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Heating system upgrades: The role of knowledge, socio-demographics, building attributes and energy infrastructure

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  • Curtis, John
  • McCoy, Daire
  • Aravena, Claudia

Abstract

In the context of moving to a low-carbon economy there is wide interest among policymakers to improve knowledge of decisions surrounding residential heating systems. This research examines four aspects of decision-making with respect to heating system upgrades: home-owner decisions on whether to upgrade, decisions on fuel choice, fuel switching patterns, and an examination of the reasons why home-owners make these decisions. Among the key findings are that proximity to energy infrastructure, e.g. gas network, is an important determinant of residential heating systems upgrades, including fuel choice. With one exception no clear trend emerges on the likelihood of a broad range of socio-demographic variables, including age, income, and working status on home-owner decisions. A cohort of home-owners defined across a few socio-demographic characteristics, including mortgage holders, are predisposed to investing in a heating system upgrade compared to their peers but for reasons unknown do not invest. We also find that environmental concerns, across a number of dimensions, are not an important determining factor in either the decision to upgrade or the subsequent choice of heating system. Information on heating system alternatives is critical for good decision-making but we find that home-owners do not always rely on independent energy consultants for guidance.

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  • Curtis, John & McCoy, Daire & Aravena, Claudia, 2018. "Heating system upgrades: The role of knowledge, socio-demographics, building attributes and energy infrastructure," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 183-196.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:120:y:2018:i:c:p:183-196
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.05.036
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    5. Schleich, Joachim & Faure, Corinne & Guetlein, Marie-Charlotte & Tu, Gengyang, 2020. "Household preferences for new heating systems: Insights from a multi-country discrete choice experiment," Working Papers "Sustainability and Innovation" S05/2020, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    6. Ortega-Izquierdo, Margarita & Paredes-Salvador, Andrés & Montoya-Rasero, Carlos, 2019. "Analysis of the decision making factors for heating and cooling systems in Spanish households," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 175-185.
    7. Akhatova, A. & Derkenbaeva, E. & van Leeuwen, E. & Kranzl, L. & Halleck Vega, S. & Hofstede, G.J., 2024. "Who invests in energy retrofits? Mining Dutch homeowners’ data," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    8. O'Malley, Seamus & Roantree, Barra & Curtis, John, 2020. "Carbon taxes, poverty and compensation options," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number SUSTAT98.
    9. Eakins, John & Sirr, Gordon & Power, Bernadette, 2023. "Informally sourced solid fuel use: Examining its extent and characteristics of the users in the residential sector in Ireland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    10. John Eakins & Bernadette Power & Gordon Sirr, 2024. "An Analysis of Households Choice of Solid Fuels as a Primary and Supplementary Heating Fuel," The Energy Journal, , vol. 45(2), pages 91-109, March.
    11. Jovović, Ivana & Cirman, Andreja & Hrovatin, Nevenka & Zorić, Jelena, 2023. "Do social capital and housing-related lifestyle foster energy-efficient retrofits? Retrospective panel data evidence from Slovenia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    12. Cha, Min-kyeong & Struthers, Cory L. & Brown, Marilyn A. & Kale, Snehal & Chapman, Oliver, 2024. "Toward residential decarbonization: Analyzing social-psychological drivers of household co-adoption of rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and efficient HVAC systems in Georgia, U.S," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    13. Curtis, John & Tovar, Miguel Angel & Grilli, Gianluca, 2020. "Access to and consumption of natural gas: Spatial and socio-demographic drivers," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    14. Emily Schulte & Fabian Scheller & Wilmer Pasut & Thomas Bruckner, 2021. "Product traits, decision-makers, and household low-carbon technology adoptions: moving beyond single empirical studies," Papers 2112.11867, arXiv.org.
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    16. David Huckebrink & Valentin Bertsch, 2021. "Integrating Behavioural Aspects in Energy System Modelling—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-26, July.

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