Hippo survey reveals energy-efficient cost savings is a top concern for homeowners
Your energy bill doesn’t lie. When temperatures spike–and drop–your home’s systems work harder, and the cost shows up whether you’re ready for it or not. For a growing number of homeowners, that cost is becoming harder to absorb.
According to the 2026 Hippo Housepower Report, 37% of homeowners say utility bill fluctuations impacted their financial stability in 2025.
This new analysis of Housepower data shows how homeowners are experiencing and responding to these rising costs.
Key takeaways
- 37% of homeowners say utility bill fluctuations impacted their financial stability in 2025.
- 42% of homeowners in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas say utility bill fluctuations impacted their financial stability in 2025.
- 32% of homeowners advise new buyers to make home upgrades to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
- 28% of homeowners completed maintenance tasks in 2025 to increase energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
- Sustainability is one of homeowners' top concerns. 25% of homeowners say energy efficiency and sustainability became more important to them as homeowners in 2025.
Rising utility costs are making homeowners feel less financially stable
If you’ve been a homeowner for the last few years, you’ve probably seen your energy bills spike. When overall inflation increased in 2022, the cost of electricity shot up, too, and it's still rising. As of January 2026, prices are up 7% year-over-year.1
Prices nationwide rose 25% between the start of the pandemic and November 2025.2 But on top of that, energy prices have risen far higher than the average inflation rate.3 As many Americans already struggle to manage higher prices, some are also paying more for their utilities now than they were just a few years ago. Homebuyers may not consider the energy bill when picking out their dream home, so these costs can be an unexpected financial burden.
Overall, 76% of homeowners say problems with their home impacted their financial stability in 2025. Specifically, utility bills impacted more Americans than any other home problem.
Nearly 2 in 5 homeowners (37%) say utility bill swings affected their financial stability in 2025. That puts energy costs ahead of unexpected home repairs and rising insurance premiums—two things most would rank as bigger budget concerns. It’s a reminder that the unpredictable expenses aren’t always the ones that catch you off guard.
Around 1 in 6 (16%) of homeowners say they’re facing more unexpected issues with their home purchase than they anticipated. Another 16% say maintenance and upkeep requires more effort than they planned.
Extreme weather can drive up homeowners' utilities and maintenance costs
Utility bills can surprise homeowners even during seasons with mild weather. That said, more people than ever are experiencing extreme weather like record-high summer heat and record-low winter freezes.4
This affects some regions more than others. In the Southeast states of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee, 42% of homeowners say they noticed more heat waves impacted their home in 2025. Meanwhile, in many Midwestern states, 31% of homeowners noticed more cold weather and frost challenges in 2025.
These issues can lead to higher cooling or heating bills and, in severe cases, can damage the structure of your home.
Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) homeowners say a critical system issue (like with their HVAC or water heater) caused them to complete home repairs in 2025. And 34% of homeowners had a plumbing issue that required home repairs.
As summers grow hotter, 40% of homeowners say they spent the majority of their 2025 home maintenance budget in the summer, making it the spendiest season for home maintenance.5 In the hot West-South-Central region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas), 42% of homeowners say utility bill fluctuations impacted their financial stability in 2025, the highest percentage of any region.
You can’t control the weather, but you can control how hard your home has to work because of it.
How small repairs now can help lower future energy bills
A big, energy-efficient renovation can pay off long-term, but smaller steps like routine maintenance can help, too. In fact, 28% of homeowners completed maintenance tasks in 2025 to increase energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
The following tasks can help you maintain your home's overall health and save on your energy bill:
- Routine maintenance tasks: Replace air filters every 1-3 months and follow your unit's manufacturer guidelines on when to schedule regular maintenance. Dirty or clogged filters force HVAC systems to work harder, driving up energy use.
- Seal cracks and leaks: Check doors, windows, and other openings for air leaks. If you find them, seal them. Leaks make your HVAC system strain to maintain temperature, and outside moisture can damage your home if left untreated.
- Unplug unused devices: Devices draw a small amount of power even when not in use. Consider leaving devices unplugged if you don't use them daily, like game consoles, printers, or coffee makers.
- Clean major appliances: Dishwashers, washers, and dryers have filters, too. Clean them and empty the filters at least twice a year according to the manufacturer's directions. Dirty appliances use more power to run efficiently.
Energy-efficient upgrades can make it easier to use less power
Regular maintenance can help keep your home running smoothly. But if you have the budget to upgrade, energy-efficient appliances may lower your energy usage overall, which is better for both the environment and your budget.
This is now a growing homeowner priority: 1 in 4 homeowners (25%) said energy efficiency and sustainability became more important to them in 2025. And nearly 1 in 3 homeowners (32%) advise new buyers to make home upgrades to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
Consider these energy-efficient additions:
- Smart home upgrades: Smart thermostats can automatically adjust temperatures, control temperatures remotely, and provide usage data.6 You can also consider smart light bulbs, which can turn off after a set time.
- Energy-efficient doors and windows: Energy-efficient windows are double-paned (or even triple-paned) and block heat from your rooms while still letting in the same amount of light.7 If you're on a budget, blackout curtains also help keep rooms cooler at a fraction of the price of new windows.
- Heat pumps: Air-source heat pumps can be installed in homes with a traditional forced-air ductwork system. They may look like AC units, but they can cool and heat more effectively than traditional heating systems.8
- Cool roofs: While a larger investment, cool roofs reflect sunlight off the roof of your house to keep your home cooler and take pressure off your AC.9
Understand future home costs with Hippo Insurance Services
Small changes–like updated appliances or sealing leaks–could make a real difference in energy costs over time.
If you're looking for extra peace of mind (beyond what energy efficiency upgrades can offer), contact a Hippo agent today for a personalized home insurance quote.
Methodology
Any data referencing the 2026 Housepower Survey was collected on September 22, 2025, and conducted by Centiment on behalf of Hippo Insurance Services. The results are based on 1,619 completed surveys. In order to qualify, respondents were screened to be residents of the United States, over 18 years of age, and homeowners. Data is census-balanced, and the margin of error is approximately ±2% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.
The MOE and confidence level for data filtered by specific demographics (subgroups) may differ from the overall result. Because these subgroups are naturally smaller than the total sample, they may have a larger margin of error than the ±2% for the full data set.
External sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026) Average Price: Electricity per Kilowatt-Hour in U.S. City Average
- CNBC. (2025) See how much prices have increased since 2020 — in one chart
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026) Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy in U.S. City Average
- The Guardian. (2025) Nasa data reveals dramatic rise in intensity of weather events
- Climate Central. (2025) 2025 Summer Package
- Energy Star. Smart Thermostats
- National Fenestration Rating Council. Double-pane vs. Triple-pane Windows: Which Is Better?
- Energy Star. Air-Source Heat Pumps
- Cool Roof Rating Council. What is a Cool Roof?
This article is for informational purposes only. The content reflects general homeowner considerations and is not professional advice. It also includes observed trends within the surveyed population and certain additional information compiled from sources not affiliated with Hippo. While we believe this information to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. For any insurance-related decision, please consult your licensed insurance producer.
Sources cited are publicly available and referenced in February 2026.
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