In this paper, we examine how occupants and their dwellings adapt to reduce home energy consumption. Our analysis is informed by recent studies which emphasize the materiality of the home, as well as the impact of technological change within the home. Such approaches are important in clarifying the relationship between home design and home practices, as well as understanding processes of change such as sustainable home adaptation. Drawing on people's experiences of installing solar hot water systems, we found that sustainable home adaptation was not a straightforward process whereby occupant aspirations were delivered through building adaptation, but rather adaptation arose from the differing capacities and practices of occupants and their buildings, and how these were negotiated over time. In particular, we found that successful adaptations were dependent on the integration of the occupant's "folk knowledge" of their home along with the "technical knowledge" provided by tradespeople, suppliers or the occupant themselves. In contrast to mid-century Australian housing new sustainable modes of living demand: working knowledge of the dwelling, reflection on home practices, and case-specific adjustments of dwellings that reflect the needs and capacities of occupants.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy use, household energy, housing, material culture, suburban area, sustainability, technological change
Research Division:	Studies in Human Society
Research Group:	Policy and Administration
Research Field:	Social Policy
Objective Division:	Energy
Objective Group:	Environmentally Sustainable Energy Activities
Objective Field:	Environmentally Sustainable Energy Activities not elsewhere classified
Author:	Gabriel, M (Dr Michelle Gabriel)
Author:	Watson, P (Ms Phillipa Watson)
ID Code:	87534
Year Published:	2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:	2
Deposited By:	Social Sciences
Deposited On:	2013-11-21
Last Modified:	2015-02-11
Downloads:	3 View Download Statistics