Tenants’ experiences and satisfaction with renovated and energy retrofitted social housing

The need for renovation and energy savings in Danish residential buildings is massive, especially for the large proportion built in the 1960s and 1970s. The potential benefits of a building renovation with a strong focus on the reduction of energy consumption are many, but not yet thoroughly studied and verified.

The objective of the present project was to evaluate tenants’ experiences and satisfaction with renovated and energy retrofitted social housing. A questionnaire was developed that included questions about perceived indoor climate, possible co-benefits, the renovation process, various construction-related measures as well as questions on changed habits after the renovation.

The questionnaire was distributed in two large settlements of social housing erected in the 1960s, one representing a case of comprehensive renovation and another representing a case of more moderate renovation.

The evaluations show that it is possible to implement a comprehensive renovation with focus on energy savings in older building stock and at the same time add value for tenants in the form of i.a. improved perceived indoor climate.