.
KW - Domestic energy research
KW - Home improvement
KW - Home comfort
KW - Privacy
KW - Retrofit
KW - Renovation
U2 - 10.1080/14036096.2019.1694579
DO - 10.1080/14036096.2019.1694579
M3 - Journal article
VL - 38
SP - 1
EP - 20
JO - Housing, Theory and Society
JF - Housing, Theory and Society
SN - 1403-6096
IS - 1
ER -