Occupant behaviour as a fourth driver of fuel poverty (aka warmth & energy deprivation)

Abstract

A conceptual framework for occupant behaviour as a driver of fuel poverty is presented, comprising: housing and use of the home; heating and energy arrangements and thermal comfort; household structure and dynamics; health and well-being; household finances; and social activity and relations. This framework informs longitudinal analysis of movements into and out of fuel poverty among households in deprived communities in Glasgow. Household surveys across ten years yielded a longitudinal sample of 3297 cases where initial and subsequent fuel poverty status was recorded using an experiential measure. A third of households changed their fuel poverty status over time: 18% moving out of fuel poverty and 16% moving in. Factors strongly associated with movements into fuel poverty included: being a single parent (OR 2.27); experiencing a mental health problem (OR 2.74); and remaining out of work (OR 1.89). Movement out of fuel poverty was less likely among those with infrequent family contact (OR 0.55) and who moved home (OR 0.66); home improvements had no effect upon the experience of fuel poverty. It is argued that the policy problem should be considered one of ‘warmth and energy deprivation’, accompanied by a broader interpretation of vulnerability to as well as from fuel poverty.

A pilot study on the impact of a first-time central heating intervention on resident mental wellbeing

“…While area level interventions may conceal potential health benefits 5 , other household characteristics such as being a single parent or remaining out of work 4 and differences in subjective mental wellbeing 14 may explain our findings.…”

“…Fuel poverty represents a significant burden to society and healthcare systems, and affects around 34% of European homes 1,2 . The severity and/or time spent in fuel poverty depends on a complex interaction between household income, cost of energy, levels of energy efficiency of the home and resident behaviours 3,4 . Living in fuel poverty increases the risk of a range of physical (cardiovascular and respiratory conditions) and mental health illnesses 1,5,6 , particularly among older adults 7 .…”

“…Despite a range of policy and fiscal incentives to eradicate fuel poverty, the public health impact of cold homes remains an enduring policy problem in the UK 4 .…”

Future Design Approaches for Energy Poverty: Users Profiling and Services for No-Vulnerable Condition

“…However, as in Aranda et al [69], some solutions are proposed, such as working on the building envelopes, on lighting systems and on energy generation. Nevertheless, less disruptive and low-cost retrofitting solutions (also not linked to solving energy poverty) have been studied by architectural and engineering researchers for years, but they do not seem to constitute the unique response to fuel poverty because, as many authors argue, fuel and energy poverty also involves social, political, and economic concerns [70][71][72][73][74].…”

Analysing natural ventilation to reduce the cooling energy consumption and the fuel poverty of social dwellings in coastal zones

“…Both FP and EP usually implies that family units deal with many thermal discomfort hours [9] , thus causing adverse effects on individuals’ physical health [10] . In addition, other factors such as age [11] , gender gap [12] , mental health [13] , emotions [14] or ethnic groups [15] could affect FP. However, FP is also important for environmental purposes because reducing cases of FP could be an opportunity to mitigate climate change.…”