Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 123.53 33.58 24.61 12.20 12.36 4.93 6.35

Census region and division

Northeast 21.92 5.54 3.82 2.38 1.84 0.79 0.84

New England 5.88 1.36 0.93 0.57 0.42 0.25 0.19

Middle Atlantic 16.04 4.17 2.89 1.81 1.43 0.54 0.65

Midwest 27.04 6.58 4.87 2.01 2.80 0.94 1.04

East North Central 18.55 4.78 3.52 1.46 2.01 0.63 0.74

West North Central 8.50 1.80 1.35 0.55 0.79 0.31 0.30

South 46.84 14.00 10.66 4.65 5.69 2.09 3.11

South Atlantic 24.84 6.58 4.99 2.26 2.68 0.96 1.50

East South Central 7.38 2.38 1.85 0.85 0.98 0.38 0.58

West South Central 14.62 5.03 3.83 1.53 2.03 0.74 1.03

West 27.72 7.46 5.25 3.16 2.02 1.12 1.36

Mountain 9.22 2.26 1.65 0.86 0.75 0.39 0.45

Mountain North 4.62 1.01 0.74 0.32 0.38 0.15 0.18

Mountain South 4.60 1.25 0.91 0.54 0.37 0.24 0.28

Pacific 18.51 5.20 3.60 2.30 1.27 0.73 0.90

Census urban/rural classificatione

Urban 100.44 28.04 20.54 10.27 10.32 3.93 5.31

Urbanized area 89.24 24.86 18.19 9.14 9.04 3.47 4.81

Urban cluster 11.20 3.18 2.35 1.13 1.28 0.45 0.50

Rural 23.09 5.54 4.06 1.93 2.04 1.01 1.03

Climate regionf

Very-cold/Cold 42.50 10.02 7.23 3.51 3.82 1.36 1.43

Mixed-humid 36.79 10.51 7.74 3.81 4.21 1.66 2.26

Mixed-dry/Hot-dry 15.06 4.75 3.41 2.05 1.29 0.77 0.98

Hot-humid 22.31 6.72 5.19 2.11 2.68 0.99 1.50

Marine 6.87 1.58 1.03 0.71 0.36 0.16 0.17

Housing unit type

Single-family detached 77.07 17.09 11.93 5.89 6.33 2.77 3.75

Single-family attached 7.45 2.10 1.57 0.80 0.76 0.25 0.34

Apartments in buildings with 2–4 

units 9.34 4.19 3.32 1.61 1.55 0.52 0.59

Apartments in buildings with 5 or 

more units 22.84 7.00 5.27 2.75 2.27 0.61 0.88

Mobile homes 6.83 3.21 2.51 1.15 1.45 0.78 0.79

Number of housing units (million)

Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 123.53 33.58 24.61 12.20 12.36 4.93 6.35

Number of housing units (million)

Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Year of construction

Before 1950 20.26 5.96 4.16 2.43 2.26 1.08 1.04

1950 to 1959 12.48 3.70 2.60 1.39 1.31 0.61 0.81

1960 to 1969 12.76 3.92 2.92 1.29 1.52 0.51 0.72

1970 to 1979 18.34 5.48 4.21 2.05 1.97 0.69 0.94

1980 to 1989 16.30 4.52 3.32 1.82 1.72 0.74 0.89

1990 to 1999 17.16 4.08 3.02 1.31 1.51 0.66 0.92

2000 to 2009 16.16 3.61 2.66 1.11 1.22 0.38 0.75

2010 to 2015 5.53 1.34 1.01 0.47 0.52 0.16 0.21

2016 to 2020 4.56 0.96 0.72 0.33 0.33 0.09 0.06

Main heating fuel and equipment

Natural gas 62.71 15.28 10.80 5.33 5.45 1.99 2.99

Electricity 42.57 13.21 10.02 4.64 5.20 1.61 2.45

Fuel oil or kerosene 4.93 1.19 0.79 0.54 0.45 0.30 0.18

Propane 5.21 1.15 0.90 0.42 0.35 0.28 0.13

Wood 2.25 0.52 0.38 0.27 0.14 0.18 0.10

Some other fuelg Q Q Q Q Q N N

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 2.21 1.71 1.00 0.76 0.57 0.49

Main heating equipment (including 

all fuels)

Central warm-air furnace 74.42 18.55 13.51 6.13 7.23 2.59 3.71

Heat pump 16.13 4.17 3.27 1.34 1.59 0.37 0.73

Steam or hot water system 9.29 2.40 1.53 1.09 0.72 0.39 0.37

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 1.06 0.29 0.18 0.10 Q Q Q

Built-in electric units 7.65 2.47 1.80 1.06 0.84 0.22 0.32

Built-in oil or gas room heater 3.49 1.33 1.04 0.52 0.40 0.27 0.18

Portable electric heaters 3.03 1.54 1.16 0.68 0.57 0.31 0.38

Heating stove burning wood 1.94 0.45 0.31 0.23 0.11 0.16 0.08

Some other equipment 0.74 0.16 0.11 Q 0.07 Q Q

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 2.21 1.71 1.00 0.76 0.57 0.49

Air-conditioning equipment

Uses air-conditioning equipment 109.51 28.48 21.00 9.97 10.70 4.03 5.70

Does not use air-conditioning 

equipment 14.02 5.10 3.61 2.23 1.66 0.90 0.65

Main type of air-conditioning 

equipment used 

Central air-conditioning equipment 

(including central heat pump) 82.69 18.37 13.50 5.91 7.05 2.37 3.75

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 1.76 0.34 0.19 0.14 0.14 0.08 0.10

Window or wall air conditioner 21.43 8.43 6.36 3.33 3.13 1.38 1.52

Portable air conditioner 2.68 0.96 0.66 0.41 0.29 0.16 0.23

Evaporative or swamp cooler 0.95 0.38 0.29 0.18 0.09 Q 0.09

Does not use air-conditioning 

equipment 14.02 5.10 3.61 2.23 1.66 0.90 0.65
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 123.53 33.58 24.61 12.20 12.36 4.93 6.35

Number of housing units (million)

Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Adequacy of insulation

Well insulated 34.34 6.58 4.90 2.00 2.17 0.74 1.07

Adequately insulated 64.27 15.34 11.13 4.80 5.60 1.77 2.89

Poorly insulated 21.29 9.80 7.17 4.48 3.98 2.01 2.00

No insulation 3.63 1.85 1.41 0.92 0.61 0.41 0.38

Type of glass in windows

Single-pane glass 43.51 15.97 11.93 6.07 6.24 2.61 3.03

Double-pane glass 77.95 17.25 12.44 5.93 6.04 2.27 3.25

Triple-pane glass 2.07 0.35 0.24 0.20 0.07 Q 0.07

Number of household members

1 member 33.59 8.52 6.07 3.66 2.62 1.07 1.20

2 members 45.31 9.56 6.70 3.64 3.15 1.26 1.86

3 members 18.27 5.87 4.42 1.85 2.18 0.95 1.02

4 members 15.56 5.08 3.91 1.61 2.10 0.69 1.09

5 members 6.44 2.45 1.93 0.75 1.22 0.52 0.62

6 or more members 4.37 2.08 1.59 0.68 1.09 0.45 0.56

2020 annual household income

Less than $5,000 4.48 2.60 2.10 1.11 1.19 0.50 0.54

$5,000 to $9,999 4.01 2.25 1.87 0.85 0.78 0.38 0.32

$10,000 to $19,999 10.25 4.80 3.86 2.12 1.86 0.82 0.88

$20,000 to $39,999 24.07 9.56 7.54 3.60 3.46 1.52 1.97

$40,000 to $59,999 19.61 5.74 4.22 1.75 2.25 0.83 1.14

$60,000 to $99,999 27.71 5.57 3.56 1.57 1.94 0.56 0.92

$100,000 to $149,999 16.54 1.84 1.01 0.68 0.62 0.20 0.34

$150,000 or more 16.86 1.22 0.44 0.52 0.26 0.14 0.24

Payment method for energy bills

All paid by household 112.70 30.36 22.29 10.92 11.57 4.43 5.89

Some paid by household; some 

included in rent or condo fee 4.34 1.01 0.57 0.47 0.18 0.13 0.12

All included in rent or condo fee 0.72 0.16 0.13 Q Q Q Q

Some other method 5.77 2.04 1.61 0.74 0.60 0.35 0.31

Householder 60 or olderh

Yes 52.11 10.00 6.93 4.38 2.77 1.41 1.89

No 71.42 23.57 17.67 7.81 9.59 3.53 4.46

Children under 18 in household

Yes 34.58 12.88 10.02 3.97 5.90 2.25 2.81

No 88.95 20.69 14.59 8.22 6.46 2.69 3.54

Ethnicity of householderh

Hispanic or Latino 13.99 6.57 5.14 2.40 2.24 0.92 1.19

Not Hispanic or Latino 109.54 27.01 19.47 9.79 10.12 4.02 5.15
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 123.53 33.58 24.61 12.20 12.36 4.93 6.35

Number of housing units (million)

Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Race of householderh,i

White alone 99.99 23.17 16.78 8.47 8.02 3.23 4.28

Hispanic or Latino 12.04 5.52 4.43 2.02 1.87 0.76 1.00

Not Hispanic or Latino 87.94 17.66 12.35 6.44 6.15 2.47 3.28

Black or African American alone 12.95 6.73 5.21 2.26 3.37 1.23 1.42

Hispanic or Latino 0.63 0.35 0.26 0.11 0.14 Q Q

Not Hispanic or Latino 12.32 6.39 4.95 2.15 3.23 1.16 1.34

Asian alone 6.06 1.53 1.03 0.75 0.21 0.18 0.26

American Indian or Alaska Native 

alone 1.08 0.56 0.41 0.17 0.19 0.11 0.07

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific 

Islander alone 0.35 0.15 0.12 Q Q Q Q

More than one race 3.10 1.43 1.06 0.51 0.53 0.18 0.31

Ownership of housing unitj

Owned 82.92 16.92 11.76 5.99 5.49 2.84 3.83

Rented 40.61 16.66 12.84 6.20 6.87 2.09 2.52

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Demand and Integrated Statistics, Form EIA-457A of the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption 

Survey

Notes: Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. See RECS Terminology for the definitions of terms used in these tables.

a Total U.S. includes all primary occupied housing units in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Vacant housing units, seasonal units, second homes, military 

houses, and group quarters are excluded.

b Household energy insecurity as defined in this table includes only those issues collected as part of the RECS questionnaire. Other factors, such as energy costs as a 

percentage of household income, could be considered as household energy insecurity, but they are not included here. Respondents may report more than one 

energy insecurity issue.

c Includes inability to use main heating equipment at any time during the previous 12 months because equipment was broken and household could not have it 

repaired or because of an electricity, natural gas, or bulk fuel disruption due to lack of payment.

d Includes inability to use air-conditoning equipment at any time during the previous 12 months because equipment was broken and household could not have it 

repaired or because of an electricity disruption due to lack of payment.

e Housing units are classified using criteria created by the U.S. Census Bureau based on 2010 Census data. Urbanized areas are densely settled groupings of blocks or 

tracts with 50,000 or more people, while urban clusters have at least 2,500 but less than 50,000 people. All other areas are rural.

f The Building America program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), created these climate 

regions. We combined climate regions for this publication. The Subarctic region is included with data for Very-cold/Cold . g Some other fuel includes coal and district steam.

h These characteristics refer to the householder that completed the RECS questionnaire. 

i Householders could select more than one racial category to describe themselves. These householders are only included as more than one race . 

j Rent includes households that occupy their primary housing units without paying rent.

Q = Data withheld because either the relative standard error (RSE) was greater than 50% or fewer than 10 households were in the reporting sample.

N = No households in reporting sample.
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 0.00 1.48 1.68 2.95 2.35 4.71 3.79

Census region and division

Northeast 0.00 3.56 4.13 6.07 6.16 9.84 10.27

New England 0.00 5.77 7.28 9.85 9.23 12.82 14.71

Middle Atlantic 0.00 4.24 5.42 7.30 7.51 13.71 12.03

Midwest 0.00 3.40 3.87 8.01 5.28 11.21 10.42

East North Central 0.00 4.36 4.92 9.72 6.54 14.35 11.87

West North Central 0.00 5.18 6.51 10.33 9.43 13.04 14.80

South 0.00 2.23 2.82 4.89 3.91 6.45 5.75

South Atlantic 0.00 3.09 4.14 6.40 5.97 11.56 8.70

East South Central 0.00 4.29 5.16 9.23 8.09 12.79 9.84

West South Central 0.00 3.58 4.40 8.03 5.92 8.90 10.43

West 0.00 3.08 3.60 5.25 7.22 10.20 8.59

Mountain 0.00 4.39 5.77 6.98 8.96 12.59 12.52

Mountain North 0.00 6.84 8.75 14.06 11.87 20.81 22.24

Mountain South 0.00 5.78 7.47 9.10 12.50 17.31 13.78

Pacific 0.00 3.88 4.93 6.73 10.61 12.75 11.55

Census urban/rural classificatione

Urban 0.28 1.64 1.86 2.97 2.53 5.07 4.14

Urbanized area 0.42 1.73 2.02 3.10 2.61 5.38 4.30

Urban cluster 2.74 4.40 4.96 7.41 8.45 14.67 12.43

Rural 1.23 3.69 4.12 6.53 6.31 8.22 10.26

Climate regionf

Very-cold/Cold 0.54 2.85 3.05 4.91 4.34 7.34 8.42

Mixed-humid 0.77 2.60 3.06 4.39 4.78 7.43 4.97

Mixed-dry/Hot-dry 1.23 3.83 4.65 6.77 10.22 12.47 9.73

Hot-humid 0.69 3.31 4.11 7.33 6.45 9.36 9.80

Marine 2.39 6.89 9.12 11.96 17.90 25.49 22.07

Housing unit type

Single-family detached 0.00 1.98 2.35 3.96 3.46 5.48 4.38

Single-family attached 0.00 4.81 5.60 8.32 10.09 14.23 10.48

Apartments in buildings with 2–4 

units 0.00 3.33 4.34 6.97 6.57 13.24 14.47

Apartments in buildings with 5 or 

more units 0.00 3.34 3.79 6.36 6.56 14.38 11.20

Mobile homes 0.00 3.72 4.29 9.09 7.20 12.69 11.62

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 0.00 1.48 1.68 2.95 2.35 4.71 3.79

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Year of construction

Before 1950 0.00 3.30 4.19 6.46 5.75 10.61 9.10

1950 to 1959 0.00 4.19 6.08 8.61 7.46 10.67 9.50

1960 to 1969 0.00 4.14 4.48 9.24 7.95 17.92 11.29

1970 to 1979 0.00 3.42 3.93 6.59 6.05 10.54 9.18

1980 to 1989 0.00 3.91 4.93 8.28 7.48 12.00 12.11

1990 to 1999 0.00 4.28 5.70 8.40 8.04 11.94 10.79

2000 to 2009 0.00 4.06 4.77 6.48 7.04 12.89 8.55

2010 to 2015 2.84 7.65 8.15 12.82 11.41 22.47 23.67

2016 to 2020 3.44 8.41 9.76 17.28 17.84 31.68 38.55

Main heating fuel and equipment

Natural gas 0.77 2.27 2.76 4.29 4.24 7.44 6.03

Electricity 0.92 2.58 2.86 5.11 4.50 7.04 6.06

Fuel oil or kerosene 3.50 6.55 8.84 11.41 10.60 14.77 19.42

Propane 3.76 6.56 8.18 13.04 13.95 15.52 20.75

Wood 4.88 12.07 14.74 16.94 25.56 19.57 30.82

Some other fuelg 35.67 72.54 72.54 100.21 100.21 0.00 0.00

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 6.90 8.09 10.48 12.61 14.38 16.27

Main heating equipment (including 

all fuels)

Central warm-air furnace 0.58 1.99 2.54 4.10 3.41 5.41 5.65

Heat pump 1.83 4.81 5.36 8.70 7.50 14.97 9.98

Steam or hot water system 2.89 5.69 6.94 9.55 11.56 14.15 18.96

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 8.94 18.01 22.92 30.98 35.58 49.83 34.66

Built-in electric units 2.83 5.18 6.94 8.66 10.55 20.67 18.70

Built-in oil or gas room heater 5.37 8.72 9.32 14.19 14.85 22.57 23.20

Portable electric heaters 6.15 7.96 9.69 13.87 14.27 19.40 17.21

Heating stove burning wood 5.46 13.28 16.27 19.09 29.55 20.65 34.22

Some other equipment 9.92 23.68 26.08 38.14 34.34 72.36 59.59

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 6.90 8.09 10.48 12.61 14.38 16.27

Air-conditioning equipment

Uses air-conditioning equipment 0.35 1.56 1.88 3.19 2.64 5.20 4.19

Does not use air-conditioning 

equipment 2.70 4.57 5.30 6.46 7.52 10.46 12.23

Main type of air-conditioning 

equipment used 

Central air-conditioning equipment 

(including central heat pump) 0.55 2.15 2.56 3.69 3.48 6.66 5.51

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 6.82 16.41 24.75 26.09 25.44 35.89 31.27

Window or wall air conditioner 2.04 3.42 3.77 5.94 4.73 8.72 7.96

Portable air conditioner 5.77 9.94 12.04 15.71 17.91 26.17 22.01

Evaporative or swamp cooler 8.39 13.74 15.89 22.07 29.78 43.85 34.82

Does not use air-conditioning 

equipment 2.70 4.57 5.30 6.46 7.52 10.46 12.23
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 0.00 1.48 1.68 2.95 2.35 4.71 3.79

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Adequacy of insulation

Well insulated 1.43 3.18 3.68 7.83 7.15 11.89 9.46

Adequately insulated 0.76 2.27 2.66 4.53 3.47 7.37 6.25

Poorly insulated 1.85 2.77 3.03 4.48 3.95 6.82 6.40

No insulation 5.49 7.91 10.41 10.49 12.96 15.82 14.62

Type of glass in windows

Single-pane glass 1.08 2.49 2.63 4.47 3.58 5.73 5.59

Double-pane glass 0.61 2.07 2.54 3.51 3.65 6.48 4.93

Triple-pane glass 6.23 14.32 17.90 16.67 35.12 43.76 31.00

Number of household members

1 member 1.25 3.50 4.02 5.22 6.01 10.96 7.59

2 members 1.15 2.90 3.25 6.02 5.36 8.72 6.73

3 members 1.87 3.48 4.24 7.61 7.28 11.00 9.03

4 members 2.08 4.33 4.46 8.60 7.47 10.87 9.67

5 members 4.12 6.99 7.31 10.87 9.69 13.18 13.96

6 or more members 4.58 6.51 6.77 11.44 10.16 13.43 13.42

2020 annual household income

Less than $5,000 4.63 5.93 6.19 9.47 9.96 11.38 16.00

$5,000 to $9,999 5.53 6.62 6.83 12.73 10.98 15.92 17.35

$10,000 to $19,999 3.21 4.60 5.41 6.47 7.50 12.63 10.19

$20,000 to $39,999 1.98 3.04 3.54 5.16 5.11 8.20 6.62

$40,000 to $59,999 1.83 3.78 4.52 7.77 6.78 10.67 9.89

$60,000 to $99,999 1.58 4.04 5.78 6.74 6.35 12.77 9.09

$100,000 to $149,999 1.83 6.17 9.28 9.92 12.78 19.80 15.20

$150,000 or more 1.93 7.80 15.35 14.00 17.10 25.03 17.29

Payment method for energy bills

All paid by household 0.27 1.53 1.71 3.02 2.63 4.83 3.94

Some paid by household; some 

included in rent or condo fee 4.78 10.62 15.20 14.64 28.02 25.91 39.81

All included in rent or condo fee 12.26 23.06 26.85 37.80 66.02 100.26 58.26

Some other method 4.08 6.27 7.63 12.01 12.34 21.34 17.31

Householder 60 or olderh

Yes 0.94 3.32 4.08 4.99 5.06 7.77 6.70

No 0.69 1.88 2.00 3.51 2.65 5.67 4.68

Children under 18 in household

Yes 1.29 2.71 2.53 4.58 3.92 5.84 6.20

No 0.50 2.23 2.62 4.00 3.75 6.09 5.26

Ethnicity of householderh

Hispanic or Latino 2.50 3.87 4.08 7.49 7.01 9.58 8.84

Not Hispanic or Latino 0.32 1.65 2.03 3.48 2.60 5.47 4.35
Total U.S.a

Any household 

energy 

insecurityb

Reducing or 

forgoing food 

or medicine to 

pay energy 

costs

Leaving home 

at unhealthy 

temperature

Receiving 

disconnect or 

delivery stop 

notice

Unable to use 

heating 

equipmentc

Unable to use 

airconditioning 

equipmentd

All homes 0.00 1.48 1.68 2.95 2.35 4.71 3.79

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC11.1 Household energy insecurity, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Households reporting...

Preliminary data release date: March 2022

Preliminary data revised release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Race of householderh,i

White alone 0.37 1.68 1.83 3.66 3.00 5.72 4.92

Hispanic or Latino 2.92 4.20 4.18 8.74 7.50 11.40 10.30

Not Hispanic or Latino 0.48 2.07 2.51 4.38 3.28 6.78 5.53

Black or African American alone 2.23 3.33 3.92 7.37 4.66 7.95 7.15

Hispanic or Latino 14.07 18.56 22.01 30.94 27.72 43.37 39.78

Not Hispanic or Latino 2.34 3.60 4.16 7.39 4.57 7.60 6.94

Asian alone 3.04 8.62 10.97 11.92 23.06 23.27 16.46

American Indian or Alaska Native 

alone 9.55 14.40 18.39 22.78 22.93 37.28 35.36

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific 

Islander alone 15.09 24.25 27.51 64.83 51.73 100.38 68.71

More than one race 4.87 7.05 8.25 16.34 11.92 22.68 18.98

Ownership of housing unitj

Owned 0.42 2.17 2.48 3.88 3.96 5.34 4.64

Rented 0.86 2.18 2.59 3.93 3.04 7.47 6.24

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Demand and Integrated Statistics, Form EIA-457A of the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption 

Survey

Notes: See RECS Terminology for the definitions of terms used in these tables.

a Total U.S. includes all primary occupied housing units in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Vacant housing units, seasonal units, second homes, military 

houses, and group quarters are excluded.

b Household energy insecurity as defined in this table includes only those issues collected as part of the RECS questionnaire. Other factors, such as energy costs as a 

percentage of household income, could be considered as household energy insecurity, but they are not included here. Respondents may report more than one 

energy insecurity issue.

c Includes inability to use main heating equipment at any time during the previous 12 months because equipment was broken and household could not have it 

repaired or because of an electricity, natural gas, or bulk fuel disruption due to lack of payment.

d Includes inability to use air-conditoning equipment at any time during the previous 12 months because equipment was broken and household could not have it 

repaired or because of an electricity disruption due to lack of payment.

e Housing units are classified using criteria created by the U.S. Census Bureau based on 2010 Census data. Urbanized areas are densely settled groupings of blocks or 

tracts with 50,000 or more people, while urban clusters have at least 2,500 but less than 50,000 people. All other areas are rural.

f The Building America program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), created these climate 

regions. We combined climate regions for this publication. The Subarctic region is included with data for Very-cold/Cold . g Some other fuel includes coal and district steam. h These characteristics refer to the householder that completed the RECS questionnaire. 

i Householders could select more than one racial category to describe themselves. These householders are only included as more than one race . j Rent includes households that occupy their primary housing units without paying rent.