A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Increasing homeowners’ insulation activity in Germany: An empirically grounded agent-based model analysis
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2724-3665
Highlights A survey on homeowners’ decision-making processes regarding insulation was conducted. A model was developed to evaluate policies designed to increase insulation activity. Homeowners’ insulation decisions are largely unaffected by their financial resources. Homeowners’ attitudes affect their decision-making regarding wall insulation. Introducing a wall insulation obligation when ownership changes is recommended.
Abstract In Germany, doubling today’s insulation rate of about 1% is an important element for reaching the government’s target of reducing the demand for energy in the housing sector by 80% by 2050. A survey among 275 private homeowners was conducted to better understand their insulation activity. The results were incorporated into an agent-based model, which was applied to evaluate new policy options. The results of the survey show that policies should focus on homeowners’ wall insulation activity. Homeowners’ decision-making processes regarding insulation are largely unaffected by their financial resources, which raises the question of the usefulness of financial incentives. In contrast, non-economic factors were found to have a statistically significant influence: in the year following a house ownership change, a comparatively large number of insulation projects are carried out. The probability of insulating walls can be predicted from knowing the homeowner’s age, attitude towards insulation, and the structural condition of the walls. The simulations indicate that information instruments lead to a comparatively small increase in the wall insulation rate, while obligating new homeowners to insulate the walls within the first year after moving in has the potential to increase the total insulation rate by up to 40%.
Increasing homeowners’ insulation activity in Germany: An empirically grounded agent-based model analysis
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2724-3665
Highlights A survey on homeowners’ decision-making processes regarding insulation was conducted. A model was developed to evaluate policies designed to increase insulation activity. Homeowners’ insulation decisions are largely unaffected by their financial resources. Homeowners’ attitudes affect their decision-making regarding wall insulation. Introducing a wall insulation obligation when ownership changes is recommended.
Abstract In Germany, doubling today’s insulation rate of about 1% is an important element for reaching the government’s target of reducing the demand for energy in the housing sector by 80% by 2050. A survey among 275 private homeowners was conducted to better understand their insulation activity. The results were incorporated into an agent-based model, which was applied to evaluate new policy options. The results of the survey show that policies should focus on homeowners’ wall insulation activity. Homeowners’ decision-making processes regarding insulation are largely unaffected by their financial resources, which raises the question of the usefulness of financial incentives. In contrast, non-economic factors were found to have a statistically significant influence: in the year following a house ownership change, a comparatively large number of insulation projects are carried out. The probability of insulating walls can be predicted from knowing the homeowner’s age, attitude towards insulation, and the structural condition of the walls. The simulations indicate that information instruments lead to a comparatively small increase in the wall insulation rate, while obligating new homeowners to insulate the walls within the first year after moving in has the potential to increase the total insulation rate by up to 40%.
Increasing homeowners’ insulation activity in Germany: An empirically grounded agent-based model analysis
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2724-3665
Highlights A survey on homeowners’ decision-making processes regarding insulation was conducted. A model was developed to evaluate policies designed to increase insulation activity. Homeowners’ insulation decisions are largely unaffected by their financial resources. Homeowners’ attitudes affect their decision-making regarding wall insulation. Introducing a wall insulation obligation when ownership changes is recommended.
Abstract In Germany, doubling today’s insulation rate of about 1% is an important element for reaching the government’s target of reducing the demand for energy in the housing sector by 80% by 2050. A survey among 275 private homeowners was conducted to better understand their insulation activity. The results were incorporated into an agent-based model, which was applied to evaluate new policy options. The results of the survey show that policies should focus on homeowners’ wall insulation activity. Homeowners’ decision-making processes regarding insulation are largely unaffected by their financial resources, which raises the question of the usefulness of financial incentives. In contrast, non-economic factors were found to have a statistically significant influence: in the year following a house ownership change, a comparatively large number of insulation projects are carried out. The probability of insulating walls can be predicted from knowing the homeowner’s age, attitude towards insulation, and the structural condition of the walls. The simulations indicate that information instruments lead to a comparatively small increase in the wall insulation rate, while obligating new homeowners to insulate the walls within the first year after moving in has the potential to increase the total insulation rate by up to 40%.
Increasing homeowners’ insulation activity in Germany: An empirically grounded agent-based model analysis
Friege, Jonas (author)
Energy and Buildings ; 128 ; 756-771
2016-07-16
16 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English