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Homeowners’ Willingness to Make Investment in Energy Efficiency Retrofit of Residential Buildings in China and Its Influencing Factors

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  • Ce Huang

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Jiefang Ma

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Kun Song

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

In China, energy efficiency retrofit of residential buildings is entering a new stage in which homeowners are the main subject. In order to investigate homeowners’ willingness to invest and to analyze its influencing factors, interviews and a questionnaire survey were conducted in central Tianjin, China. The results show that homeowners have a certain willingness to invest in energy efficiency retrofit but that their willingness to pay (WTP) is far from enough to cover the total cost. Among the influencing factors, the homeowner’s age, education level, and retrofit experience as well as the age and floor area of their home are significantly related to their WTP. The reasons for the impact of these factors are further discussed, including the influences of China’s previous housing policies and retrofit policies. Policy recommendations to promote investment by homeowners are suggested based on the findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Ce Huang & Jiefang Ma & Kun Song, 2021. "Homeowners’ Willingness to Make Investment in Energy Efficiency Retrofit of Residential Buildings in China and Its Influencing Factors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:5:p:1260-:d:505678
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jiefang Ma & Queena Kun Qian & Henk Visscher & Kun Song, 2022. "Barriers for Homeowners in Decisions to Undertake Government-Led Energy Efficiency Renovation Projects in Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Yu Cao & Cong Xu & Syahrul Nizam Kamaruzzaman & Nur Mardhiyah Aziz, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Green Building Development in China: Advantages, Challenges and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-29, September.
    3. Jiefang Ma & Queena Kun Qian & Henk Visscher & Kun Song, 2021. "Homeowners’ Participation in Energy Efficient Renovation Projects in China’s Northern Heating Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-37, August.
    4. Seif Khiati & Rafik Belarbi & Ammar Yahia, 2023. "Sustainable Buildings: A Choice, or a Must for Our Future?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-5, March.
    5. Kaya, O. & Klepacka, A.M. & Florkowski, W.J., 2021. "The role of personal and environmental factors in rural homeowner decision to insulate; an example from Poland," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    6. Łukasz Mazur & Anna Bać & Magdalena Daria Vaverková & Jan Winkler & Aleksandra Nowysz & Eugeniusz Koda, 2022. "Evaluation of the Quality of the Housing Environment Using Multi-Criteria Analysis That Includes Energy Efficiency: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-24, October.

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