Housing energy-related renovations from a lifestyle and social standards perspective: insights from Portuguese homeowners
Academic ArticleConference Paper
Recent studies argue that energy-related renovations which are
not distinctive from other house improvements must be socially
contextualized and intercepted with the householders’ daily social
practices. Within a practice-theory approach, this study aims to explore
how tastes, lifestyles and social values and norms can be brought into the
understandings of energy renovation practices of Portuguese homeowners.
The outcomes disclosed differentiated taste-motivated issues which boost
homeowners to renovate. This highlighted the importance of energy
policy-makers understand the diversity of homeowners’ desires and
preferences regarding house renovation activities. Reflecting upon this
diversity inside the household domain, gender differences revealed to be a
significant factor, being women an undervalued resource despite their key
influence on domestic energy management. Results also reinforce previous
theories about how home renovations decisions reflects societal values and
norms which determined “what would look nice” to have in a house and
which determine, in part, why visible renovations are so prioritized,
frequently not energy-related. Findings suggested also that energy policies
should be drawn making energy efficiency in houses as fashionable as
other consumer goods related with home design. Innovative partnerships
between energy policy-makers and household products industries, home
design magazines, marketing experts or real estate experts, which have the
know-how on shaping people’s tendencies and tastes, are needed
