Applied Energy Methods in Affordable Hou

This course looks to legal definitions of “low-income” and “disadvantaged community” codified in federal and state statutes to frame discussions on energy insecurity and resiliency risks. Using these guiding points, a cross-disciplinary approach is followed to explore how the construction of energy efficient and resilient buildings contribute to their affordability in operations and maintenance. The course primarily focuses on creating sustainable and affordable multifamily housing, a building type unique to urban areas located in the US Northeast. However, in view of recommended strategies to meet carbon reduction goals, such as building electrification, the parameters of the course are expanded to highlight best practices in equitable policy-making around the design of utility rates and rules for low-income electric customers.