The Energy Benefit Card (EBC)
The Energy Benefit Card (EBC) corresponds to each household and is provided to the citizens of Athens once they complete their registration through EPAO and meet specific criteria.
The Energy Benefit Card (EBC) corresponds to each household and is provided to the citizens of Athens once they complete their registration through EPAO and meet specific criteria.
- Citizens of Athens:The card is available exclusively to households that are registered citizens of the City of Athens, thereby strengthening the local community and providing direct support to city residents.
- Energy-Poor Households: The card is provided to households classified as “energy poor,” based on specific criteria. These households require additional support to address the challenges related to adequate and affordable energy.
The EBC is a tool that provides significant benefits to its holders, allowing them access to resources at reducing energy expenses and improving the energy efficiency of their homes.
What Does “Energy Poor” Mean?
Numerous studies indicate that a household is considered energy poor when its annual energy expenditure exceeds 10% of its annual income. This means that a significant portion of the household’s income is spent on covering energy needs such as heating, cooling, lighting, and the use of electrical appliances. This situation can have serious impacts on people’s quality of life, as it reduces the available budget for other essential needs such as food, health, and education.
Energy-poor households often face the following challenges:
- Poor Housing Quality: Many of these households live in dwellings with low energy efficiency, which require higher energy consumption to maintain thermal comfort.
- Health and Wellbeing: Inadequate heating or cooling can negatively affect people’s health, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children
- High Energy Costs: The inability to cover energy expenses can lead to cuts in other essential spending or the accumulation of debt.
Supporting energy-poor households is vital for improving their quality of life and reducing social inequalities. Through targeted programs and initiatives, such as those offered by EPAO, solutions can be found to reduce energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of homes, thus ensuring a more sustainable and resilient society.
EPAO continues to work tirelessly to support energy-vulnerable households, strengthen social cohesion, and promote energy sustainability in the city of Athens.
Supporters
