Heating bills can become costly, especially in homes with poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, drafty windows and doors, and inadequate insulation.
This burden is particularly heavy on those who are financially vulnerable.
Roxana Ayala of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy defines a high energy burden as a household spending more than 6% of their income on energy bills.
In recent research, her group found that around a quarter of low-income households in the U.S. spend more than 15% of their income on energy.
This can lead them to prioritize energy bills over essential expenses like food or medicine.
Ayala emphasizes that efficiency improvements can lower these energy costs by ensuring homes are well-insulated and equipped with efficient heating, cooling, and appliances.
However, low-income households often struggle with the upfront costs of making these improvements.
Therefore, policymakers should focus on aiding those who are least capable of affording the expenses of maintaining a warm home when developing energy efficiency programs.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
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