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Performance Gap and Occupant Behavior in Building Retrofit: Focus on Dynamics of Change and Continuity in the Practice of Indoor Heating

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Salvia

    (LabSimUrb, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Eugenio Morello

    (LabSimUrb, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Federica Rotondo

    (LabSimUrb, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Andrea Sangalli

    (End-use Efficiency Research Group, Energy Department (DENG), Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Francesco Causone

    (End-use Efficiency Research Group, Energy Department (DENG), Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Silvia Erba

    (End-use Efficiency Research Group, Energy Department (DENG), Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milano, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Pagliano

    (End-use Efficiency Research Group, Energy Department (DENG), Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

Building retrofit is often reported to fail in achieving predicted energy savings; this mismatch in post-retrofit conditions is labeled the ‘energy performance gap’ and may be due to both occupant behavior and technical issues. In this study, the occupant is investigated through a case study of a recently retrofitted public housing in Milan inhabited by 500+ tenants. Informed by social practice theory and interviews to households, concurrent and interdependent elements in heating space are identified—including factors of comfort, competences involved and other interconnected practices. Patterns of continuity and change in setting thermal conditions in this retrofitted building emerge. In this respect, key dynamics of the occupants are related to rooted habits in managing heating, social norms of thermal comfort, mastered skills in dealing with technical devices and infrastructure and ways of organizing other routines such as laundry and forms of entertainment when services are limitedly accessible. The results inform plans for energy efficiency through building retrofit in which the integration of the social dimension and practices may contribute to maximizing the impact of the intervention and to limiting energy performance gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Salvia & Eugenio Morello & Federica Rotondo & Andrea Sangalli & Francesco Causone & Silvia Erba & Lorenzo Pagliano, 2020. "Performance Gap and Occupant Behavior in Building Retrofit: Focus on Dynamics of Change and Continuity in the Practice of Indoor Heating," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:14:p:5820-:d:386891
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Silvia Erba & Lorenzo Pagliano, 2021. "Combining Sufficiency, Efficiency and Flexibility to Achieve Positive Energy Districts Targets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-32, August.
    2. Schmidt, Karolin & Kösling, Philipp & Bamberg, Sebastian & Blöbaum, Anke, 2022. "A Prospect Theory-based experimental vignette methodology for exploring rebound effects and rebound-damping interventions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Jacopo Gaspari & Ernesto Antonini & Lia Marchi & Vincenzo Vodola, 2021. "Energy Transition at Home: A Survey on the Data and Practices That Lead to a Change in Household Energy Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, May.
    4. Francesco Causone & Rossano Scoccia & Martina Pelle & Paola Colombo & Mario Motta & Sibilla Ferroni, 2021. "Neighborhood Energy Modeling and Monitoring: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Rainisio, Nicola & Boffi, Marco & Pola, Linda & Inghilleri, Paolo & Sergi, Ilaria & Liberatori, Maura, 2022. "The role of gender and self-efficacy in domestic energy saving behaviors: A case study in Lombardy, Italy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    6. Lo Piano, S. & Smith, S.T., 2022. "Energy demand and its temporal flexibility: Approaches, criticalities and ways forward," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    7. Federica Rotondo & Francesca Abastante & Giancarlo Cotella & Isabella Maria Lami, 2020. "Questioning Low-Carbon Transition Governance: A Comparative Analysis of European Case Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.

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