On the relation between the energy and social characteristics of the residential sector

Social, financial, energy and technical data from about 1110 households have been collected during 2004 in the major Athens area. The sample has been divided in seven income groups and a detailed analysis has been performed. Important conclusions have been drawn regarding the quality of households, the operational conditions and the energy spent per income group. Low income people are more likely to be living in old buildings with poor envelope conditions. The cost per person and unit area is much higher for the low income group for both heating and electricity. Fuel poverty is quite high, especially when the actual oil prices are considered. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.