Christie, L; Donn, M and Walton, D (2011) The'apparent disconnect' towards the adoption of energy-e/cient technologies. Building Research & Information, 39(5), pp. 450-458. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Why are homeowners not adopting energy-efficiency technologies when these not only reduce environmental problems, but also improve health, comfort, economic and social well-being? Homeowners declare an apparent preference for energy-efficiency. However, there are apparent inconsistencies in their decisions and actions, as demonstrated by the lack of success of numerous intervention schemes. The motivations behind this apparent reluctance to adopt energyefficiency technologies are investigated. A large proportion of homeowners demonstrate apparently unreasonable behaviour due to an exaggerated perception of risk. These risk perceptions are found to be caused by numerous social and cognitive biases that affect their decisions and make homeowners' current situation - their status quo - appear the 'safest' option. To deliver change at both policy and practical levels, it will be vital to understand the apparently irrational motivations behind homeowners' decisions and how the perception of change can be minimized.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | energy demand; energy-efficiency; households; inhabitant behaviour; motivation; risk; sustainability |
| Index terms: | option, inhabitant behaviour, preference, comfort, household, well-being, bias, motivation, homeowner, risk perception, energy demand, efficiency |
| Subjects: | psychology, energy systems, mental health and wellbeing, demography, occupational health and safety management, decision analysis, sociology, environmental hazards, decision-making and reasoning, performance management, probability and distributions |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Urban Studies, Quality Management, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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