Low‐Income Households’ Response to Higher Home Energy Costs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the energy practices of low‐income households in Virginia and to assess the impact of high energy prices on their lives. A survey of 941 low‐income Virginia households revealed that household income, tenure type, and home structure type showed significant relationships with energy practices of these households. Results include the following: (1) households with the lowest incomes and renters tended to perceive more energy cost problems and (2) multifamily residents (e.g., in apartments or townhomes) were less likely to check for energy efficiency when buying a product that uses energy and less likely to try to find information on how to save energy compared to residents of single‐family homes and others (e.g., in mobile homes and other nontraditional homes). More research is needed on how to best assist these households with their energy burdens and to provide them with the information and motivation to help improve their situation.