ENERGIX-Stort program energi

The project Energy saving technologies in households: The heat pump, aims at analysing how a specific energy saving technology affects energy consumption in households. The heat pump is one, potentially very important contributor to a future low carbon so ciety, in Norway as well as in Europe. The main research questions are "how do heat pumps influence energy use in households in Norway and Denmark?" and "why do instalments yield these results?" Danish research points to a discrepancy between theoretical and real savings, and Norwegian statistics indicate similar findings here. For both countries, the focus is on air-to-air heat pumps. Employing a practice theory approach, we want to explain the gap between technological and social reality by investigati ng the possible role of increased comfort. Material for the study will be produced through three separate empirical studies. First, we will perform a desktop study, where secondary analysis of previously collected material is the main feature. Second, we want to do rather thorough field studies, in the homes of some respondents, in order to analyse how their day-to-day interaction with their heat pumps actually is. This is the part where we want to use the theoretical resources of practice theory, in ord er to analyse the ordinary energy consumption of households with heat pumps (if possible with attention to energy bills prior to and after installation). Third, we will perform a series of stakeholder interviews, built on what we have learned so far from secondary analysis and from field studies. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (importer, installers, retailers etc.) will focus on marketing, marketing strategies, stakeholders? views on future potential, possible constraints and problems. In ad dition to the academic dissemination of results through articles and conference papers, we will arrange a closing seminar where we try to involve stakeholders as well as the more general public.