Process perspective on homeowner energy retrofits: A qualitative metasynthesis

EU policy recognises the importance of encouraging low-carbon retrofit among homeowners to reduce operational energy use in dwellings and mitigate climate change. Building research has traditionally focused on identification drivers barriers, strengthen former later. However valuable static juxtaposition barriers may be, it cannot capture their temporal dynamics during a process. Recent emphasises repeatedly that retrofits should be understood as dynamic processes unfold over extended periods time. This paper presents metasynthesis qualitative case studies single-family owner-occupied dwellings. A process perspective is used between socio-technical aspects built environment shape depth post-retrofit. Metasynthesis results show that: (i) prior homeowner knowledge about plays significant role technological solution achieved retrofit; (ii) actual post-retrofit depends extent owners’ involvement development design solutions. These findings have important implications for uptake support household transition living.