Renovation status and technical condition of Norwegian dwellings

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain knowledge on the renovation status for Norwegian dwellings that can be used to design attractive energy efficiency measures. Norwegian dwellings are exposed to a windy, cold and moist climate and the technical condition of existing dwellings depend on the owners priorities regarding maintenance and renovation. The paper focuses on the renovation status and technical condition of privately owned detached houses built in Norway in the 1980s constituting 10 per cent of the total Norwegian dwelling stock. These houses are high-energy spenders and are at a stage in their lifetime where major renovation such as new windows and ventilation system is expected.

Design/methodology/approach

The status for redecoration, maintenance and renovation as well as the technical condition of 91 dwellings are mapped and analysed.

Findings

An analysis of the empirical data identified four categories of houses when considering home upgrades and technical condition: the as built, the aesthetic, the well kept and the do it yourselves houses. There is no correlation between the observed technical condition and the home upgrade level for the houses in the study. Significant resources may have been used for redecoration and unskilled renovation while not dealing with the need for maintenance and repair.

Research limitations/implications

The knowledge on homeowner categories can be used to tailor policy instruments to accelerate energy efficiency rates for privately owned dwellings.

Originality/value

There are no previous studies on Norwegian private homeowners and the technical condition of their homes.

Citation

Risholt, B., Waernes, E., Time, B. and Grete Hestnes, A. (2013), "Renovation status and technical condition of Norwegian dwellings", Structural Survey, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 334-346. https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-09-2012-0028