Younger vs. older homeowners in building energy-related renovations: learning from the portuguese case
Conference Paper
Overview
Research
View All
Overview
abstract
The interest in energy-related renovations varies among homeowners and depend not only
on personal and contextual factors but also on every-day life activities and social practices.
In addition, some studies suggest that the homeowner´s life stage have a significant role
in shaping this interest. This study aims to understand the influence of the homeowner’s
age on the motivation for energy-related renovations of Portuguese single-family buildings
and how this age is linked to the home-related and social practices that may encourage
these renovations. A survey together with a qualitative research method were used. The
younger Portuguese homeowners seems to be more environmentally conscious and adopt
“little-by-little” energy renovations. For the older, if energy-related renovations are
associated with aesthetics, indoor comfort conditions and sentimental meanings given to
the home, it is more likely these renovations happen. However, both generations can be
influenced by important life moments that trigger the renovation process.
