Leroy Merlin Source, in association with Ademe (Ed.: France’s Agency for the Environment and Energy Management), has assigned two researchers to examine the practices of French households in terms of indoor air quality. The goal is to better understand behaviours to gain knowledge and thereby contribute to improving air quality in the home.
The building of autonomy in the home, health, the housing environment, energy renovation… were the first topics studied by Leroy Merlin Source, the research network on the home from Leroy Merlin France. “And then, two years ago, we decided to focus on the sustainable home”, explains Claire Letertre, project manager and leader of the Leroy Merlin Source initiative. “It was with this in mind that Gaëtan Brisepierre, a sociologist specialising in the ecological and energy transition in the building industry, and Claire-Sophie Cœudevez, engineer and Director of Medieco Conseil et Formation, both members of the group Health, Habitat and Environment at Leroy Merlin Source, suggested a study of the quality of indoor air. Covid did in fact shine the spotlight on indoor air, airing rooms and its importance to health… It’s interesting to see, with the pandemic over, how the issue is perceived”. The Ademe has decided to support this research; the sixth study in association with Leroy Merlin Source.
Best practices: research and building awareness
Our two researchers first carried out a review of the state of research on the topic. First of all, this confirmed that there is often an amalgam between indoor air and outdoor air, that the studies are generally quantified (measures, cost) and that there was little in the way of a sociological approach to practices. “We are currently recruiting twelve households with whom we will be holding interviews until the end of the year to better understand their behaviour. The interviews will all have a different entry point depending on the three household profiles chosen, according to three initiatives: installation of ventilation as part of a renovation, purchase of paint or a product of natural origin and use of a device for measuring air quality”, explains Claire-Sophie Cœudevez. “We will also build their awareness to best practices during our interviews. We will then do a review session to see if these households have changed their habits”. Results from the study will be available towards the middle of next year. It will then be up to Claire Letertre to disseminate and showcase these results, both in-house and externally: “Our market teams will be able to assimilate them to offer products and services. And these results will of course enrich the knowledge of the home improvement community at large, with a view to stimulating debate. With this type of study, we are contributing to ADEO’s ambition of building the worldwide platform for a positive home”.
Leroy Merlin Source, an inquiring mind
Established in 2005, Leroy Merlin Source brings together researchers, professionals and stakeholders of the home improvement sector to create and disseminate original knowledge on new ways of living. Its work focuses on human and social sciences, design and artistic approaches. Certain research projects are carried out in partnership with public institutions, private businesses or associations. Results from these works are published in open source on the Leroy Merlin Source website, made available to employees in various formats and regularly presented by the authors of research projects at different national and international conferences and seminars.
1
primary study
on indoor air quality from a human sciences point of view
12
households interviewed
about their practices
1
assessment
on the adoption of best practices