Home comfort and “peak household” : implications for energy demand
Abstract
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.
Citation
Ellsworth-Krebs , K , Reid , L & Hunter , C J 2019 , ' Home comfort and “peak household” : implications for energy demand ' , Housing, Theory and Society , vol. Latest Articles . https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2019.1694579
Publication
Housing, Theory and Society
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1403-6096Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2019 IBF, The Institute for Housing and Urban Research. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2019.1694579
Description
This research was funded by a PhD studentship at the University of St Andrews.Collections
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