Fuel Poverty in Devon
Fuel poverty demonstrates the social dimension of equity of access to affordable home heating. The Devon Affordable Warmth Strategy1 of 2004 stated that the average level of fuel poverty in Devon is 24%; this is just above the English average of 23%. In South Hams the average is 20%, however as the map below shows, there are small areas in Totnes and District, particularly in Totnes town with red areas indicating 26-40% households in fuel poverty.
The temperatures recommended by the World health Organisation are 21 degrees C in the living room and 18 degrees C in other occupied rooms. Households living in fuel poverty cannot afford to heat their homes to these temperatures when outside temperatures fall.
The causes of fuel poverty are:
- Low household income
- Homes with poor energy efficiency
- Under occupancy
- Fuel prices
Those most at risk of fuel poverty are:
- The elderly
- Families with young children
- The long term sick / disabled
- The long term unemployed
Footnotes
- Devon Affordable Warmth Strategy – working together for warmer homes 2004. Devon Local Authorities & Partners [↩]
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