Improving energy and environmental performance in the built environment has become an increasingly important objective for governments around the world in efforts to achieve sustainability, and to transition to a low-carbon future in response to prevailing concerns about global climate change. Attention has recently turned to the existing building stock, which offers potential for reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions but also presents significant challenges. Although renovation of existing dwellings, including retrofitting, has become a key strand of policy, little attention has been given to how this is achieved in practice, and with this, the implications for buildings with cultural heritage significance. Previous student have largely concentrated on technical aspects relating to energy efficiency and thermal performance of the building envelope and mechanical systems, and factors influencing occupants’ behaviours. These approaches have limitations as they tend to overlook the social and cultural aspects of housing improvement, which are increasingly recognised as being important in energy use. This thesis investigates home-renovation practices in heritage housing and the alignment or otherwise of built heritage and energy efficiency ambitions of owner occupiers seeking to renovate their heritage dwellings. Drawing on theories of social practice for the analytical framework, the study examines the mechanisms shaping renovation activities and how these intersect in heritage dwellings. Using an ethnographic case study approach, the research draws on qualitative interviews and walk-through home tours with home-renovators in Victoria, Australia, who have embarked on a process to improve environmental performance. In exploring the experience of homeowners, attention is given to the common understandings, competencies and material infrastructures that influence renovation of heritage dwellings. The study discusses how householders balance emerging requirements for energy performance with retaining heritage significance, and other needs and aspirations. The findings provide insight into the importance of understandings and meaning of heritage in shaping renovation practice. Renovation practice is significantly affected by household expectations and conventions relating to comfort, cleanliness and convenience, and my only be tangentially related to environmental objectives. In conclusion, the thesis highlights the need to understand homeowner renovation practices and has repercussions for both environmental performance and heritage significance. Implications for policy are discussed.
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