Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers

This systematic literature review synthesises the literature on socio-psychological drivers and barriers to heat pump adoption and efficient use in households, drawing from the 16 research articles available. The review reveals mixed findings: variables were found influential in some studies but not...

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Main Authors: Lynn A. de Jager, Liesbeth Claassen, Geeske Scholz, Emile J.L. Chappin, Anne van Bruggen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Sustainable Energy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14786451.2025.2488174
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author Lynn A. de Jager
Liesbeth Claassen
Geeske Scholz
Emile J.L. Chappin
Anne van Bruggen
author_facet Lynn A. de Jager
Liesbeth Claassen
Geeske Scholz
Emile J.L. Chappin
Anne van Bruggen
author_sort Lynn A. de Jager
collection DOAJ
description This systematic literature review synthesises the literature on socio-psychological drivers and barriers to heat pump adoption and efficient use in households, drawing from the 16 research articles available. The review reveals mixed findings: variables were found influential in some studies but not in others. In addition to financial considerations, negative expectations regarding comfort and performance also hinder adoption. The literature on user behaviours suggests that comfort, knowledge, and home characteristics influence how heat pumps are operated, including temperature settings, heating area, and ventilation behaviour. A key research gap is the insufficient study of variables relating to the individual, such as psychological and socio-demographic factors. Based on the findings, we recommend public awareness campaigns to emphasise non-financial benefits of heat pumps, particularly comfort, which users often experience as an advantage. To optimise user behaviour, we recommend offering technical support services, simplifying system interfaces, and providing actionable feedback information on energy consumption.
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series International Journal of Sustainable Energy
spelling doaj-art-e9d594cd8ba142b5b4cb6ab7681baea72025-08-20T02:16:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Sustainable Energy1478-64511478-646X2025-12-0144110.1080/14786451.2025.2488174Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriersLynn A. de Jager0Liesbeth Claassen1Geeske Scholz2Emile J.L. Chappin3Anne van Bruggen4Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health (DMG), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsCenter for Safety (VLH), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsFaculty of Technology, Policy, and Management (TPM), Delft University of Technology, Delft, The NetherlandsFaculty of Technology, Policy, and Management (TPM), Delft University of Technology, Delft, The NetherlandsCenter for Sustainability, Environment and Health (DMG), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsThis systematic literature review synthesises the literature on socio-psychological drivers and barriers to heat pump adoption and efficient use in households, drawing from the 16 research articles available. The review reveals mixed findings: variables were found influential in some studies but not in others. In addition to financial considerations, negative expectations regarding comfort and performance also hinder adoption. The literature on user behaviours suggests that comfort, knowledge, and home characteristics influence how heat pumps are operated, including temperature settings, heating area, and ventilation behaviour. A key research gap is the insufficient study of variables relating to the individual, such as psychological and socio-demographic factors. Based on the findings, we recommend public awareness campaigns to emphasise non-financial benefits of heat pumps, particularly comfort, which users often experience as an advantage. To optimise user behaviour, we recommend offering technical support services, simplifying system interfaces, and providing actionable feedback information on energy consumption.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14786451.2025.2488174householdenergy transitionheat pumpadoptionuser behaviour
spellingShingle Lynn A. de Jager
Liesbeth Claassen
Geeske Scholz
Emile J.L. Chappin
Anne van Bruggen
Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers
International Journal of Sustainable Energy
household
energy transition
heat pump
adoption
user behaviour
title Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers
title_full Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers
title_fullStr Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers
title_full_unstemmed Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers
title_short Household heat pump adoption and user behaviours: a systematic review of drivers and barriers
title_sort household heat pump adoption and user behaviours a systematic review of drivers and barriers
topic household
energy transition
heat pump
adoption
user behaviour
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14786451.2025.2488174
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AT liesbethclaassen householdheatpumpadoptionanduserbehavioursasystematicreviewofdriversandbarriers
AT geeskescholz householdheatpumpadoptionanduserbehavioursasystematicreviewofdriversandbarriers
AT emilejlchappin householdheatpumpadoptionanduserbehavioursasystematicreviewofdriversandbarriers
AT annevanbruggen householdheatpumpadoptionanduserbehavioursasystematicreviewofdriversandbarriers