HarrisX poll reveals widespread worry about rising electricity costs and heat waves, with upfront cost and lack of information among the top barriers to action.
CHARLOTTE, NC (July 20, 2026) — As summer heat intensifies across the country, a new national survey commissioned by Palmetto, America's leading consumer energy platform, finds that most American homeowners are worried about what it's going to cost to keep their homes cool — and that most haven't yet taken steps that could lower those costs over time.
The survey, conducted by HarrisX, found that nearly eight in 10 U.S. adults (79%) are concerned about their home energy bills this summer. Three in four (75%) are worried specifically about the impact heat waves could have on energy bills. The findings come as utilities across the country have sought electricity rate increases and hotter summers have driven higher demand for air conditioning, putting household budgets under increasing pressure.
"Energy costs are one of the most immediate financial pressures homeowners are dealing with right now," said Chris Kemper, Founder and CEO of Palmetto. "This survey confirms what we hear from homeowners every day: the concern is real, the desire to act is there, and what's missing is a clear, affordable path forward."
Homeowners see the value in upgrading — but most haven't done it
The survey found that homeowners broadly understand the potential benefits of energy-efficient equipment. More than four in five homeowners (83%) believe installing a more energy-efficient HVAC system would be effective at making their homes more efficient.
Yet only 30% say they have actually upgraded or replaced their HVAC system with a more energy-efficient model.
That gap between awareness and action points to real obstacles standing between homeowners and improvements that could deliver lasting savings.
Cost is the biggest barrier
For homeowners who haven't upgraded their HVAC systems, the primary reason is financial. Among this group, 42% say upfront cost is what has prevented them from moving forward.
Replacing a heating and cooling system is one of the largest investments a homeowner can make. While newer systems may reduce monthly energy costs over time, the initial expense is difficult for many households to absorb — particularly as budgets remain stretched across many categories.
Information gaps are also holding people back
Cost is not the only challenge. Among homeowners who have not upgraded their HVAC systems:
- -12% say they don't know enough about the benefits of energy-efficient systems;
- -12% say they're unsure where to begin;
- -10% say navigating the installation or upgrade process feels too complicated.
Taken together, the data suggest that reducing complexity may be just as important as reducing cost in helping more households make meaningful energy improvements. Many homeowners may not be aware of available rebates, tax incentives, and financing options that can lower or spread out the cost of an upgrade.
Small steps can make a real difference
While replacing an HVAC system is a significant investment, smaller improvements can also reduce energy use and lower cooling costs. Sealing air leaks, improving insulation, installing a programmable or smart thermostat, replacing air filters regularly, and scheduling routine HVAC maintenance can all improve system performance. For homeowners ready to replace aging equipment, high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps can provide additional savings while improving year-round comfort.
The right approach varies depending on a home's age, location, and existing equipment — but reducing wasted energy is a practical place to start.
About Palmetto
Palmetto is a consumer energy platform dedicated to making the clean energy transition simple, accessible, and affordable for American families. Through its digital-first marketplace, Palmetto connects homeowners with vetted clean-energy partners and flexible financing solutions for solar, storage, HVAC, backup power, and energy-efficient appliances. The company's mission is to enable millions of households to reduce utility costs, increase energy resilience, and achieve energy independence. For more information, visit palmetto.com.
Methodology
The HarrisX survey on behalf of Palmetto was conducted online among 1,070 adults, in the United States between June 5th, 2026, and June 8th, 2026.
Respondents were recruited through opt-in, web-panel sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods.
The sampling margin of error of this survey is +/- 3.0 percentage points. Margins of error for subgroups are larger and vary depending on sample size. Results were weighted by gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and income where necessary to align with the demographic composition of the U.S. adult population
Media contact
Press@palmetto.com