Measuring fuel poverty
BRE is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
On 3 June 2016, BRE published Measuring Fuel Poverty, written by Claire Summers, Jack Hulme and Busola Siyanbola.
BRE has been measuring fuel poverty on behalf of the UK government since the 1990s. The new publication describes the origins and development of the fuel poverty concept, its measurement in the UK, and how it is used to help target those households most at risk of being unable to heat their homes.
The concept considers that households in fuel poverty may be placing themselves at risk by not heating their homes to sufficiently to prevent ill health. To assist these households, it is first necessary to identify them.
The two main measures of fuel poverty are the 10% definition and the Hills Low Income High costs (LIHC) definition.
- The 10% definition identifies fuel-poor households as those that would be required to spend more than 10% of their household income on fuel in order to meet a specified heating regime.
- The Hills LIHC definition identifies fuel-poor households as those with an income below the official poverty line coupled with higher-than-average fuel costs.
At present the Hills LIHC definition is used to measure fuel poverty in England, whilst the 10% definition is used in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The publication explains the development and definitions of fuel poverty, and summarises fuel poverty trends over time. It considers who the fuel poor are, and looks at the reasons for changing levels of fuel poverty. It is intended to provide background to the concept for housing associations and housing providers, energy suppliers, policy makers, energy consultants and academics.
Its contents are:
- Introduction
- Fuel poverty methodology
- Fuel poverty trends
- Fuel poverty at a local level
- Conclusions and the future of fuel poverty development
- References
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- A measure of net well-being that incorporates the effect of housing environmental impacts.
- Adapting 1965-1980 semi-detached dwellings in the UK to reduce summer overheating and the effect of the 2010 Building Regulations.
- Anatomy of low carbon retrofits: evidence from owner-occupied superhomes.
- BRE and Willmott Dixon project to retrofit of a 1920s semi-detached house.
- Building Research Establishment BRE
- Energy companies obligation ECO.
- Fuel poverty.
- Green deal scrapped.
- Heat Energy: The Nation’s Forgotten Crisis.
- Housing contribution to regeneration.
- Renovation Wave Strategy RWS.
- The cold man of europe 2015.
- The full cost of poor housing.
- The Future of Electricity in Domestic Buildings.
- The real cost of poor housing.
- Transitioning to eco-cities: Reducing carbon emissions while improving urban welfare.
- Well-being and regeneration: Reflections from Carpenters Estate.
- Wellbeing.
Featured articles and news
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.
Building Back Better: Circularity
BREEAM strategy for sustainability and the circular economy.
Free tool to improve the construction programming process.
Building services verification
Are buildings doing what they're supposed to be doing?
Cities with quick access to everything by foot or bike.
The pressures and pinch points of global destinations.
The green economic recovery beyond COVID-19
Making the case for a sustainable future.
Building Conservation Certification Scheme expands eligibility
Retrofit professionals now entitled to enter CIOB programme.
Unlimited Potential report looks at gender and racial bias
How, where, when and why stereotypes happen.