Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Energy Efficiency 8/2018

27.05.2018 | Original Article

Cool or school?: the role of building attributes in explaining residential energy burdens in California

verfasst von: Hal T. Nelson, Nick Gebbia

Erschienen in: Energy Efficiency | Ausgabe 8/2018

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

This paper quantifies the dimensions of an important energy efficiency conversation: the energy burden of low-income households. Due to budgetary constraints, low-income households face a stark consumption trade-offs described as “cool or school”. This study is the first to apply multivariate building energy regression modeling to assess the independent effects of various building characteristics and appliances on a household’s energy burden in the USA. We find that more attic insulation and newer air conditioners significantly predict lower energy burdens. Furthermore, homeowners enjoy ~ 27% more attic insulation compared to renters. Our results offer empirical support for programs that offer deep retrofits to low-income households. We conclude by offering suggestions for leveraging weatherization funding to fund building energy retrofits.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Fußnoten
1
A Google News search in June of 2017 yielded the following results: “Renewable Energy” = 2,510,000 results, “Fracking” = 721,000 results. “Energy Burden” = 467 results.
 
2
A complete review of the factors predicting building climate control behavior, and related window opening behavior, is beyond the scope of this paper. Interested readers are referred to Fabi et al. (2012).
 
3
Variables converted from categorical include income, home age and square-footage, attic insulation, age of heating and cooling systems, refrigerator age, and thermostat settings.
 
4
More TV’s likely correlates with both higher income and thereby higher energy expenditures, and so is related to energy burden by both the numerator and the denominator. However, since energy expenditures are more precisely measured due to categorical recording of income, it is sensible that more TV’s would be correlated with a higher energy burden in our data.
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Amaro, Y. (2012). Weatherization Program Keeps Cold at Bay. Merced Sun-Star. December 18. Amaro, Y. (2012). Weatherization Program Keeps Cold at Bay. Merced Sun-Star. December 18.
Zurück zum Zitat Aranda, J., Zabalza, I., Conserva, A., & Millán, G. (2017). Analysis of energy efficiency measures and retrofitting solutions for social housing buildings in Spain as a way to mitigate energy poverty. Sustainability, 9(10), 1869.CrossRef Aranda, J., Zabalza, I., Conserva, A., & Millán, G. (2017). Analysis of energy efficiency measures and retrofitting solutions for social housing buildings in Spain as a way to mitigate energy poverty. Sustainability, 9(10), 1869.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bhattacharya, J., DeLeire, T., Haider, S., & Currie, J. (2003). Heat or eat? Cold-weather shocks and nutrition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(7), 1149–1154.CrossRef Bhattacharya, J., DeLeire, T., Haider, S., & Currie, J. (2003). Heat or eat? Cold-weather shocks and nutrition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(7), 1149–1154.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bird, S., & Hernández, D. (2012). Policy options for the split incentive: Increasing energy efficiency for low-income renters. Energy Policy, 48, 506–514.CrossRef Bird, S., & Hernández, D. (2012). Policy options for the split incentive: Increasing energy efficiency for low-income renters. Energy Policy, 48, 506–514.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Boardman, B. (1991). Fuel poverty: From cold homes to affordable warmth. London: Belhaven Press. Boardman, B. (1991). Fuel poverty: From cold homes to affordable warmth. London: Belhaven Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Boardman, B. (2012). Fuel poverty synthesis: Lessons learnt, actions needed. Energy Policy, 49(0), 143–148. Boardman, B. (2012). Fuel poverty synthesis: Lessons learnt, actions needed. Energy Policy, 49(0), 143–148.
Zurück zum Zitat Bourassa, N. J., Rainer, L., Mills, E., & Glickman, J. (2012). The Home Energy Scoring Tool: A Simplified Asset Rating for Single Family Homes. Proceedings of the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings. Bourassa, N. J., Rainer, L., Mills, E., & Glickman, J. (2012). The Home Energy Scoring Tool: A Simplified Asset Rating for Single Family Homes. Proceedings of the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
Zurück zum Zitat Bradbrook, A. J., & Gardam, J. G. (2010). Energy and poverty: A proposal to harness international law to advance universal access to modern energy services. Netherlands International Law Review, 57(1), 1–28. Bradbrook, A. J., & Gardam, J. G. (2010). Energy and poverty: A proposal to harness international law to advance universal access to modern energy services. Netherlands International Law Review, 57(1), 1–28.
Zurück zum Zitat Brown, M. A. (2001). Market failures and barriers as a basis for clean energy policies. Energy Policy, 29(14), 1197–1207.CrossRef Brown, M. A. (2001). Market failures and barriers as a basis for clean energy policies. Energy Policy, 29(14), 1197–1207.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Brunner, K. M., Spitzer, M., & Christanell, A. (2012). Experiencing fuel poverty. Coping strategies of low-income households in Vienna/Austria. Energy Policy, 49, 53–59.CrossRef Brunner, K. M., Spitzer, M., & Christanell, A. (2012). Experiencing fuel poverty. Coping strategies of low-income households in Vienna/Austria. Energy Policy, 49, 53–59.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Cluett, R., Amann, J., & Ou, S. (2016). Building better energy efficiency programs for low-income households. ACEEE Report Number A1601. March. Cluett, R., Amann, J., & Ou, S. (2016). Building better energy efficiency programs for low-income households. ACEEE Report Number A1601. March.
Zurück zum Zitat Economist. (2009). Home ownership: Shelter, or burden? 16 April. Economist. (2009). Home ownership: Shelter, or burden? 16 April.
Zurück zum Zitat Ettenson, L. (2011). “Energy efficiency: California's leading energy resource.” Electric Light and Power. November 9. Ettenson, L. (2011). “Energy efficiency: California's leading energy resource.” Electric Light and Power. November 9.
Zurück zum Zitat Fabi, V., Andersen, R. V., Corgnati, S., & Olesen, B. W. (2012). Occupants' window opening behaviour: A literature review of factors influencing occupant behaviour and models. Building and Environment, 58, 188–198.CrossRef Fabi, V., Andersen, R. V., Corgnati, S., & Olesen, B. W. (2012). Occupants' window opening behaviour: A literature review of factors influencing occupant behaviour and models. Building and Environment, 58, 188–198.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gillingham, K., Harding, M., & Rapson, D. (2012). Split incentives in residential energy consumption. Energy Journal, 33(2). Gillingham, K., Harding, M., & Rapson, D. (2012). Split incentives in residential energy consumption. Energy Journal, 33(2).
Zurück zum Zitat Greene, D. L. (2011). Uncertainty, loss aversion, and markets for energy efficiency. Energy Economics, 33(4), 608–616.CrossRef Greene, D. L. (2011). Uncertainty, loss aversion, and markets for energy efficiency. Energy Economics, 33(4), 608–616.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gujarati, D., & Porter, D. (2009). Basic econometrics (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. Gujarati, D., & Porter, D. (2009). Basic econometrics (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Zurück zum Zitat Hirst, E., & Brown, M. (1990). Closing the efficiency gap: Barriers to the efficient use of energy. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 3(4), 267–281.CrossRef Hirst, E., & Brown, M. (1990). Closing the efficiency gap: Barriers to the efficient use of energy. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 3(4), 267–281.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Howden-Chapman, P. (2007). Effect of insulating existing houses on health inequality: Cluster randomised study in the community. British Medical Journal, 334(7591), 460.CrossRef Howden-Chapman, P. (2007). Effect of insulating existing houses on health inequality: Cluster randomised study in the community. British Medical Journal, 334(7591), 460.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jaffe, A. B., & Stavins, R. N. (1994). The energy-efficiency gap what does it mean? Energy Policy, 22(10), 804–810.CrossRef Jaffe, A. B., & Stavins, R. N. (1994). The energy-efficiency gap what does it mean? Energy Policy, 22(10), 804–810.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kissock, J. K., Haberl, J. S., & Claridge, D. E. (2003). Inverse modeling toolkit: Numerical algorithms (RP-1050). Transactions-American Society Of Heating Refrigerating And Air Conditioning Engineers, 109(2), 425–434. Kissock, J. K., Haberl, J. S., & Claridge, D. E. (2003). Inverse modeling toolkit: Numerical algorithms (RP-1050). Transactions-American Society Of Heating Refrigerating And Air Conditioning Engineers, 109(2), 425–434.
Zurück zum Zitat Levinson, A., & Niemann, S. (2004). Energy use by apartment tenants when landlords pay for utilities. Resource and Energy Economics, 26(1), 51–75.CrossRef Levinson, A., & Niemann, S. (2004). Energy use by apartment tenants when landlords pay for utilities. Resource and Energy Economics, 26(1), 51–75.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Liddell, C., Morris, C., McKenzie, S. J. P., & Rae, G. (2012). Measuring and monitoring fuel poverty in the UK: National and regional perspectives. Energy Policy, 49, 27–32.CrossRef Liddell, C., Morris, C., McKenzie, S. J. P., & Rae, G. (2012). Measuring and monitoring fuel poverty in the UK: National and regional perspectives. Energy Policy, 49, 27–32.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Mills, B., & Schleich, J. (2012). Residential energy-efficient technology adoption, energy conservation, knowledge, and attitudes: An analysis of European countries. Energy Policy, 49, 616–628.CrossRef Mills, B., & Schleich, J. (2012). Residential energy-efficient technology adoption, energy conservation, knowledge, and attitudes: An analysis of European countries. Energy Policy, 49, 616–628.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Moore, R. (2012). Definitions of fuel poverty: Implications for policy. Energy Policy, 49, 19–26.CrossRef Moore, R. (2012). Definitions of fuel poverty: Implications for policy. Energy Policy, 49, 19–26.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Murray, A. G., & Mills, B. F. (2014). The impact of low-income home energy assistance program participation on household energy insecurity. Contemporary Economic Policy, 32, 811–825.CrossRef Murray, A. G., & Mills, B. F. (2014). The impact of low-income home energy assistance program participation on household energy insecurity. Contemporary Economic Policy, 32, 811–825.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Nelson, H. (2014). Personal communication with a staff member of the DC sustainable energy utility. 27 June. Nelson, H. (2014). Personal communication with a staff member of the DC sustainable energy utility. 27 June.
Zurück zum Zitat Nicol, J. F., & Humphreys, M. A. (2002). Adaptive thermal comfort and sustainable thermal standards for buildings. Energy and Buildings, 34(6), 563–572.CrossRef Nicol, J. F., & Humphreys, M. A. (2002). Adaptive thermal comfort and sustainable thermal standards for buildings. Energy and Buildings, 34(6), 563–572.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Phillips, Y. (2012). Landlords versus tenants: Information asymmetry and mismatched preferences for home energy efficiency. Energy Policy, 45, 112–121.CrossRef Phillips, Y. (2012). Landlords versus tenants: Information asymmetry and mismatched preferences for home energy efficiency. Energy Policy, 45, 112–121.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Southwell, B. G., & Murphy, J. (2014). Weatherization behavior and social context: The influences of factual knowledge and social interaction. Energy Research & Social Science, 2, 59–65.CrossRef Southwell, B. G., & Murphy, J. (2014). Weatherization behavior and social context: The influences of factual knowledge and social interaction. Energy Research & Social Science, 2, 59–65.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Thomson, H., & Snell, C. (2013). Quantifying the prevalence of fuel poverty across the European Union. Energy Policy, 52, 563–572.CrossRef Thomson, H., & Snell, C. (2013). Quantifying the prevalence of fuel poverty across the European Union. Energy Policy, 52, 563–572.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1992). Advances in prospect theory: Cumulative representation of uncertainty. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 5(4), 297–323.CrossRef Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1992). Advances in prospect theory: Cumulative representation of uncertainty. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 5(4), 297–323.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vringer, K., & Blok, T. A. K. (2007). Households energy requirements and value patterns. Energy Policy, 35, 553–566.CrossRef Vringer, K., & Blok, T. A. K. (2007). Households energy requirements and value patterns. Energy Policy, 35, 553–566.CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Cool or school?: the role of building attributes in explaining residential energy burdens in California
verfasst von
Hal T. Nelson
Nick Gebbia
Publikationsdatum
27.05.2018
Verlag
Springer Netherlands
Erschienen in
Energy Efficiency / Ausgabe 8/2018
Print ISSN: 1570-646X
Elektronische ISSN: 1570-6478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-018-9681-1

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 8/2018

Energy Efficiency 8/2018 Zur Ausgabe