Table 2.
Physical Energy Insecurity- Definition, related codes and exemplary quotes.
| Dimension | Related codes | Exemplary quotes |
|---|---|---|
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Physical energy insecurity Definition: Deficiencies in the physical infrastructure of the home environment that impact thermal comfort, induce harmful indoor exposures and increase energy costs. |
Poor overall housing quality |
The disadvantage of having a Section-8 voucher is that these landlords tend to take advantage. In a lot of Section-8 apartments, none of them provide you with heat and hot water. It’s always no utilities. It’s not the best apartments. I’m quite sure it’s not the best heating systems ‘cause like I said, I’ve lived there. I’m a prime example. That’s why people have to know their rights as a tenant. There’s no insulation in the house. That’s why it’s cold, and the heating’s always gone so … The electrical is outdated, and the plumbing. |
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| Faulty building infrastructure |
If I open this door you feel like you’re standing outside. There’s no heat in here and there’s no heat in the kitchen but it’s big, huge, empty house. Our heater goes down to 60, 61, 62 [degrees] tops all year-round but the walls were never insulated, so the heat goes right out the window. The thermostat, if you turn it off, the heat will still be on, and that runs up the bill. I want Boston Gas to come out here so they can look at the boiler for themselves ‘cause the first [inspector], when I first got my energy report he told me it looked like I was heating the whole of Boston. Then I get the next [inspector’s] report and his report is just as bad as the first man’s report. What don’t they understand? Don’t go after me. Go after the landlord ‘cause I can only afford to give you $200 a month and that’s all I can give you |
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| Changes in building energy systems |
We didn’t have to pay for the heat, it was oil based and the landlords paid for it
themselves. Then about a year later they changed it, without notice and they didn’t even tell us. The bill just came. It was very warm before, now you put that thing on and you’ll still feel cold … |
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