How High Are Household Energy Burdens? An Assessment of National and Metropolitan Energy Burdens across the U.S.
This report examines residential energy affordability at the national and regional levels as well as in 25 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. We analyze how household energy bu…
This report examines residential energy affordability at the national and regional levels as well as in 25 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. We analyze how household energy burdens—the percentage of household income spent on energy bills—vary across specific groups based on factors such as income, housing type and age, tenure, race and ethnicity, and occupant age. Findings demonstrate that high energy burdens are a persistent national challenge We also find that nationally, regionally, and across all metro areas, low-income, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and older adult households had disproportionally higher energy burdens than the average household. We conclude by highlighting weatherization as a long-term strategy that can mitigate high energy burdens, and we explore policy-related strategies to accelerate, improve, and better target low-income housing retrofits, energy efficiency and weatherization.
Metropolitan Area and National Fact Sheets
The report is accompanied by fact sheets highlighting energy burdens in 25 individual metro areas, as well as a fact sheet on national regional energy burdens.
Bridging the Equity Gap for Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Utility energy efficiency programs have increased investment in low-income households, but significant gaps remain. This report examines spending and savings trends across 48 major U.S. utilities, identifies barriers to expanding low-income programs and highlights policies and program strategies that can improve energy affordability and equitable access to efficiency upgrades.
Efficiency Saves: Cutting Energy Waste Can Save $31,000 per Household
The United States faces interlocking energy challenges: rising home energy bills and gasoline prices; new demand for electricity from data centers and other loads; high greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
Now, a new era of energy efficiency progress in our buildings, transportation, and industry is needed to meet this moment. This wide-ranging study finds a massive opportunity.
Congress Can Cut Freight Costs and Consumer Prices by Addressing Key Issues in the BUILD America 250 Act
The BUILD America 250 Act, advanced by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would eliminate or weaken many programs that help lower transportation …
Maximizing State Transportation Investments: How Redirecting Spending from Highway Expansion to Public Transit Supports Economies and Communities
Costs to deliver transportation projects have risen drastically in recent years. To avoid wasteful spending, each new dollar invested in transportation infrastructur…
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Drehobl, Ariel, Lauren Ross, and Roxana Ayala. “How High Are Household Energy Burdens? An Assessment of National and Metropolitan Energy Burdens across the U.S.” ACEEE | American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. September 10, 2020. https://www.aceee.org/resource/u2006/.
