Abstract
Buildings in Canada account for a significant amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and net zero energy building technology has been identified as part of the solution. This study presents a conceptual model identifying barriers to the adoption of net zero energy housing and tests it by administering a survey to 271 participants in a net zero energy housing demonstration project in Toronto, Canada. Using multivariate correlation and multi-linear regression analyses this study finds that of all the innovation adoption variables it was the construction and design quality that was the most significant contributor to the adoption of a net zero energy home by a potential home owner. This study found that the (a) extra cost compared to a conventional home, b) lack of knowledge about the technology associated with a net zero energy home or (c) not knowing someone who owned a net zero energy home were not significant barriers to accepting net zero energy homes. Our results suggest that policy-makers should promote the diffusion of net zero energy home technology by encouraging housing developers to include net zero energy homes in their collection of model homes, with an emphasis on quality design and construction. Furthermore, engaging in trust building initiatives such as education and knowledge about the technology, its related energy cost savings, and the environmental benefits would contribute to a greater acceptance of net zero energy homes.
Highlights
With climate change becoming a serious challenge for society, both industry and academia have prioritized the study of technologies to address climate change
A favorable assessment of quality was supported by their willingness to consider purchasing a home like this the larger standard deviation suggests greater variance in choice that may be due to sensitivity to the house cost given that slightly more people felt that the cost of the home might be a barrier to buying a net zero energy home
While the literature on barriers to market adoption of net zero energy homes generally represents the perception of those within the real estate or construction industries, this study examines barriers from a potential home buyer’s perspective after being exposed to a net zero energy home
Summary
In 2013, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/statistics/trends/ 2015/totalsectors.cfm#L1 last accessed on Sept 11, 2019)), a federal government ministry, funded a net zero energy home demonstration project with Owens Corning Canada that resulted in five homebuilders in four provinces, building a number of single family houses and townhomes, and one multi-unit residential building. These homes were completed in 2016 but the performance results have yet to be made public. We conclude by addressing the implications for developers and planners in the residential building sector arising from our study, and propose additional research that would assist in dealing with identified limitations in our research
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