The Effect of an Energy Refurbishment Scheme on Adequate Warmth in Low-income Dwellings

Abstract

Many fuel poverty support programs have been implemented in the world. Energy-efficient retrofitting in low-income households is a main aspect of support programs in the context of energy saving, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and improvement of the thermal comfort and health of residents. This study analyzed the effects of an energy efficiency program for fuel poverty in Korea on the thermal comfort of residents. A total of 330 households were investigated wherein energy retrofits had been conducted. Indoor temperatures in the main bedroom and in the living room were recorded twice. The results showed that the average indoor air temperature in the surveyed households was 15.1 ± 3.7 °C, indicating that 95.2% of main bedrooms and 80.0% of living rooms did not meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding temperature. These results indicated that the surveyed households did not use energy for heating their rooms, and an energy-saving effect due to the retrofits was difficult to expect. Accordingly, retrofit building or energy policies addressing fuel poverty are shown to be ineffective in the context of energy saving and thermal comfort in Korea. This article highlights issues that need to be analyzed to evaluate how effective the welfare program is. The results of this study alert policymaker to the need to improve the welfare policy; the methods proposed in this article will help them in their decisions.

Efficiency Gap Caused by the Input Data in Evaluating Energy Efficiency of Low-Income Households’ Energy Retrofit Program

“…Furthermore, the Korean government formalized an Energy and Welfare Statement; the Energy Act was legislated in 2006, and the government has operated the residential energy efficiency (retrofit) program for low-income households. The aims of this program are to improve the thermal performance and airtightness of households in fuel poverty, as well as to reduce heat loss, lower energy bills, and improve the thermal comfort and health problems of residents [15]. This program involves the strengthening of insulation in walls and/or the replacement of old windows, doors, and boilers.…”

Why Does a High Humidity Level Form in Low-Income Households Despite Low Water Vapor Generation?

“…Many residents of low-income households find it fairly or very difficult to pay bills to keep their homes warm or cool [28]. Therefore, the indoor temperature of low-income dwellings rarely satisfies the minimum temperature of 21 • C needed to avoid negative health impacts during winter [29,30]. Tadj et al studied 1082 low-income households in England to determine the heating characteristics of low-income households.…”

“…The average winter temperature of the living room and bedroom were 19 • C and 18 • C, respectively, both lower than 21 • C [31]. Song et al conducted field measurements in the winter season on 504 rooms and 330 households of low-income detached dwellings in Korea [30]. They found that about 95.2% of the main living rooms did not meet the 18 • C WHO threshold for adequate warmth.…”

“…Additionally, people living in low-income residences rarely ventilate rooms to retain heat indoors. Lack of heating and ventilation leads to low indoor temperature and high indoor humidity, which causes the condensation problem [28,30,31].…”