Relationship between Inadequate Residential Environment Factors and Energy Poverty among Energy Voucher Users: Panel Logit Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between inadequate residential environment factors and energy poverty among energy voucher users by analyzing data from the 13th (2017) to the 17th (2021) waves of the Korean Welfare Panel Study. A panel logit random effects model was applied to 1,127 households with experience using energy vouchers. The study employed energy poverty as the dependent variable and considered vulnerable housing factors―such as housing type, heating type, and physical housing environment―as independent variables. Control variables included income, residential area, household size, occupancy type, and region. The analysis revealed that energy voucher users residing in housing with poor energy efficiency were more likely to experience energy poverty compared to those in better residential conditions. Based on these findings, the study suggests that energy welfare policies should extend beyond financial support for energy costs to include measures that enhance the energy efficiency of housing environments.