House owners and energy: Retrofit, renovation and getting house performance

Kay Saville-Smith.

This report summarises three surveys of homeowner groups in New Zealand: high energy users, recent movers, landlords. It focuses on awareness, attitudes and efforts toward renovation, and willingness to pay for renovation.

High energy users resist investment in retrofitting and do not select resource efficient homes. Despite higher energy expenditure and incomes, householders accept mould, damp and cold and make little improvement.

Recent movers resist significant investment in retrofitting but attempt to select resource efficient houses. They spend a relatively high amount on renovation but are not aware of low cost options to increase energy efficiency and comfort.

Landlords resist investment in retrofitting and unresponsiveness to tenant demands or advice from professional bodies. Landlords report that they would renovate with financial assistance.