Where is the potential for deep (energy) renovations? A large-scale study of the renovation activities of Belgian households between 2018 and 2022

Abstract

To expedite the decarbonization of residential buildings, it is essential to focus on deep renovations due to their superior primary energy savings. However, detailed profiling of renovators and their activities remains underexplored. Therefore, this paper aims to expand our understanding of Belgian renovators by cross-referencing sociodemographic factors with renovation activities through a large-scale quantitative analysis. Utilizing two-sample proportion tests, the study demonstrates that, besides homeowner age, factors such as region, education level, type of ownership, and construction period result in distinct segments of renovators. The youngest generation (25–39 years), despite constituting the smallest demographic of homeowners, is identified as the most active renovator and is more inclined to undertake deep renovations. Nevertheless, potential lock-in effects remain. The oldest generation (55–74 years) requires additional motivation to engage in energy renovations and to undertake multiple renovation works. The distinct segments of renovators identified in this study provide a clearer understanding of where bottlenecks and opportunities exist for promoting deep renovation. These insights allow Belgian governments and businesses to develop tailored communication and incentive programs, effectively addressing the specific needs of various renovator groups and facilitating a more rapid uptake of retrofitting by homeowners.