Improving energy efficiency among low-income households in the United Kingdom

Abstract

By the end of 2022, 7.4 million or about one-third of the households in the UK were predicted to be spending more than 10% of their net income on domestic energy to keep their houses adequately warm. In the UK, the average annual energy bills hit a record high in 2022 of £2,316 for gas and electricity and the 2022 energy prices were the largest annual increase recorded since 1970. This was ultimately an impact of various global issues which led to a rise in energy prices worldwide, the effect of which is worst felt by low-income people and increased the estimated numbers of people falling into energy poverty. This research uses a qualitative interview with 15 individuals with relevant experience in the energy industry to explore the growing issues of energy poverty in the UK. The results highlight the importance of improving energy efficiency for low-income households which could reduce energy poverty and to an extent, reduce carbon emissions. In addition, the barriers to energy efficiency among low-income households in the UK were identified as the barriers to knowledge, housing conditions, landlord-tenant dilemma and energy policies. This study also found that behaviour and technology has the potential to save up to £60 per month, 31% savings on the average monthly energy bills of £193 per month in the UK. However, there is still a need to further support low-income households through awareness and grant application knowledge to improve energy efficiency and save energy. The implications of this research are significant as an increasing number of people go into energy poverty each year. By identifying the importance and barriers to energy efficiency among low-income households in the UK, this study highlightsthe need for improved support for low-income households in improving household energy efficiency in going through the increasing energy prices, especially going into winter.

Date of Award	23 Jan 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Hadi Abulrub (Supervisor) & Chris A McMahon (Supervisor)