TY  - UNPB
Y1  - 2022///
A1  - Have, Tess F. ten
UR  - https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3952/
EP  - 83
TI  - MAKING HEAT NETWORKS HOT - Understanding the barriers to connecting to heat networks and how to overcome them
AV  - public
ID  - theses_frw3952
N2  - In 2019, still 95% of Dutch households were heated using natural gas. Using a different and/or more efficient way of heating residences is, therefore, seen as one of the most promising strategies to reduce CO2 emissions in the Netherlands. A popular alternative for domestic gas-fired heating systems is a heat network. A heat network is an underground network of pipelines that transport heat to buildings and residences by means of hot water. Heat networks require active support from citizens since homeowners must willingly adjust the energy system of their homes. It is, therefore, important to understand the barriers that homeowners may perceive to adopting heat networks. In this thesis, the barriers to connecting to heat networks as perceived by homeowners and the instruments that may support homeowners to overcome these barriers are explored. To gain a better understanding of these perceived barriers, the influence of one's personal values is included in the study. There are four types of values (hedonic, egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric) that influence how people process information and, consequently, form their evaluation of an energy technology. An understanding of the values that underpin one?s evaluation of a technology is beneficial in order to develop effective instruments to overcome the barriers. For this purpose, the study has made use of a combination of a survey and expert interviews.

The results show that all barriers included in the survey to some extent form a barrier for homeowners to connect to the heat network. The most common barriers for homeowners are the investment costs, the expected monthly tariffs for heat, the monopoly position of the heat supplier, the reliability of the network, a lack of (objective) information, and the expected changes that are needed inside the home. Most barriers are negatively associated with the preparedness of homeowners to connect to the heat network and removing the barriers will increase the preparedness to connect to the heat network. In order to overcome the barriers, it is important to increase trust in the municipality and the process of implementing the heat network. In addition, the following instruments were identified that may help homeowners to overcome the barriers:
- Distributed ownership over the heat network by the municipality and energy cooperatives to keep costs low and increase the direct influence of homeowners
- A central heat authority & energy coaches that provide objective information and help homeowners to find the most appropriate heating alternative for their homes
- A good offer including a fair price, clear expectations, and a guaranteed level of control
- Ambassadors & personal counseling to increase trust in the technology and lower the barrier regarding the renovations inside the home

Lastly, it was confirmed that personal values do, to some extent, influence which barriers homeowners find important. To be able to support different types of homeowners in overcoming the barriers to connecting to the heat network, the provided information and the offer should contain aspects that appeal to all values.
M1  - master
ER  -