A relational approach to characterizing householder perceptions of disruption in heat transitions
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Heat decarbonization threatens substantial disruptions in temperate countries. However, the concept of disruption carries diverse meanings, potentially relating to cost, material space and everyday heating practices. Here, using interpretive risk theory, this article elucidates a relational understanding of how disruption is experienced and takes on meaning in everyday life. We deploy this framework to examine perceptions of four low-carbon heating technologies—heat pumps, hydrogen, hybrid heating and heat networks—alongside associated upgrades to distribution network infrastructure. Drawing on data from six, 1-day workshops representing a diversity of geographic and housing contexts across the United Kingdom, we address how existing relationships shape hopes, fears and expectations for heat decarbonization. Our findings help clarify the role of affective relationships, feelings of precarity, security and pressure in distinguishing material inconveniences from more fundamental disruptions to valued ways of life, and may be particularly relevant in other gas-dependent countries and regions.
Date Issued
2024-05-01
Date Acceptance
2024-03-13
Citation
Nature Energy, 2024, 9 (5), pp.570-579
ISSN
2058-7546
Publisher
Nature Research
Start Page
570
End Page
579
Journal / Book Title
Nature Energy
Volume
9
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
License URL
Identifier
10.1038/s41560-024-01506-w
Subjects
CHOICE
ENERGY
Energy & Fuels
Materials Science
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Science & Technology
Technology
VALUES
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2024-04-23