Measures to improve energy efficiency, such as green taxes, can inordinately affect moderate- to low-income homeowners and renters. Yet they are also the least able to afford energy-efficiency measures which will end up saving them money.

Several programs help qualifying households reduce energy demand by taking steps to properly insulate homes, seal ducts, and insulating pipes. The city of Berkeley, California, offers free attic insulation and other services based on varying income levels. The US Department of Energy, which estimates low-income households spend an average of 14 percent of their annual income on energy costs, runs the Weatherization Assistance Program.

The Energy Saving Trust in the UK offers a tool to search for grants from the UK government to improve home energy and heating efficiency, such as the Warm Front and Warm Homes grants.

Sustainable Homes and People for Action work to create sustainable communities. Taking their cue, further opportunity may exist to work with other UK housing assistance and management organizations, such as Care & Repair, Network Housing Group, Stadium Housing Association, Longhurst Group (among many more).

Of note: Longhurst Group runs the Just Rewards program. Members receive discounts and can earn points during the year for being good tenants.

Also of note: a July 2005 scoping study of the fuel poor (.pdf)

Dave Chiu

CATEGORY: ENERGY PROJECT