Powering fairness in climate adaptation capabilities: Evaluating the influence of air conditioning rebates in a hot climate

Assisting households with maintaining adequate energy supply is one method for improving overall quality of life. Households experiencing energy insecurity may be unable to afford to use energy for necessary services at home (e.g., unable to purchase air conditioners). Energy efficiency (EE) can reduce energy costs for low-income households–requiring less energy for essential activities. While existing research has identified the groups that are less likely to participate in energy efficiency programs, there is limited research on how participation impacts energy insecurity among vulnerable households when they participate. Using over 138,000 households in Tallahassee, Florida we study participants in a neighborhood program that targeted underserved communities. We conduct quasi-experimental difference-in-difference comparisons for seasonal energy consumption, energy bills, and energy burden during the cooling season in response to air conditioning (AC) appliance purchases. We compare impacts for households in the program (REACH) and higher income non-REACH qualified households. We find that REACH homes, on average, save approximately 300kWh-eq on energy or $25 seasonally after purchasing an AC unit. While AC rebates reduce seasonal energy burden by 0.6 % in non-REACH homes, there is no statistically significant change in seasonal energy burden for REACH homes. The difference in energy reduction between REACH and non-REACH qualified homes could be due to increases in AC use among REACH homes after rebates. Further work could explore this trend of potential increases in efficient appliance use among low-income homes. • Air conditioning rebates impact low-income homes in a hot climate during cooling seasons. • Low-income homes save $25 on energy bills each cooling season due to rebates. • Higher-income homes, on average, save $6 more per cooling season after rebates. • Low-income homes may have increased AC use because of AC rebates. • This study shows how energy efficiency helps low-income homes afford energy needs.