BOSTON – The 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), recently released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), reveals a significant increase in home energy insecurity. According to the new data, one-third of all U.S. households struggle with energy affordability and access, a sharp increase from previous survey years.
“These findings paint an alarming picture of the growing challenges families face in heating and cooling their homes and keeping the lights on,” said John Howat, senior energy policy analyst at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). “This increase in energy insecurity predates recent spikes in utility prices that will create an even more dire situation for cash-strapped households that are also facing rising inflation and record amounts of credit card and medical debt.”
Key findings from the NCLC’s analysis of the preliminary 2024 RECS data include:
- U.S. households experiencing energy insecurity rose from 27% in 2020 to 33% in 2024.
- Nearly 25% of households reported reducing or forgoing food or medicine to pay their energy bills.
- Energy insecurity continues to disproportionately impact households of color. Native American and Black households reported insecurity at nearly twice the national average.
- Every region in the U.S. saw an increase in energy insecurity between 2020 and 2024, with the highest rates found in the South.
Energy insecurity stems from systemic issues, including racial injustice, wealth divides, insufficient income, and substandard housing. To address energy insecurity challenges, NCLC advocates for several critical policy initiatives, including: enhancing bill payment assistance; investing in energy efficiency and clean energy; strengthening consumer protections; and eliminating junk fees.
EIA measures household energy insecurity by tracking indicators such as the frequency of foregoing necessities to pay for home energy service, maintaining unhealthy indoor temperatures, losing access to heating and cooling due to unaffordable service or faulty equipment. The 2024 RECS reflects data collected from a representative sample of U.S. households throughout 2024 and 2025.
Related Resources
- Issue Brief: Energy Insecurity on the Rise: Preliminary Findings from the 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, Mar. 25, 2026
- Issue Brief: What States Can Do to Help Consumers: Energy Insecurity, June 16, 2025
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