The Effects of Three Governmental Programmes—Energy Coaches, Home Renovations, and White Goods Schemes—on Energy Poverty-Related Issues in Dutch Households

Arianne J. van der Wal, Caroline van Ooij, Koen Straver and Martijn Rietbergen ()
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Arianne J. van der Wal: Energy & Materials Transition, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Radarweg 60, 1043 NT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Caroline van Ooij: Energy & Materials Transition, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Radarweg 60, 1043 NT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Koen Straver: Energy & Materials Transition, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Radarweg 60, 1043 NT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Martijn Rietbergen: Center of Expertise Smart Sustainable Cities, University of Applied Science Utrecht, Utrecht, Padualaan 99, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: Since the start of the energy crisis in 2020, the Dutch government has introduced various programmes aimed at alleviating energy poverty among low-income households. This research examines the effects of three specific interventions—energy coaching, home renovations, and white goods schemes—on a range of energy poverty-related aspects, including living comfort, physical and mental health, energy costs, financial concerns, social connection, neighbourhood involvement, and sustainable behaviour. While previous studies have mostly investigated these interventions in isolation, this research offers a comparative analysis to explore how their impacts differ and how they may complement one another. This research, comparing an intervention group and control, shows that energy coaches, renovations, and white goods schemes each have positive effects on various aspects of energy poverty. However, the nature and magnitude of these effects differ by type of support measure. Renovations are the most effective overall, significantly improving living comfort, physical health, and reducing energy costs. White goods schemes primarily reduce moisture and mould in dwellings and have a notable positive impact on mental health. Energy coaches contribute to improved living comfort, lower energy costs, and uniquely enhance community involvement. The complementary nature of these interventions highlights the potential added value of integrated or combined approaches to tackling energy poverty.

Keywords: inclusive energy transition; energy poverty; energy coaches; renovations; white goods schemes; energy costs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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