1 out of every 3 households in the US are facing difficulties with paying energy bills, with the situation potentially being more severe.

Nearly one-third of U.S. households are struggling with energy bills, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration. The 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey shows a significant rise in energy insecurity, impacting middle-income families, seniors, and racial minorities across the nation.

Recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that energy insecurity is increasingly affecting a significant portion of American households. According to early results from the 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), nearly one-third of U.S. households are struggling to afford energy costs, with the situation showing no signs of improvement.

Pre-existing Concerns Before Global Conflicts

Although the situation has worsened since the onset of global conflicts such as the war in Iran, energy affordability challenges had already been escalating before these events. The RECS aims to measure "energy insecurity," which refers to the inability of households to adequately meet their energy needs. The survey’s preliminary data for 2024, released in March 2026, confirms that energy difficulties were a significant issue even prior to the recent global crises.

Survey Methodology and Key Questions

The RECS is conducted every four to five years by the EIA. It is a nationwide survey that collects detailed data on energy consumption patterns and affordability issues faced by U.S. households. Key questions asked in the 2024 survey include whether households:

• Received notices of disconnection for electricity, gas, or other energy sources;
• Experienced actual disconnections of energy services;
• Had to reduce food purchases or forgo medication to pay for energy bills;
• Maintained uncomfortably high or low temperatures in their homes due to the cost of energy.

Rising Energy Insecurity Over Time

Data comparisons from the past decade show a marked increase in energy insecurity:

• 2015: 31.3% of households reported energy insecurity;
• 2020: 27.2%, a temporary dip due to pandemic-era relief programs;
• 2024: 32.9%, which equates to 43.6 million households facing energy affordability issues.

The decrease in energy insecurity in 2020 can be attributed to government interventions such as cash relief payments and temporary bans on utility shutoffs. However, these programs did not extend into the 2024 period, leading to a resurgence in energy-related hardships.

Impact on Middle-Income Households

Middle-income households, particularly those with annual earnings between $60,000 and $200,000, have seen a sharp increase in energy affordability issues. In 2020, 20.1% of households in the $60,000-$100,000 income bracket reported difficulties. By 2024, that figure had risen to 32.1%, a substantial 12 percentage-point increase. This rise in energy insecurity among middle-income families is compounded by inflation in housing, food, and loan costs following the pandemic.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Energy insecurity disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities. Black, Hispanic, and American Indian households have long faced higher risks of energy insecurity. The 2024 survey reveals that these groups continue to experience challenges, though the rise in energy insecurity is also affecting white households. In 2020, 20.1% of white households faced energy affordability problems, but by 2024, this figure had increased to 26.4%.

Energy Insecurity Among Different Age Groups

The survey shows a growing trend of energy insecurity among both younger working-age adults and seniors:

• Working-age households, especially those with children, are increasingly struggling to meet their energy needs;
• Energy insecurity among seniors has risen from 1 in 5 households in 2020 to 1 in 4 in 2024, indicating that existing protections are becoming less effective.

Housing Quality and Energy Insecurity

It was previously believed that well-insulated homes and energy-efficient windows could protect households from high energy costs. However, the RECS data indicates that even households with good insulation are facing growing energy insecurity. Households with single-pane windows, in particular, remain at the highest risk, with a 7 percentage-point increase in energy affordability challenges.

Regional Variations and Challenges

The data shows that energy insecurity is rising most rapidly in warmer regions of the U.S.:

• Southwest: 10 percentage-point increase in energy insecurity;
• Southeast and Gulf Coast: Increase from 30.1% to 35.6%.

While rising temperatures in these regions increase the need for cooling, federal assistance programs continue to prioritize heating costs in colder states. Even in the Northeast, where heating assistance is more common, households are still struggling with energy affordability.

Limitations of Current Assistance Programs

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which was established following the 1970s oil crisis, focuses primarily on providing heating assistance for low-income households at risk of having their utilities disconnected. However, the program's funding and focus have not kept pace with changes in energy economics, including rising electricity rates, price volatility, and the slow development of renewable energy sources.

Conclusion: A Growing Crisis

The 2024 RECS data underscores that energy insecurity is no longer limited to low-income households. Middle-income families, working-age adults, and even those living in well-insulated homes are facing growing challenges in affording energy. The current safety net is not equipped to address the populations and regions experiencing the sharpest increases in energy insecurity, highlighting a significant gap in federal support for affected households.

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Author: Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a journalist covering culture, art, and literature. She is known for her creative approach and ability to produce in-depth features and interviews.