Unveiling hidden energy poverty using the energy equity gap

Income-based energy poverty metrics ignore people's behavior patterns, particularly reducing energy consumption to limit financial stress. This paper investigates energy-limiting behavior in low-income households using a residential electricity consumption dataset. A relative energy poverty metric, the energy equity gap, is defined as the difference in inflection temperatures (outdoor temperature at which households start using cooling systems) between low and high-income groups. The study estimates the energy equity gap to be 4.7–7.5 °F (2.6–4.2 °C), revealing a hidden aspect of energy poverty and insecurity, largely missed by income-based measures.

Shuchen Cong, Destenie Nock, Yueming Lucy Qiu, Bo Xing