Residential energy consumption of low-income and elderly households: how non-discretionary is it

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6553958

Brown, M A; Rollinson, P A

The energy literature is replete with opinions that the poor and elderly have cut their residential energy consumption to a minimum. This paper challenges such conclusions through an analysis of data on a sample of 319 Decatur, Illinois homeowners. The data include utility bill histories and survey information on housing characteristics, energy-related behaviors, attitudes, and socio-economic and demographic characteristics. It shows that residential energy consumption per square foot of living space is significantly higher for the elderly and poor than for other groups of Decatur homeowners. By breaking energy use into seasonal components, the paper estimates consumption for various household uses. This information, combined with the survey data, suggests that both subgroups heat and cool their homes inefficiently, due in part to the conditions of their homes, but also due to energy-related behaviors. The public policy implications of the findings are discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6553958
• Report Number(s): CONF-840819-7; ON: DE84016717
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
298000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
AGE GROUPS
ATTITUDES
DEMAND
ELDERLY PEOPLE
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY DEMAND
FORECASTING
HOUSEHOLDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
LOW INCOME GROUPS
MANAGEMENT
MINORITY GROUPS
POPULATIONS
PUBLIC POLICY
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RELIABILITY
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SURVEYS