Identification of the behavioural factors in the decision-making processes of the energy efficiency renovations

Identification of the behavioural factors in the decision-making processes of the energy efficiency renovations: Dutch homeowners

Ebrahimigharehbaghi, S. (TU Delft Housing Quality and Process Innovation)
Qian, QK (TU Delft Housing Quality and Process Innovation)
de Vries, G. (TU Delft Organisation & Governance)
Visscher, H.J. (TU Delft Housing Quality and Process Innovation)

2021

Over half of all residential buildings in the Netherlands are owner-occupied. In this study, the influence of behavioural factors on individual decisions toward energy efficiency renovations (EERs) was investigated. This study focused on contextual (e.g. building characteristics), personal (e.g. awareness of energy consumption), and motivational factors (e.g. improving comfort). Logistic regression analyses were selected as the preferred method of analysis. The Netherlands’s housing survey energy modules, which was conducted in 2018, was the basis of these analyses. 2878 homeowners were surveyed. Behavioural factors that influence the homeowners’ decisions were investigated for four types of EERs: (1) double glazing, (2) insulation, (3) photovoltaic (PV) panel, and (4) sustainable heating. It was found that homeowners’ preferences for double glazing were mainly influenced by the characteristics of the building and household and motivation to adopt EERs. Similarly, insulation and PV panels were to be mainly influenced by building characteristics. For sustainable heating, a combination of building and household characteristics and personal factors (e.g. deliberate gas reduction) influenced the decisions regarding this EER. None of the personal factors had a significant impact on the decisions regarding installation of double glazing; in contrast, the installation of PV panels was found to be highly influenced by these factors.

behaviour-influencing factor
Energy efficiency
owner-occupied sector
renovation
residential sector
the Netherlands

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7320ee41-41ed-4113-b535-e82be5abecde

https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2021.1929808

0961-3218

Building Research and Information: the international journal of research, development and demonstration, 50 (4), 369-393

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2021 S. Ebrahimigharehbaghi, QK Qian, G. de Vries, H.J. Visscher