21 Oct Austin Researchers Study Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Households

For most people, energy bills are an inconvenient yet essential expense. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American household spends more than $1,900 annually on heating, cooling, appliances, lighting and electronics. But for some low-income families, paying for these commodities is nearly impossible. Compared to middle or upper-class homes, low-income households spend about double the percentage of their income on energy.  Now, Austin, Texas-based Pecan Street Inc. has taken initiative to empower low-income households to save money and better understand their energy consumption.

Research with an immediate impact

With the support of the Verizon Foundation, Pecan Street Inc. has begun a two-year study focused on better understanding how low-income multi-family households consume energy, and how to help these families save energy and money. The study will give 140 low-income households in Austin an energy monitoring system, including a Nest thermostat and eGauge power circuit monitors, both of which can compile data and provide valuable energy and cost-saving feedback to the residents.

The study, called Smart Solutions for Affordable Housing, was announced at SXSW Eco, an Austin-based sustainability conference, and was made possible with a $550,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation. The program will also use Verizon Wireless' network and 4G LTE wireless routers to relay real-time energy usage information to residents.

This information is expected to help residents understand their energy bills and the value of energy efficiency for their budgets and the environment. Additionally, Pecan Street Inc. hopes to quantify the difference in cost of outdated inefficient appliances and newer, more expensive models. For those who are interested in learning more about energy use and how to reduce their own spending, many energy provider websites have customer education resources and programs that can help you save money and energy.

Pecan Street Inc. is a research and development organization headquartered at The University of Texas at Austin that focuses on advancing understanding and solutions to address utility system reliability, climate change, renewable energy integration and customer needs.  The organization plans to analyze the data from these homes to help entrepreneurs and engineers come up with future designs for energy management technology. Other ongoing projects include tests and research on energy storage technology, smart grid irrigation systems, smart appliances, plug-in electric vehicles, green buildings and new electricity pricing models, all of which point to the organization's goal of involving local communities in environmentally friendly and economically feasible practices.

Paul Batistell freelances in the energy field for the promotion of a greener society and energy means. He works to raise awareness on ecological issues, energy dependency, and reducing carbon footprints.