Low-income families bear the brunt of high-energy costs and poor thermal comfort from poorly maintained apartment buildings. To study how energy efficiency upgrades could help, researchers surveyed residents in a low-income community in New York City and found that while energy efficiency upgrades varied by ownership status, low-income single-family homeowners reaped the greatest benefits. Overall, respondents experienced improved thermal comfort, enhanced health and safety and reduced energy costs as a result of the upgrades.