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An adopter-centric approach to analyze the diffusion patterns of innovative residential heating systems in Sweden

Abstract

Innovation and diffusion of renewable energy technologies play a major role in mitigation of climate change. In Sweden replacing electric and oil heating systems with innovative heating systems such as district heating, heat pumps and wood pellet boilers in detached homes is a significant mitigation option. Using an adopter-centric approach, we analyzed the influence of investment subsidy on conversion of resistance heaters and oil boilers, and the variation in diffusion pattern of district heating, heat pumps and pellet boilers in Swedish detached homes. Results from questionnaire surveys of 1500 randomly selected homeowners in September 2004 and January 2007 showed that more than 80% of the respondents did not intend to install a new heating system. Hence, about 37% of the homeowners still have electric and oil heating systems. The government investment subsidy was important for conversion from a resistance heater, but not from an oil boiler. This is because homeowners currently replacing their oil boilers are the laggards, while those replacing resistance heaters are the 'early adopters'. Economic aspects and functional reliability were the most important factors for the homeowners when considering a new heating system. There is a variation in the perceived advantages associated with each of the innovative  More>>
Authors:
Mahapatra, Krushna; Gustavsson, Leif [1] 
  1. Ecotechnology, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Oestersund (Sweden)
Publication Date:
Feb 15, 2008
Product Type:
Journal Article
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Energy Policy; Journal Volume: 36; Journal Issue: 2; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; SWEDEN; HEATING SYSTEMS; RESIDENTIAL SECTOR; DISTRICT HEATING; HEAT PUMPS; BOILERS; WOOD FUELS; OILS; INVESTMENT; OWNERSHIP
OSTI ID:
21007891
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: ISSN 0301-4215; ENPYAC; TRN: GB08V0408
Availability:
Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2007.10.006
Submitting Site:
GB
Size:
page(s) 577-590
Announcement Date:
Apr 21, 2008

Citation Formats

Mahapatra, Krushna, and Gustavsson, Leif. An adopter-centric approach to analyze the diffusion patterns of innovative residential heating systems in Sweden. United Kingdom: N. p., 2008. Web. doi:10.1016/J.ENPOL.2007.10.006.
Mahapatra, Krushna, & Gustavsson, Leif. An adopter-centric approach to analyze the diffusion patterns of innovative residential heating systems in Sweden. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2007.10.006
Mahapatra, Krushna, and Gustavsson, Leif. 2008. "An adopter-centric approach to analyze the diffusion patterns of innovative residential heating systems in Sweden." United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2007.10.006.
@misc{etde_21007891,
title = {An adopter-centric approach to analyze the diffusion patterns of innovative residential heating systems in Sweden}
author = {Mahapatra, Krushna, and Gustavsson, Leif}
abstractNote = {Innovation and diffusion of renewable energy technologies play a major role in mitigation of climate change. In Sweden replacing electric and oil heating systems with innovative heating systems such as district heating, heat pumps and wood pellet boilers in detached homes is a significant mitigation option. Using an adopter-centric approach, we analyzed the influence of investment subsidy on conversion of resistance heaters and oil boilers, and the variation in diffusion pattern of district heating, heat pumps and pellet boilers in Swedish detached homes. Results from questionnaire surveys of 1500 randomly selected homeowners in September 2004 and January 2007 showed that more than 80% of the respondents did not intend to install a new heating system. Hence, about 37% of the homeowners still have electric and oil heating systems. The government investment subsidy was important for conversion from a resistance heater, but not from an oil boiler. This is because homeowners currently replacing their oil boilers are the laggards, while those replacing resistance heaters are the 'early adopters'. Economic aspects and functional reliability were the most important factors for the homeowners when considering a new heating system. There is a variation in the perceived advantages associated with each of the innovative heating systems and therefore, the diffusion patterns of such systems vary. Installers and interpersonal sources were the most important communication channels for information on heating systems. (author)}
doi = {10.1016/J.ENPOL.2007.10.006}
journal = []
issue = {2}
volume = {36}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {2008}
month = {Feb}
}