Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Residents in low-income multifamily housing often struggle to afford energy for essential needs such as heating, cooking, and electronics. Climate change may increase these energy demands, and high energy bills can reflect inefficiencies in a home’s systems or envelope. Improving the energy efficiency in low-income housing benefits both social justice and sustainability. However, there is limited information on the impact of energy upgrades in multifamily settings. This study examined the energy-related experiences of low-income families in public housing in Detroit, Michigan, who received energy-conserving measures (ECMs) such as efficient light bulbs, faucets, thermostats, and refrigerators in 2022. Thirty-nine residents completed surveys and provided energy usage data before and after the upgrades; twelve residents provided their hourly energy usage. Over 90% of residents reporting income information had an energy burden exceeding 6%, with higher energy expenses during colder months. While many residents appreciated the upgrades, quantitative evidence of reduced energy burdens was insufficient. Existing utility programs for multifamily residents typically offer minor upgrades but do not include larger appliance replacements or improvements to home insulation. To maximize energy efficiency for low-income families, thus promoting sustainability, more comprehensive programs and retrofits are necessary.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• NEW - International Conservation Code ICC Residential Energy
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI): 0.5 hour
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
Lessons Learned:
1. Understand energy challenges faced by low-income multifamily residents.
2. Summarize the impacts of common energy upgrades in multifamily housing.
3. Recognize gaps in current utility programs for low-income communities.
4. Identify strategies for comprehensive retrofits to promote equity and sustainability.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/energy-efficient-upgrades-in-urban-low-income-multifamily-housing
Speakers: Madeline Walker Miller & Anchal Malh
Madeline Walker Miller is the Founder and CEO of NexTiles, a Detroit-based textile recycling company that converts textile waste into building insulation and other eco-friendly products. Her professional background focuses on reducing textile waste and its harmful impacts to our natural environment. Her company specializes in creating secondary uses for textiles and engaging more Detroiters in creating circular economy solutions.
She is an alumna of Spelman College and earned a master’s degree in Coastal Zone Management from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Madeline’s passion lies in empowering young Black people and people of color to embrace environmentally sustainable behaviors. She is a PhD candidate in the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), studying in the Urban Energy Justice Lab.
Miller serves on the boards of the Greenhome Institute and the Ecology Center. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time, she enjoys family outings and time with her dog, Allie.
Anchal Malh is an Editorial Researcher in television production and natural history filmmaking. Her professional background blends innovative storytelling and scientific research to increase accessibility to complex topics. Malh is an alumna of the University of Michigan and received her master's degree in Environmental Health Sciences in 2024.
Malh has worked for the University of Michigan and The New York Times. She was a recipient of the New York Times College Scholarship in 2019 and a Rackham Merit Fellow at the University of Michigan from 2022-2024. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two cats, Pepper and Patty.
Residents in low-income multifamily housing often struggle to afford energy for essential needs such as heating, cooking, and electronics. Climate change may increase these energy demands, and high energy bills can reflect inefficiencies in a home’s systems or envelope. Improving the energy efficiency in low-income housing benefits both social justice and sustainability. However, there is limited information on the impact of energy upgrades in multifamily settings. This study examined the energy-related experiences of low-income families in public housing in Detroit, Michigan, who received energy-conserving measures (ECMs) such as efficient light bulbs, faucets, thermostats, and refrigerators in 2022. Thirty-nine residents completed surveys and provided energy usage data before and after the upgrades; twelve residents provided their hourly energy usage. Over 90% of residents reporting income information had an energy burden exceeding 6%, with higher energy expenses during colder months. While many residents appreciated the upgrades, quantitative evidence of reduced energy burdens was insufficient. Existing utility programs for multifamily residents typically offer minor upgrades but do not include larger appliance replacements or improvements to home insulation. To maximize energy efficiency for low-income families, thus promoting sustainability, more comprehensive programs and retrofits are necessary.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• NEW - International Conservation Code ICC Residential Energy
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI): 0.5 hour
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
Lessons Learned:
1. Understand energy challenges faced by low-income multifamily residents.
2. Summarize the impacts of common energy upgrades in multifamily housing.
3. Recognize gaps in current utility programs for low-income communities.
4. Identify strategies for comprehensive retrofits to promote equity and sustainability.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/energy-efficient-upgrades-in-urban-low-income-multifamily-housing
Speakers: Madeline Walker Miller & Anchal Malh
Madeline Walker Miller is the Founder and CEO of NexTiles, a Detroit-based textile recycling company that converts textile waste into building insulation and other eco-friendly products. Her professional background focuses on reducing textile waste and its harmful impacts to our natural environment. Her company specializes in creating secondary uses for textiles and engaging more Detroiters in creating circular economy solutions.
She is an alumna of Spelman College and earned a master’s degree in Coastal Zone Management from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Madeline’s passion lies in empowering young Black people and people of color to embrace environmentally sustainable behaviors. She is a PhD candidate in the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), studying in the Urban Energy Justice Lab.
Miller serves on the boards of the Greenhome Institute and the Ecology Center. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time, she enjoys family outings and time with her dog, Allie.
Anchal Malh is an Editorial Researcher in television production and natural history filmmaking. Her professional background blends innovative storytelling and scientific research to increase accessibility to complex topics. Malh is an alumna of the University of Michigan and received her master's degree in Environmental Health Sciences in 2024.
Malh has worked for the University of Michigan and The New York Times. She was a recipient of the New York Times College Scholarship in 2019 and a Rackham Merit Fellow at the University of Michigan from 2022-2024. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two cats, Pepper and Patty.
