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More than a Burden: How High Energy Costs Threaten Household Stability
Summary
For families already stretching every dollar, rising energy costs are at a breaking point. As climate change drives up temperatures and utility bills, its financial toll lands hardest on those with the fewest resources. SaverLife’s research initiative, The Downpour, examines how climate change fuels chronic financial instability for low- to moderate-income households. Our earlier findings revealed how climate-driven income disruptions, unexpected expenses, and debt erode families’ financial health—and how solutions like clean energy tax credits could offer relief. This report dives deeper into one of the most pressing dimensions of this crisis: energy affordability.
Energy burden is a financial emergency
In this report, we explore how climate change adds to the financial pressures households face—this time highlighting the struggle of energy affordability.
Key Findings
Eight in ten members say their energy bills increased in the past year. Nearly half (48%) received a shutoff notice, and 16% experienced a disconnection.
Nearly half of members are energy burdened, with 35% of members being severely burdened, spending over 10% of their income on utilities.
Black and Latino households face disproportionate energy burdens, with 43% of Latino households and 40% of Black households experiencing severe burdens compared to 33% of white households. Renters—who are more likely to be Black and Latino—also face higher burdens than homeowners, compounding the inequities.
Only 26% of members are enrolled in budget billing, 23% in LIHEAP, and just 8% in home weatherization programs. These programs offer immediate relief but remain out of reach for too many households.
More than 80% of members express interest in clean energy upgrades like efficient appliances and weatherization. Yet only 19% say they could afford to make such purchases outright; 78% say they would need financial assistance or loans.
Member story: A Texas mom on responsibility, resilience, and the power bills that test her every month
Meet Waverly, a SaverLife member who knows all too well the burden of rising energy costs and the ripple effects they have on her household’s financial health.
Members share their climate resilience stories
We’ve spoken with members across the country about how climate change is impacting their financial health
