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Housing renovations and energy efficiency: insights from homeowners' practices Judson, E and Maller, C 2014, 'Housing renovations and energy efficiency: insights from homeowners' practices', Building Research & Information, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 501-511. Document type: Journal Article Collection: Journal Articles Title Housing renovations and energy efficiency: insights from homeowners' practices Author(s) Judson, E Maller, C Year 2014 Journal name Building Research & Information Volume number 42 Issue number 4 Start page 501 End page 511 Total pages 11 Publisher Routledge Abstract Renovation/retrofit is a key policy measure to reduce energy and emissions in existing residential stock. Existing approaches are typically based on assumptions about individual attitudes and technical-rational models, reliant on regulations and incentive programmes to influence homeowner behaviour. However, insufficient evaluation, together with inadequate attention given to the social dimensions of renovation, result in considerable uncertainty over the effectiveness of such policies. Drawing on ethnographic case studies informed by theories of social practice, this paper examines to what extent low energy and other environmental concerns come into play in renovations when they are conceptualized as social practices. A practice theory approach is adopted to analyze the intersection of renovations with homeowners practices. The analysis highlights the disparity between policy intentions for energy efficiency and everyday life. Findings reveal retrofit practices are mediated by the performance of practices comprising daily routines, both current and those anticipated in the future. Current policies and programmes focused on technical interventions to improve energy efficiency will have limited reach and impact. Instead, it is suggested, among other interventions, that policies to reduce the environmental impact of housing should be reframed around and positioned to address the mundane practices of everyday life. Subject Urban Analysis and Development Social Theory Keyword(s) Energy efficiency Homeowners Housing Occupant behaviour Public policy Renovation Retrofit Social practice theory DOI - identifier 10.1080/09613218.2014.894808 Copyright notice © 2014 Taylor & Francis ISSN 0961-3218 Related Links Link Description http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2014.894808 Link to Published Version   Versions Version Filter Type Tue, 21 Oct 2014, 08:54:09 EST Wed, 22 Oct 2014, 07:30:10 EST Filtered Full Citation counts:   Cited 34 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article | Citations Cited 24 times in Scopus Article | Citations Altmetric details: Access Statistics: 156 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics Created: Tue, 21 Oct 2014, 08:06:00 EST by Catalyst Administrator