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Many Americans hold utility companies responsible for their rising home energy bills

Pew Research Center · David Kent · last updated

Three-quarters of U.S. adults say their home energy costs have gone up in recent years, including 42% who say these costs have gone up a lot.

Home energy costs are rising faster than inflation in the United States, and there’s no sign that the increases are slowing down.

Overall, three-quarters of U.S. adults say their home energy costs have gone up in recent years, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. This includes 42% who say these costs have gone up a lot.

When asked why they think their home energy costs are rising, Americans most commonly say it’s due to utility companies wanting to make more money: 64% say this is a major reason. But many see other factors at play, too. For example, most say electrical grid upgrade costs and increased energy use at data centers are at least minor reasons for their rising bills.

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