Unveiling the perspectives of Swedish homeowners on embracing space sufficiency within the context of energy renovation

Abstract

Buildings significantly impact environmental sustainability and resource consumption, highlighting the urgent need for holistic and sustainable approaches within the built environment. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining focus groups and online surveys to examine the willingness of Single-Family Housing (SFH) owners in Sweden’s Kronoberg Region to adopt space sufficiency interventions during energy renovations and using the Attitude-Behavior-Context (ABC) theoretical framework to identify the factors influencing these decisions. The interventions studied include downsizing, optimizing space use, and converting underutilized areas into smaller living units, aiming to reduce per-capita energy consumption, and decrease both operational and embodied carbon emissions.The findings reveal low interest among SFH owners in adopting these measures, primarily due to concerns about lifestyle changes, loss of comfort, privacy, status, and property value depreciation. While personal and psychological factors play a role in adoption, external factors—such as regulatory policies, economic incentives, social norms, and technical solutions—are often more critical, either facilitating or hindering the implementation of sufficiency measures. The study also highlights that homeowners with larger, child-free properties are more receptive to sufficiency interventions, suggesting that life stage significantly influences readiness for change.The study calls for a systemic approach that promotes behavioral, normative, and cultural shifts through comprehensive regulations, policies, and incentives, creating the necessary conditions for broad adoption. Tailored design proposals and support structures, such as One-Stop Shop (OSS) models, are crucial in guiding homeowners through the transition. Government involvement is essential in establishing the frameworks needed to drive sufficiency, transforming homes from static to dynamic structures that evolve with changing household needs. Promoting flexible design, innovative policies, and financial incentives is vital for increasing adoption, with early adopters playing a pivotal role in accelerating market acceptance.