Mid Sweden University

Replacing oil and electric heating systems with innovative heating systems (IHSs) such as bedrock heat pumps, district heating system, and pellet boilers will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emission from Swedish detached houses. However, realizing this potential depends on homeowners’ adoption decision, which is influenced by their need, awareness and perception of the advantages associated with the IHSs. In this context, we conducted mail-in questionnaire surveys of 1,500 Swedish homeowners, selected through stratified random sampling method, in Fall 2004, Spring 2007, and Summer 2008. A response rate of 42%, 48% and 37% was obtained in the 2004, 2007 and 2008 surveys, respectively. One of the aims of the series of surveys was to find out if external factors such as provision of investment subsidies and mass media discussion of climate change issues had influenced homeowners awareness and perception of the advantages associated with the IHSs. Results showed that there was no appreciable change in homeowners’ perceptions between the years surveyed. They consistently gave higher priority to economic factors over environmental factors in their decision to install a new heating system. Heat pumps were best perceived with respect to the annual energy cost of heating, environmental benignity, increased market value of the house, and low greenhouse gas emissions. Respondents felt that pellet boilers had the lowest investment cost, while district heating system had the perceived advantage of functional reliability.