Diverse profiles and solutions for home renovations

On Tuesday, March 3, Iris Loche, a postdoc at Just Prepare at Eindhoven University of Technology, presented the results of her research on energy sufficiency in residential renovations to a multidisciplinary audience of researchers. The researchers gathered to discuss the theme “Energy Transition in the Built Environment,” which is coordinated by Roel Loonen and Lenneke Kuijer as part of the Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES).  

 

Iris investigated whether incorporating more diverse resident profiles affects renovation decisions when implementing low-temperature district heating networks. Renovations are currently often planned based on standard resident profiles, while residents’ actual behavior is much more diverse. While an extensive renovation often seems like the best option on paper based on the standard profile, incorporating more diverse profiles can lead to different decisions. The study examined the effectiveness of the renovation in terms of energy consumption, as well as payback time, disruption to residents, and the carbon footprint of the materials used. Preliminary results suggest that households with a temperature preference lower than the standard 20°C throughout the home often benefit more from a less extensive renovation. The final results of the study are expected in the coming months and will, of course, be shared on the Just Prepare website.