The study involved 13 peer researchers (also known as community researchers) and 38 community members experiencing energy poverty.
Findings
Key findings were:
- Awareness of what people need to do to transition their household to a net zero is low
- The expense of green choices could make inequality in the energy market worse
- Private rental and social housing tenants do not have the power to make green adaptations to their homes
- Low-income consumers will not be able to transition to net zero unless barriers to smart technology are removed
- Energy companies need to get better at proactively identifying and supporting vulnerable consumers
Recommendations for Ofgem
They recommended that Ofgem (the energy regulator for Great Britain) should:
- make energy companies offer a ‘green social tariff’
- encourage energy companies do more to identify and support vulnerable consumers, backed up by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- explore how tenants can be given more power to make green energy changes to their homes
- commission research into how low-income consumers can feel more confident with smart technology
- drive more inclusive communications practices in the energy sector
Outcomes
Iterative workshops led to:
- a communication strategy
- 3 roadmaps for:
- increasing awareness of green energy options
- identifying and helping vulnerable consumers
- promoting access to green technology among low-income groups