How High Are Household Energy Burdens?

How High Are Household Energy Burdens?: An Assessment of National and Metropolitan Energy Burden across the United States provides an updated snapshot of U.S. energy burdens (i.e., the percentage of household income spent on home energy bills) nationally, regionally, and in 25 select metro areas in the United States. Both high and severe energy burdens are caused by physical, economic, social, and behavioral factors, and they impact physical and mental health, education, nutrition, job performance, and community development. Energy efficiency and weatherization can help address energy insecurity (i.e., the inability to adequately meet basic household heating, cooling, and energy needs over time) by improving building energy efficiency, reducing energy bills, and improving indoor air quality and comfort (Hernández 2016).