Energy literacy can affect how people go about their daily lives and make important decisions about their energy use. To find out just how much Americans know about how energy works, we surveyed 1,007 of them and gave them a quiz assessing their understanding of fundamental energy concepts. The results revealed notable gaps in knowledge, particularly around deregulation and disaster preparedness. Our insights here offer opportunities to enhance your energy awareness and possibly save on your next energy bill.
Key Takeaways
- 21% of Americans have no knowledge at all about energy deregulation.
- Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (33%) feel unprepared for power outages or energy-related emergencies.
- 1 in 4 Texans feel unprepared for power outages, yet only 26% invested in backup power last year.
- Wisconsin (48%), Pennsylvania (44%), and Indiana (38%) rank as the top states where residents feel the least to handle power outages or energy-related emergencies.
- 48% of Americans believe data centers and AI technologies will lead to more frequent blackouts.
- 65% believe misinformation about energy is influencing public policy.
- Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) believe big energy companies profit from energy-related crises.
America’s Energy IQ
- 63% of Americans correctly distinguished between fission and fusion, while 37% either misunderstood or were unsure.
- 21% of Americans admitted to having no knowledge at all about energy deregulation.
- Gen Z leads in energy deregulation unawareness, with 1 in 4 (25%) admitting they don’t know anything about it.
- Only 8% of Americans fully understand how deregulation impacts energy costs and provider choice, while 40% admit they don’t understand it at all.
- Nearly half of Americans (46%) feel somewhat knowledgeable about fracking, while 50% have little to no understanding of it. Gen Z (22%) was the most likely generation to report having no knowledge about fracking.
- Among Texans, 52% feel somewhat knowledgeable about fracking, while 44% have little to no understanding of it.
Preparedness for Power Outages Remains Low
- Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (33%) feel unprepared for power outages or energy-related emergencies.
- Wisconsin (48%), Pennsylvania (44%), and Indiana (38%) rank as the top states where residents feel the least prepared to handle power outages or energy-related emergencies.
- Top states feeling unprepared for power outages or energy-related emergencies:
- Wisconsin 48%
- Pennsylvania 44%
- Indiana 38%
- Tennessee 38%
- Missouri 37%
- Illinois 36%
- Massachusetts 36%
- Ohio 34%
- Washington 33%
- Colorado 33%
- 1 in 4 Texans feel unprepared for power outages, yet only 26% invested in backup power last year.
- Renters (37%) were more likely than homeowners (30%) to feel unprepared for power outages. Only 13% of renters had invested in backup power compared to 23% of homeowners.
- During power outages, Americans are more likely to prioritize powering their cell phone (88%) than their fridge or freezer (63%).
- Gen Z (51%) is the least likely generation to prioritize powering refrigerators during a power outage.
- 48% of Americans believe data centers and AI technologies will lead to more frequent blackouts.
- 65% believe misinformation about energy is influencing public policy.
- Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) are unaware of data centers’ energy demands.
- 71% agree that renewable energy can help mitigate risks during extreme weather events.
- 61% support stricter government regulation of high-energy facilities like data centers and factories.
Homeowners’ Energy-Saving Habits
- Nearly half of homeowners (48%) are interested in renewable energy for their homes but don’t know when they’ll invest. Another 17% have no interest in doing so.
- 1 in 8 Gen Z homeowners had already invested in renewable energy for their homes, and another 29% plan to do so within the next five years.
- 1 in 10 homeowners ignore energy-saving tips, believing they don’t make a difference.
- The top three barriers for homeowners to saving energy are:
- High cost of upgrades (51%)
- Challenges with upgrading older homes (30%)
- Uncertainty about the most effective energy-saving measures (22%)
- 1 in 5 renters blame their landlords for high utility bills.
Methodology
For this campaign, we surveyed 1,007 Americans to assess their energy literacy. Of the respondents, 78% were homeowners, and 22% were renters. Eleven percent of respondents were from Texas. The generational breakdown was as follows (these don’t total 100 due to rounding):
- Gen Z: 8%
- Millennials: 52%
- Gen X: 30%
- Baby boomers: 11%
The survey was conducted in January 2025.
About Payless Power
Payless Power is a leading provider of affordable, prepaid electricity services in Texas. We empower customers with reliable and budget-friendly energy solutions, making electricity accessible for all.
Fair Use Statement
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