Energy-Efficient Renovations in Swedish Single-Family Homes: Exploring the Influence of Everyday Life and Social Relations on Homeowner Decisions

Summary This thesis investigates how daily domestic routines and social relations shape the energy renovation decisions of homeowners in Sweden's owner-occupied single-family homes during remodeling. Drawing on Social Practice Theory (SPT) and the Theory of Social Relations (TSR) as a dual theoretical framework, the study explores the interplay between material conditions, household practices, community interactions, and relational dynamics to understand energy renovation priorities. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and policy document analysis to identify key factors influencing homeowners' decisions. The findings highlight that material conditions (e.g., aging infrastructure), routine maintenance habits, relational trust within social networks, cultural and aesthetic preferences, and systemic barriers such as complex subsidy processes and limited access to professional advisors significantly shape Swedish single-family homeowners’ renovation choices. This study highlights that financial, regulatory, and technical considerations interact with social dimensions such as everyday domestic life and social relations, and both collectively influence homeowners' decision-making processes in Sweden's owner-occupied single-family homes, particularly in the context of energy-efficient renovations during residence remodeling. The study also calls for an integrated approach to residential energy efficiency, where economic, regulatory, and social dimensions are addressed simultaneously. These insights hope to support Sweden's sustainability goals and provide transferable knowledge for similar housing contexts globally, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive and socially integrated energy renovation strategies.