Introduction
Energy is essential for everyday life. It powers our homes, keeps food and vaccines safe in refrigerators, provides heating and cooling, and allows businesses to operate. However, not all households are able to access energy in ways that are affordable, reliable, and safe. This situation is called energy insecurity.
Energy insecurity occurs when a household cannot adequately meet its energy needs. A community might technically have access to electricity and still experience energy insecurity. This may happen because energy costs are too high, homes are inefficient, or unexpected events disrupt normal access to electricity or fuel. Not all cases are equally severe.
Researchers describe energy insecurity using three main dimensions:
| Economic | Physical | Coping |
|---|---|---|
| A large portion of the household income must be spent on energy bills, making it difficult to pay for other essential needs like food, medicine, or transportation. | Poor housing conditions, inefficient appliances, or outdated buildings make it difficult to keep homes at safe and comfortable temperatures. | Households may adopt strategies to deal with high energy costs or unreliable access. These strategies can include reducing heating or cooling, delaying other expenses, or temporarily leaving home to find safer temperatures. |
Energy insecurity is more common than many people realize. In 2020, 33.53 million U.S. households (27% of households) reported experiencing some form of energy insecurity. Examples include:
- 24.61 million households reduced spending on food or medicine to pay energy bills.
- 12.36 million received disconnection notices from their utility company.
- 12.20 million left their homes at unsafe temperatures to avoid high bills.
- 6.03 million could not use air conditioning during extreme heat.*
- 5.08 million could not use heating equipment during cold weather.*
*Includes inability to use (air conditioning or 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.
Sources: EIA; Colombia
In this activity, you will examine several real-world scenarios involving households experiencing energy insecurity. For each scenario, you will:
- Analyze the household’s situation.
- Evaluate difficult choices they may face.
- Decide which option is the best under their circumstances.
- Consider the short- and long-term impacts of those decisions.
- Propose alternative solutions and policies that could help.
There may not be a perfect answer. The goal is to think critically about how energy access, affordability, and reliability affect people’s daily lives.
Reflect
- What are some ways people use energy in their daily lives? What uses would you consider essential for basic living?
- What might happen if a household suddenly could not afford electricity or fuel for vehicles?
- What groups of the population do you think are most at risk of energy insecurity?
Scenario 1: City Renters
Identify the Challenge
In the scenario below, before making a decision, consider the following:
- What financial challenges does this household face?
- What physical or housing challenges affect their energy use?
- What health or safety concerns exist?
Household Profile
| Apartment Renters in the City – Two adults and one toddler – Due to the high cost of living, essential expenses leave no savings for unexpected costs – One adult working full-time; one working part-time – Rent an apartment less than 1000 sq. feet – Electric heating and central air conditioning – Standard insulation for older apartments; not very energy efficient – Car required to get to work |
Pressure Event
| Event: Cold Snap Your area is experiencing multiple weeks of extremely cold weather. Daytime temperatures remain below freezing (32°F/0°C) and nighttime temperatures drop even further. Your apartment loses heat quickly due to inadequate insulation, and your electric heating system must run frequently to maintain safe indoor temperatures. Possible choices: 1. Keep the heat at a comfortable temperature all day. The result will be an electric bill 2 times what you usually pay, which will result in having to give up something else essential to cover, like food or gas for the car. 2. Lower the thermostat and use extra layers, blankets and limited space heating. Your electricity bill will be about 1.5 times what you usually pay, which is still out of budget. The apartment will feel cold, and there is a risk of illness and hypothermia, especially for the toddler. 3. Turn the heat to the lowest setting and rely on layers, blankets and limited heating. The electricity bill will be lower than usual, which will save some money. However, the apartment may become uncomfortably or dangerously cold, with high risk of hypothermia, especially overnight. |
Decision Analysis
| Decision Which of the possible choices do you choose? Circle your choice: 1 2 3 | Reasoning Short Term Benefits: Short-Term Risks: Long-Term Consequences: Other Considerations: |
Energy Access Evaluation
For the decision you chose, answer each question with an X and then explain your thinking.
| Question | No/Not Really | Yes | Explain Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is energy available? | | ||
| Is energy affordable? | | ||
| Is energy reliable? | | ||
| Does energy access support safety and health? | |
Reflection
- Alternative Solution
Can you think of another realistic solution for the household? Your solution must work within the household’s financial and physical limitations and cannot depend on luck (winning the lottery, etc.).
- Propose a government policy or community-driven solution to support your household as it faces energy insecurity.
- Find a classmate with the same scenario. Summarize their choice and reasoning.
Scenario 2: Rural Homeowner
Identify the Challenge
In the scenario below, before making a decision, consider the following:
- What financial challenges does this household face?
- What physical or housing challenges affect their energy use?
- What health or safety concerns exist?
Household Profile
| Single Adult Homeowner in Rural Area – One adult and a mid-size dog – Adult has limited mobility and a health condition that often flares up when routine is disrupted – Refrigerator is needed for essential medicine – Income varies depending on hours worked – Owns an old 1,200 sq. ft home with poor insulation – Home has an inefficient window air conditioner – Phone and internet are essential for communication with family and medical care teams – Home needs repairs |
Pressure Event
| Event: Power Outage It is summer, and the temperature is in the high 80s (Fahrenheit). A storm causes a power outage in your community that may last more than a day. Electricity is unavailable for lighting (making it potentially dangerous to move throughout the house after sunset), refrigeration, and use of window air conditioners. Possible choices: 1. Wait for the power to return. Try to use ice packs or frozen items from the freezer to preserve medicine. The high temperature will increase health risk, for the pet as well. Use a power bank to charge the phone for a limited time. 2. A limited solution is to run the car periodically to cool off and charge the phone. This will provide temporary cooling, but there is the risk of running out of gas. This will not keep medicine refrigerated. 3. Buy a small portable generator to keep essential appliances running. This will keep the refrigerator on and may also power lights or a fan to cool down. However, the cost of the generator and fuel will result in debt that will take a long time to pay off and result in any other home repairs, like a leaky pipe, not being able to be fixed. |
Decision Analysis
| Decision Which of the possible choices do you choose? Circle your choice: 1 2 3 | Reasoning Short Term Benefits: Short-Term Risks: Long-Term Consequences: Other Considerations: |
Energy Access Evaluation
For the decision you chose, answer each question with an X and then explain your thinking.
| Question | No/Not Really | Yes | Explain Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is energy available? | |||
| Is energy affordable? | | ||
| Is energy reliable? | | ||
| Does energy access support safety and health? | |
Reflection
- Alternative Solution
Can you think of another realistic solution for the household? Your solution must work within the household’s financial and physical limitations and cannot depend on luck (winning the lottery, etc.).
- Propose a government policy or community-driven solution to support your household as it faces energy insecurity.
- Find a classmate with the same scenario. Summarize their choice and reasoning.
Scenario 3: Business Owners
Identify the Challenge
In the scenario below, before making a decision, consider the following:
- What financial challenges does this household face?
- What physical or housing challenges affect their energy use?
- What health or safety concerns exist?
Household Profile
| Small Business Owners in Suburbs – Two middle-aged adults who are married – Own and operate a small landscaping service business – Business relies on trucks for transportation and fuel-powered equipment – Income depends on how well the business performs each month – Business runs on small profit margins, leaving little room for rising costs – The couple does most of the physical work themselves – Prices are kept affordable for their customers |
Pressure Event
| Event: Rising Gas Prices Fuel for trucks, mowers, and other landscaping equipment is an important part of keeping your business running and income secure. Gasoline prices in your area have been steadily increasing for the past few months. Even though fuel is available, the rising cost is making it difficult to maintain a stable income. Possible choices: 1. Continue servicing clients as usual and keep prices the same, maintaining your loyal client base. The higher fuel costs will limit profit, and If prices stay high for months, the business may begin to go into debt. 2. Reduce travel by grouping jobs in the same neighborhood and limiting service days. This saves fuel and lowers operating costs. However, it also risks losing customers who don’t like the new schedule or longer wait times to competitors who offer more flexible service. 3. Raise service prices or add a fuel surcharge to cover higher fuel costs. This helps the business keep up with rising expenses and maintain profit. However, higher prices could cause some customers to cut back on services or switch to less expensive competitors. |
Decision Analysis
| Decision Which of the possible choices do you choose? Circle your choice: 1 2 3 | Reasoning Short Term Benefits: Short-Term Risks: Long-Term Consequences: Other Considerations: |
Energy Access Evaluation
For the decision you chose, answer each question with an X and then explain your thinking.
| Question | No/Not Really | Yes | Explain Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is energy available? | |||
| Is energy affordable? | | ||
| Is energy reliable? | | ||
| Does energy access support safety and health? | |
Reflection
- Alternative Solution
Can you think of another realistic solution for the household? Your solution must work within the household’s financial and physical limitations and cannot depend on luck (winning the lottery, etc.).
- Propose a government policy or community-driven solution to support your household as it faces energy insecurity.
- Find a classmate with the same scenario. Summarize their choice and reasoning.
Final Reflection
- Did any household technically have access to energy but still struggle to meet their needs? What does this show about the difference between energy access and energy security?
- Which household do you think faced the most difficult decision? Why?
- What common challenges appeared across different households?
- How might energy policies help reduce energy insecurity in the future?