Ebrahimigharehbaghi, S; Qian, Q K; de Vries, G and Visscher, H J (2022) Identification of the behavioural factors in the decision-making processes of the energy efficiency renovations: Dutch homeowners. Building Research & Information, 50(4), pp. 369-393. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
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.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | behaviour-influencing factor; energy efficiency; owner-occupied sector; renovation; residential sector; the Netherlands |
| Index terms: | module, comfort, photovoltaic, renovation, logistic regression analysis, energy consumption, household, insulation, influencing factor, energy efficiency, residential building, decision-making process, owner, glazing, housing, preference, survey, homeowner, motivation, Netherlands |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, construction type, risk assessment, energy systems, building materials, sustainability and energy, psychology, Geography, decision-making and reasoning, renovation and retrofit, architectural elements, statistical analysis, decision analysis, sociology, demography, occupational health and safety management |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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