engleski

Exploring health impacts of living in energy poverty: Case study Sisak-Moslavina County, Croatia

Energy poverty, the inability to access or afford modern energy services and to use them in a socially and culturally acceptable level without adverse impacts on health, is a growing concern. To investigate impacts of living in energy poverty, two sets of field visits and a phone survey have been undertaken (N=394) in Sisak- Moslavina County, Croatia. Data was collected (N=375) on living conditions, energy use and health through a structured survey. The majority of respondents live in uninsulated dwellings (93%) with fuelwood stoves as the only source of heating (78%). Mould and draught are a common sight (57% and 89% respectively). We have found a link between adverse living conditions and poor health proving that current policies are ineffective addressing that issue. During the second round of field visits, all households were provided with simple energy efficiency measures. To test impact of those measures a phone survey (N=60) was undertaken. Respondents have noted improvement in their overall comfort (77%). Significant improvement in quality of life (87%) was attributed to measures implemented. We argue that energy efficiency should be the first step in tacking energy poverty as it improves living conditions while easing the burden of state and household budget.

Energy efficiency ; energy poverty ; energy vulnerability ; health ; households

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