Gendered homes in theories of practice: A framework for research in residential energy consumption

A reduction of residential energy consumption is urgently needed, and gender is central in the performance of residential practices for this energy consumption. Thus, including gender is necessary for energy research. Theories of practice have proven to be a useful approach to the study of residential energy consumption. However, these theoretical approaches have only included gender to a limited extent. Building on contributions from gender studies, this paper presents an analytical framework for working with gender in theories of practice. The focus is on residential energy consumption in north-western middle-class homes, as most energy is consumed here. The paper presents the argument that gender can be conceptualised as 'general understandings' in theories of practice because 'general understandings' combines discursive and tacit elements of practices. Further, the paper builds on the practice theoretical understanding that the roles of materials, such as technology and houses, change according to specific associated practices. This also means that the practice as much as the materials are gendered. The paper concludes by indicating four ways to include gender in residential energy studies: 1) in all parts of the research design, 2) in the analysis of the surrounding institutions, 3) in the study of the performance of energy-related practices, and 4) in how gender is affected by and affects sustainable transitions.