What is energy know-how and how can it be shared and acquired by householders?

Burchell, K., Rettie, R. and Roberts, T.C. 2015. What is energy know-how and how can it be shared and acquired by householders? ECEEE Summer Study: First fuel now. Belambra Les Criques, Toulon/Hyères, France 01 - 06 Jun 2015 ECEEE.

TitleWhat is energy know-how and how can it be shared and acquired by householders?
AuthorsBurchell, K., Rettie, R. and Roberts, T.C.
TypeConference paper
Abstract

Our aim in this short paper is to contribute to conceptual, practical and policy discussions about the role of householder knowledge in the context of policy ambitions to reduce domestic energy consumption. More specifically, we are interested in the characteristics of this knowledge, the ways in which householders acquire such knowledge, and the kinds of activities and policies that might support this. Within this context, literacy approaches emphasise factual knowledge, cognitive reasoning, and ideal attitudes and behaviours; within this mainstream approach, education and communications are key policy recommendations. In contrast, know-how approaches are critical of literacy approaches and emphasise practical skills, experience and guidance. Key policy recommendations focus on tailored guidance delivered through activities such as demonstration homes and home audits. Smart Communities was a community action and action research project on energy demand reduction. The activities in the project drew on both literacy and know-how approaches, and the research methods focussed on in-depth interviews, a survey and informal interactions with project participants and partners. The project strongly supports the ideas that are expressed in the know-how literature, but also highlights the practical challenge of scaling-up activities such as home visits. Meanwhile, approaches that drew on literacy approaches produced less change, but were easier to implement at scale. In our discussion, we raise the need for know-how approaches to be more adequately supported in policy, and the need to investigate and experiment with novel approaches that would allow these activities to be scaled-up. In support of these objectives, we present a concise expression of the concept of energy know-how. In addition, we suggest that the know-how literature is perhaps overly critical of the literacy approach, and we discuss some ways in which literacy approaches can be more effective.

Keywordsenergy consumption, energy behaviour, knowledge, know-how
Year2015
ConferenceECEEE Summer Study: First fuel now
PublisherECEEE
Publisher's version
Publication dates
Completed01 Jun 2015
Journal citationpp. 1979-1990
ISSN2001-7960
Book titleECEEE Summer Study proceedings: First fuel now, 1–6 June 2015, Belambra Les Criques, Toulon/Hyères, France
ISBN9789198048278
FunderESRC
Web address (URL)http://www.psi.org.uk/site/project_detail/smart_communities_working_together_to_save_energy

Related outputs

A ‘work in progress’?: UK researchers and participation in public engagement
Burchell, K., Sheppard, C. and Chambers, J. 2017. A ‘work in progress’?: UK researchers and participation in public engagement. Research For All. 1 (1), pp. 198-224. https://doi.org/10.18546/RFA.01.1.16

Urban Heat: developing the role of community groups in local climate resilience
Burchell, K., Fagan-Watson, B. and Watson, T. 2017. Urban Heat: developing the role of community groups in local climate resilience. London Policy Studies Institute.

Householder engagement with energy consumption feedback: the role of community action and communications
Burchell, K., Rettie, R. and Roberts, T.C. 2016. Householder engagement with energy consumption feedback: the role of community action and communications. Energy Policy. 88, pp. 178-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.10.019

Heatwave planning: the role of the community in co-producing resilience
Fagan-Watson, B. and Burchell, K. 2016. Heatwave planning: the role of the community in co-producing resilience . Building Research and Information. 44 (7), pp. 754-763. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2016.1209626

What does community resilience look like in practice? How institutions see the role of communities in responding to heatwaves in the UK
Fagan-Watson, B. and Burchell, K. 2015. What does community resilience look like in practice? How institutions see the role of communities in responding to heatwaves in the UK. Architecture and Resilience on a Human Scale. University of Sheffield, UK 10 - 12 Sep 2015 The School of Architecture, University of Sheffield.

Factors affecting public engagement by researchers
Hamlyn, B., Shanahan, M., Lewis, H., O’Donoghue, E., Hanson, T. and Burchell, K. 2015. Factors affecting public engagement by researchers. London TNS-BMRB.

Factors affecting public engagement by researchers: literature review
Burchell, K. 2015. Factors affecting public engagement by researchers: literature review. London Policy Studies Institute.

Community, the very idea!: perspectives of participants in a demand-side community energy project
Burchell, K., Rettie, R. and Roberts, T.C. 2014. Community, the very idea!: perspectives of participants in a demand-side community energy project. People, Place and Policy. 8 (3), pp. 168-179. https://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0008.0003.0003

Working together to save energy? Report of the Smart Communities project
Burchell, K., Rettie, R. and Roberts, T. 2014. Working together to save energy? Report of the Smart Communities project. London Kingston University.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/q17q0/what-is-energy-know-how-and-how-can-it-be-shared-and-acquired-by-householders


Share this

Usage statistics

257 total views
187 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.