Americans 50-Plus Are Concerned About Utility Costs Going Up

Extreme weather conditions can be a challenge to anyone managing home energy costs, including adequately heating or cooling their home to safeguard their health from the impact of frigid cold winters or extremely hot and humid summers. But exposure to extreme weather conditions and increasing energy costs can be particularly taxing on older adults and lower income households.

This new AARP survey of Americans 50 and older found that concern about having affordable electricity service rises above having reliable service, and this is especially true for older adults with annual household incomes less than $60,000.  Yet, well over half say they’ve experienced an increase in the cost of each utility bill listed in the survey (electricity, water/sewer, fuel oil, gas) over the past 12 months, with nearly two-thirds (63%) citing an increase in their electric bill. And they don’t see much relief ahead — at least 3 in 4 are concerned about the cost of each utility going up, with 83% saying they are concerned about an increase in the cost of their electricity service.

To help with this situation, AARP continues to work with policymakers and community-based organizations to expand outreach and to strengthen the availability of low-income energy assistance programs, fair disconnection policies, and streamlined enrollment processes. 

Methodology

This poll of 1,009 U.S. adults age 50 and older was fielded April 10, 2025, through April 14, 2025, using the Foresight 50+ Consumer Omnibus that draws from a probability-based panel. This panel is funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and region.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.