Through the study of a project completed in 2009, this article seeks
to determine what barriers can be encountered by homeowners when trying to
improve the performance of older properties with regard to energy use and CO 2
emissions. The scope of the study is determined by the type of dwelling that is
its focus, the traditional farmhouse as constructed during the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries in NE Scotland, along with the boundary set by the
client ’ s interpretation of ‘ sustainability ’ . Within this scope, this article aims to
report on the decision-making process that resulted in real-world ‘ solutions ’ to the
identifi ed barriers. Learning that results from the study relates to fi ndings reported
in the literature, particularly with regard to types of barriers encountered when
attempting to mitigate against climate change by retrofi tting technologies and
materials to existing housing. In addition, there is learning related to the manner
in which homeowners may make decisions in response to the identifi ed barriers
that result in a series of revisions of the initial list of technologies and materials.
Such revisionary activity suggests that there remain signifi cant problems to
be addressed before substantial reductions in CO 2 emissions from traditional
dwellings can be achieved.

• The client perspective on factors in the retrofi tting of sustainable technologies to traditional rural homes in North East Scotland