An empirical investigation into students’ experience of fuel poverty

The trend of expansion in Higher Education in the UK since 1992 has created a massive demand for accommodation for students, where the housing stock is one of the oldest and least efficient in Europe, and the private rented sector is often singled out for containing some of the least energy efficient, and in worst condition properties. The extent to which students factor in energy efficiency and fuel poverty concerns into their accommodation choices is explored in this paper, along with the perception of the phenomena by students. From a survey of 286 students it was revealed that while students themselves may not consider themselves to be living in fuel poverty, the activities taken in their day-to-day lives suggest the opposite. The impact of the housing stock on student quality of life is investigated as well.