Energy poverty occurs when heating costs exceed 10% of household income, impacting health and comfort. Low income and high fuel costs contribute to the problem, but solutions include government programs, energy-efficient measures, and home energy audits.
Energy poverty occurs when the cost of adequately heating a home exceeds 10% of the household’s total income. It is a term used primarily in English-speaking countries in Europe, although the term has globally applicable uses. There are many causes and solutions to the problem, although many are not easy. In many cases, those suffering from energy poverty must decide between heating and other needs.
One of the biggest contributors to energy poverty is income. The less income a household has, the more likely it is that home heating costs will exceed 10% of that income. Additionally, those with lower incomes are more likely to have poorly energy-efficient homes. This will lead to higher costs in the heating sector.
Another factor that can impact energy poverty is high fuel costs. The more money it costs, per heat unit, the more likely a household is to fall into the energy poverty category. To combat this, some countries have developed programs to help low-income households pay their energy bills, especially in the winter months. In the United States, this is known as the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). However, in the US, this is usually a one-time payment that doesn’t even cover a month’s heating bill during the worst of winter.
Those in energy poverty may take actions that are not good for the rest of the family. They may decide to turn down the heat to an uncomfortable temperature, thus sacrificing comfort, and perhaps health, to save money. They may also decide not to buy as much food, clothing, or other supplies needed in the winter to adequately provide the amount of heat they need.
In addition to the government program mentioned, there are many other ways to fight energy poverty. It may be possible for those living in such conditions to turn the thermostats down a bit without sacrificing much comfort. Additionally, having a programmable thermostat, one that can lower the temperature when there are no occupants in the home, can save a significant amount of energy. These thermostats cost a little more than traditional thermostats, but their value quickly pays off in the savings they provide.
Also, some energy companies may offer a home energy audit to tell a homeowner where their homes are losing the most energy. Many of the fixes can cost a significant amount of money. However, many of them can also be done at a very low cost. Any help those living in energy poverty can get should be taken.
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