Energy Justice: Examining the Challenges of Affordability, Accessibility and Practices of Energy Efficiency among Low-Income Households

• In Event: 2251 - Section on Environmental Sociology Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 10. Environmental Inequality 2

Abstract

The issues of energy inequality and justice are a particular challenge for low-income households (LIHs) in the United States. This study explores energy justice through several interconnected questions under the scope of energy efficiency: How accessible and affordable are energy and energy efficiency appliances? Are there different energy practices across income groups, and what are the important factors influencing residential energy efficiency? Based on the Residential Energy Consumption Survey, this study finds that affordability and accessibility remain serious problems for LIHs. LIHs consume more energy and have higher energy costs per square foot. LIHs have lower participation rates in many energy efficiency programs and own fewer energy efficiency appliances. Additionally, thermostat control strategies are different across income levels: LIHs tend to set one fixed temperature, even when having a programmable thermostat, which is less energy efficient. More importantly, we found the factors that influence residential energy efficiency were not exactly the same across income groups. While the efficiency of LIHs is mostly influenced by the factors related to space cooling and heating, the energy efficiency of MIHs and HIHs is influenced by a wider range of household energy practices, such as watching television and using hot water. This study concludes with policy implications for making energy more accessible while being fair to those often underserved.

Authors

• Chien-fei Chen, University of Tennessee

• Xiaojing Xu, University of Tennessee