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The EIA found 13.8% of homes drafty most or all of the time and 41.3% some of the time.
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Home Energy Scope · Statistics
Home energy efficiency statistics for 2026
137 sourced data points on home energy improvements: what projects cost, what they return at resale, what homeowners choose, how many U.S. homes already have each feature by region, and 1 finding from Home Energy Scope's own analysis of federal household data. Every number links to where it came from.
What Home Energy Scope's analysis of federal data shows
These comparisons were calculated by Home Energy Scope from the Energy Information Administration's 2024 household survey microdata and the Census Bureau's new-housing tables. They answer questions the published reports don't break out.
Home Energy Scope analysis · 2024
Owner-occupied homes built before 199012.3%
95% interval 11.3%–13.3% · about 6.6 million homes · 7,124 survey households
Owner-occupied homes built in 1990–20245.8%
95% interval 5.0%–6.6% · about 2.1 million homes · 4,841 survey households
Difference: 6.5 percentage points (95% interval 5.4 to 7.6).
Homes built before 1990 report frequent drafts about twice as often as newer ones. Air sealing is usually the cheapest first fix in an older house, before windows or new equipment.
Source: Home Energy Scope analysis of 2024 federal household survey data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. How we calculated it
Home energy improvements: energy and utility costs
15% average heating and cooling savings from air sealing plus attic, floor and basement insulation
EPA estimates 15% on heating and cooling costs, or 11% of total energy costs, from sealing leaks and insulating attics, crawlspace floors and basements. It is the benchmark for envelope retrofits.
ENERGY STAR, Why Seal and Insulate (2025)$1,900 typical annual household energy bill, nearly half for heating and cooling
ENERGY STAR's air-source heat pump page notes a heat pump can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electricity it consumes, which is where retrofit savings come from.
ENERGY STAR, Air-Source Heat Pumps (2025)25–30% share of residential heating and cooling energy use attributed to windows (DOE)
The DOE figure, cited in Pro House Maintenance's window statistics guide, explains why glazing upgrades matter even though their payback is slower than insulation.
US DOE via Pro House Maintenance, Window Replacement Statistics (2026)74.8% of occupied U.S. primary residences use LED for at least half of indoor bulbs (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 99.1 million housing units, with regional figures from 73.3% in the South to 76.5% in the Midwest and West. Lighting is rarely the retrofit lever anymore.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)8.6% of occupied U.S. primary residences leave incandescent or halogen outdoor bulbs on all night (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 11.3 million housing units, highest in the South at 10.1%. A small, cheap fix an auditor will note on the way in.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)
Home energy improvements: market size and trends
9 in 10 U.S. homes are under-insulated, per ENERGY STAR
EPA's seal-and-insulate guidance says most existing homes fall short of recommended insulation levels, which is why attic top-ups are the most common first retrofit.
ENERGY STAR, Why Seal and Insulate (2025)89% of U.S. homes lack adequate insulation, per an ICF analysis cited by NAIMA
The Insulation Institute cites an ICF report finding 89% of homes under-insulated and notes residential electricity prices rose nearly 40% since 2004, raising the payoff of fixing it.
NAIMA Insulation Institute, Value & Savings (2024)47% of Realtors say tax credits and rebates are the top driver of green home demand (2025)
NAR's 2025 Residential Sustainability Report also found 31% cite higher resale value and 30% cite awareness of energy savings; 42% of agents worked with a property featuring green elements in the past year.
National Association of Realtors, 2025 Residential Sustainability Report436,798 U.S. homes that received a HERS Index score in 2024, up 18%; average score 55
RESNET's registry passed 4.4 million rated homes. A HERS score gives buyers and sellers a standardized efficiency number, and 2024's rated homes are projected to save $398 million a year in energy bills.
RESNET (2025)$215B/yr potential U.S. energy cost savings from efficiency and heat pumps by 2050, ~$31,000 per household
ACEEE's 2026 analysis finds about half of the 2050 savings come from buildings, led by the switch to heat pumps and high-efficiency appliances.
ACEEE via Utility Dive (2026)~90% of homes have air leakage problems, per Pearl's registry analysis
Pearl's Home Performance Registry analysis of 97 million homes reinforces EPA's under-insulation finding; air sealing is almost always on an audit's recommendation list.
Pearl Certification, Home Energy Audit Cost 2026 Statistics47.6% of occupied U.S. primary residences have an attic (2024)
The EIA's 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary microdata counts 63.1 million housing units with an attic, from 38.0% in the West to 55.3% in the South. Installed stock, not annual work.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)62.4% of occupied U.S. primary residences have mostly original windows (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 82.7 million housing units. Original does not mean failed; it ranges from 47.6% in the Northeast, where replacement waves have passed, to 71.5% in the South.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)
Home energy improvements: costs and prices
30% up to $3,200 25C credit for property placed in service through 2025 (now ended)
The IRS Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit allowed $1,200 for envelope items plus $2,000 for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters per year. IRS guidance limits it to property placed in service by December 31, 2025; 2026 projects do not qualify.
IRS, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (2025)$600 / $500 / $150 25C sub-limits for windows, doors and audits, tax years 2023–2025 (now ended)
These sub-limits sat inside the $1,200 annual envelope cap. Homeowners who installed in 2025 can still claim them on 2025 returns filed in 2026; 2026 installations do not qualify.
IRS, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (2025)30% Residential Clean Energy Credit, ended for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025
IRS guidance states the credit is not available for solar, battery or geothermal property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Solar economics in 2026 must be evaluated without the federal credit.
IRS, Residential Clean Energy Credit (2026)up to $14,000 DOE Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates per household, in launched states
The IRA-funded HEAR program, run by states, covers appliances and envelope upgrades, while the HOMES program offers up to $8,000 for whole-home retrofits that model at least 20% energy savings. Availability depends on whether your state has launched.
US Department of Energy, Home Energy Rebates Programs (2025)$8,000 heat pump / $1,600 insulation HEAR item caps: heat pump $8,000, panel $4,000, HPWH $1,750, insulation and air sealing $1,600
Trane's summary of DOE program rules lists per-item maximums and income tiers: households under 80% of area median income can get up to 100% of cost, 80–150% AMI up to 50%.
Trane, New DOE Heat Pump Rebates (2024)Feb 24, 2026 date California's single-family HEAR (HEEHRA) rebates became fully reserved statewide
The California Energy Commission says unapproved reservation requests are on a waitlist, no new income verification requests are accepted, HEEHRA Phase II is not yet available, and HOMES rebates are not yet available.
California Energy Commission, Inflation Reduction Act Residential Energy Rebate Programs (2026)30% Section 48E investment credit a solar lease or PPA company can claim on a system it owns, before bonus adders
The IRS lists 48E at 6% base, or 30% for facilities meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship rules, plus 10-point domestic content and energy community bonuses. IRS Notice 2025-42 ends 48E for solar placed in service after December 31, 2027 when construction begins after July 4, 2026. Solar.com notes leases, PPAs and prepaid third-party-owned systems use this credit.
IRS, Clean Electricity Investment Credit; IRS Notice 2025-42$2,000–$4,500 installed cost to insulate a 1,500 sq ft attic (Block Renovation, July 2026)
Block Renovation prices a 500 sq ft attic at $800–$1,500, 1,000 sq ft at $1,500–$3,000 and 2,000 sq ft at $3,000–$7,000. Removing old insulation adds $1–$2 per sq ft and air sealing $200–$1,500.
Block Renovation, How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost (2026 Guide)$465 average audit by a BPI-certified professional, vs $285 non-certified and $525 for a RESNET HERS rater (Pearl, 2026)
Pearl's January 2026 cost roundup puts the national average audit at $437 and prices audits by home size from $250 under 1,000 sq ft to $595 and up above 3,000 sq ft.
Pearl, Home Energy Audit Cost 2026 Statistics$250 national average energy audit cost, range $145–$420; blower door $150–$450
Fixr's average for a standard audit on a 1,200 square foot home includes a blower door test. Utilities often subsidize audits, so check before paying retail.
Fixr, Energy Audit Cost (2025)$437 average professional home energy audit cost, range $212–$698 (HomeAdvisor)
Basic walk-throughs run $150–$200 while full diagnostic audits with blower door ($350), duct test ($100) and thermal imaging ($200) reach $500–$900.
HomeAdvisor, Home Energy Assessment Cost (2026)$437 average home energy assessment cost, typical range $212–$698 (Angi, 2026)
Angi's cost guide, updated April 2026, prices the assessment only. It does not include insulation, windows, solar or a whole-house retrofit; ask which diagnostic tests are included.
Angi, How Much Does an Energy Audit Cost (2026)$2,100 average attic insulation cost, range $1,700–$2,500; $1–$5 per sq ft by material
HomeAdvisor lists blown-in at $1–$4 per square foot, batts $2–$4 and spray foam $2–$5, with labor $1.50–$3 per square foot on top of materials.
HomeAdvisor, Attic Insulation Cost (2026)$1,661 average blown-in insulation project, typical $987–$2,334
Fiberglass blown-in runs $0.50–$1.10 per square foot in material versus $2.00–$2.30 for dense-pack cellulose, per HomeAdvisor, with labor $40–$70 per hour.
HomeAdvisor, Blown-In Insulation Cost (2026)$2,888 average spray foam insulation project, range $1,455–$4,337; attics $1,100–$9,000
HomeAdvisor prices open-cell at $0.60–$1.60 and closed-cell at $1.30–$3.10 per board foot. Spray foam air-seals as it insulates but costs more than fiberglass batts ($300–$1,500).
HomeAdvisor, Spray Foam Insulation Cost (2026)$6,088 average heat pump installation, typical $4,237–$7,943
HomeAdvisor's ranges: air-source $4,500–$8,000, ductless mini-split $1,300–$8,000, geothermal $6,000–$20,000. Cold-climate and ducted whole-home systems sit at the top of the range.
HomeAdvisor, Heat Pump Installation Cost (2026)$7,347 average whole-home window installation, range $3,436–$11,837
HomeAdvisor's per-window range spans $200–$600 for single-hung to $1,800–$4,000 for bay or bow windows; labor is roughly 15% of the total at $100–$400 per window.
HomeAdvisor, Window Installation Cost (2026)$800/window average window replacement cost, typical $450–$1,200
Fixr notes labor is about 30% of the project cost and price depends on frame material and glazing, from single- through triple-pane.
Fixr, Window Replacement Cost (2026)$2.60/W average solar cost per watt; $31,135 for a 12 kW system before incentives
EnergySage reports an average payback of about 10 years and 25-year savings of $41,000–$155,000 depending on local rates. Panels are only about 12% of the price; labor, inverters and soft costs dominate.
EnergySage, Solar Panel Cost (2026)
Home energy improvements: timelines
Dec 31, 2025 date the federal $2,000 heat pump tax credit ended
The IRS says the 25C credit, including its $2,000 heat pump limit, can be claimed for improvements made through December 31, 2025, on Form 5695. Post-2025 projects rely on state and utility rebates instead.
IRS, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (2026)
Home energy improvements: regional differences
R-60 ENERGY STAR target for an uninsulated attic in climate zones 4 to 8 (R-49 in zones 2–3, R-30 in zone 1)
Where 3 to 4 inches already exist, ENERGY STAR lists R-49 for zones 4–8, R-38 for zones 2–3 and R-25 for zone 1. The guidance follows the 2021 IECC residential table R402.1.3.
ENERGY STAR, Recommended Home Insulation R-Values (2021)55.3% of occupied primary residences in the South have an attic (2024)
Highest of the four census regions in the EIA's 2024 survey; the Midwest is 49.5%, the Northeast 40.6% and the West 38.0%. Attic ducts and heat gain make attic work the Southern priority.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)17.2% of occupied primary residences in the Northeast are drafty most or all of the time (2024)
Highest of the four census regions in the EIA's 2024 survey; the Midwest is 15.8%, the West 13.4% and the South 11.3%. Old housing and long heating seasons make drafts both more common and more noticeable.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)20.6% of occupied primary residences in the Northeast are described as poorly insulated (2024)
Highest of the four census regions in the EIA's 2024 survey; the West is 18.5%, the Midwest 17.8% and the South 15.6%.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)71.5% of occupied primary residences in the South have mostly original windows (2024)
Highest of the four census regions in the EIA's 2024 survey; the West is 66.0%, the Midwest 54.2% and the Northeast 47.6%.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)37.4% of occupied primary residences in the South have mostly single-pane windows (2024)
Highest of the four census regions in the EIA's 2024 survey; the West is 31.9%, the Northeast 30.1% and the Midwest 28.8%. Low solar heat gain glass has a strong case on Southern west exposures.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)
Home energy improvements: resale value and return
$372/yr average household savings from DOE weatherization
The Weatherization Assistance Program treats about 32,000 homes annually with air sealing, insulation and HVAC fixes, a real-world benchmark for what an envelope retrofit returns.
US Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program (2024)$685/yr savings from acting on energy audit recommendations, per Pearl citing Angi
Pearl's 2026 audit statistics put the payback on a $437 audit at roughly seven months, and report a professional audit finds about 35 problems versus 12 for a DIY check.
Pearl Certification, Home Energy Audit Cost 2026 Statistics$310/yr savings from swapping electric resistance heat for a heat pump in Texas homes
ACEEE found the heat pump option costs $697 more up front, pays back in just over two years, and nets almost $4,000 over 15 years, a 49% annual return for existing homes. Texas-specific.
ACEEE press release (2024)$550/yr savings for a family of four from an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater
EPA figures $5,610 lifetime savings and a 2.7-year payback for a four-person household (5.5 years for two people), assuming $0.146/kWh and a 13-year life.
ENERGY STAR, Heat Pump Water Heater Benefits & Savings (2025)68.5% resale recovery for vinyl window replacement ($20,091 cost, $13,766 value)
Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value report for a 10-window vinyl project: about 69 cents of added home value for every dollar spent, before any energy savings.
Zonda 2025 Cost vs. Value Report via GetWindowCost61.2% resale recovery for wood window replacement ($24,376 cost, $14,912 value)
Wood windows cost about $4,300 more than vinyl for a 10-window project and return less at sale, per Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value data.
Zonda 2025 Cost vs. Value Report via GetWindowCost216% resale return on a steel entry door replacement ($2,435 job, $5,270 value)
Zonda's 38th annual Cost vs. Value report ranks the steel entry door second overall; eight of the top ten projects are exterior replacements. Doors are the highest-ROI envelope upgrade.
Zonda 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (PR Newswire)+18% growth in for-sale listings mentioning solar panels, 2024 vs 2023; batteries +62%
Zillow's 2025 trends report tracked keyword growth in millions of 2024 listings. Batteries were the fastest-growing feature, and EV chargers rose 34%.
Zillow 2025 Home Trends37% of Realtors rank windows, doors and siding as the most important green features (2025)
Envelope upgrades top agents' list of valued efficiency features in NAR's 2025 report, ahead of solar, which 52% of agents say they struggle to value in a sale.
National Association of Realtors, 2025 Residential Sustainability Report
Home energy improvements: behavior and choices
89% of surveyed homeowners reported lower energy bills after replacing windows (2025)
A 2025 This Old House survey of 1,000 homeowners found most saved $25–$50 per month and 95% said their homes felt more comfortable, with an average installed cost of $477 per window. Survey sample, not all households.
This Old House survey via Pro House Maintenance (2025)13.8% of occupied U.S. primary residences are drafty most or all of the time (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 18.2 million housing units. This is a household description, not a measurement, and it ranges from 11.3% in the South to 17.2% in the Northeast.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)41.3% of occupied U.S. primary residences are drafty some of the time (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 54.8 million housing units. Combined with the 13.8% drafty most or all of the time, more than half of homes report some draftiness.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)17.6% of occupied U.S. primary residences are described by the household as poorly insulated (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 23.3 million housing units. A self-description rather than a measurement; it ranges from 15.6% in the South to 20.6% in the Northeast.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)54% of surveyed Houzz homeowners renovated in 2025; 50% plan to in 2026
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study is a platform sample, not all U.S. households, and intent is not completed work. A renovation is the moment when envelope and window work costs least.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study71% Prioritized preventative maintenance (April 15-16, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 71% said they were putting preventive maintenance first.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse6.5 pts gap in frequent draftiness: pre-1990 homes 12.3% vs 1990–2024 homes 5.8% (2024)
Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of the EIA's 2024 household survey microdata: Homes built before 1990 12.3% versus Homes built in 1990–2024 5.8% (a 6.5-point gap). An observed comfort problem provides a more useful research question than assuming all older homes need the same retrofit.
Home Energy Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS household data52% Decorated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans)
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study surveyed homeowners on Houzz about their 2025 projects and 2026 plans; 52% decorated in 2025, alongside 54% who renovated and 47% who made repairs.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study47% Repaired in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans)
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study surveyed homeowners on Houzz about their 2025 projects and 2026 plans; 47% made repairs in 2025, while 54% renovated and 52% decorated.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study50% of surveyed Houzz homeowners plan to renovate in 2026
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study found 54% of surveyed homeowners renovated in 2025 and 50% plan to renovate in 2026. Stated intent, from a Houzz platform sample.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study29% Bundled repairs (April 15-16, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 29% bundled several repairs into one visit.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse19% Selected cheaper materials/services (April 15-16, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 19% chose cheaper materials or services.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse23% Started early before price rises (April 15-16, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 23% started a project early before expected price rises.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse62% Increased maintenance-affordability concern (April 15-16, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 62% reported growing concern about affording home maintenance.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
Home energy improvements: materials and products
85.6% of U.S. homes with an attic report it as unfinished (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 54.1 million housing units with an unfinished attic among those with an attic. Unfinished attics are the accessible case for air sealing and blown-in insulation.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)2.6% of occupied U.S. primary residences are described as uninsulated (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 3.4 million housing units. Rare nationally, but these are the homes where envelope work returns the most.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)33.1% of occupied U.S. primary residences have mostly single-pane windows (2024)
The EIA's 2024 survey counts 43.8 million housing units. Single-pane glass in a heating climate is the strongest energy case for window replacement.
EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)
Home energy improvements: maintenance and lifespan
36.7% Homes using LED for all indoor bulbs (2024)
36.7% of occupied primary-residence housing units in 2024 (about 48.7M housing units); by region: Northeast 36.1%, Midwest 36.9%, South 36.3%, West 37.8%. Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026).
Home Energy Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)10.3% Homes using no indoor LED bulbs (2024)
10.3% of occupied primary-residence housing units in 2024 (about 13.6M housing units); by region: Northeast 10.6%, Midwest 9.4%, South 11.1%, West 9.6%. Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026).
Home Energy Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)
State by state: homes drafty most or all of the time; homes described as poorly insulated or uninsulated; homes with mostly single-pane windows; homes with mostly original windows
Homes drafty most or all of the time: 13.8% nationally. Highest in Massachusetts (20.8%), Kansas (19.8%), Oklahoma (19.2%); lowest in Florida (5.5%), Hawaii (6.6%), North Dakota (7.8%).
Homes described as poorly insulated or uninsulated: 20.2% nationally. Highest in Hawaii (47.3%), Oklahoma (26.3%), Massachusetts (26.1%); lowest in South Dakota (8.5%), Utah (11.8%), Alaska (12.4%).
Homes with mostly single-pane windows: 33.1% nationally. Highest in Hawaii (63%), Florida (45.7%), Mississippi (43.9%); lowest in Alaska (15.9%), Washington (19.3%), Vermont (20%).
Homes with mostly original windows: 62.4% nationally. Highest in Mississippi (81.6%), Arizona (79.1%), Hawaii (78.3%); lowest in Massachusetts (44.7%), New York (46.1%), Ohio (47.4%).
Home Energy Scope calculated these state estimates from the Energy Information Administration's 2024 household survey microdata. EIA publishes the 2024 survey nationally and by region, not by state. Shares are weighted; a dash means the state sample was too small for a reliable estimate (fewer than 100 households, fewer than 10 yes answers, or a relative standard error above 30%). Source data.
| State | Homes drafty most or all of the time | Homes described as poorly insulated or uninsulated | Homes with mostly single-pane windows | Homes with mostly original windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 13.8% | 20.2% | 33.1% | 62.4% |
| Alabama | 10.5% | 21.7% | 42.6% | 76.9% |
| Alaska | 10.3% | 12.4% | 15.9% | 73.7% |
| Arizona | 11.6% | 20.6% | 34.1% | 79.1% |
| Arkansas | 14.3% | 23% | 35.6% | 71.5% |
| California | 15.7% | 25.8% | 38.4% | 62.7% |
| Colorado | 10.1% | 13.8% | 21.5% | 67.7% |
| Connecticut | 16.7% | 22.1% | 28.6% | 48.5% |
| Delaware | — | 14.3% | 22% | 62% |
| District of Columbia | 15.3% | 25.4% | 35.3% | 57.4% |
| Florida | 5.5% | 15.4% | 45.7% | 72.7% |
| Georgia | 12.8% | 19.7% | 35% | 77.5% |
| Hawaii | 6.6% | 47.3% | 63% | 78.3% |
| Idaho | 10.7% | 16.2% | 24.1% | 71.8% |
| Illinois | 15.5% | 21.7% | 29.1% | 54% |
| Indiana | 15.6% | 23.1% | 28.3% | 55.3% |
| Iowa | 16.3% | 17.1% | 24.3% | 58.7% |
| Kansas | 19.8% | 19% | 38% | 59.9% |
| Kentucky | 11.8% | 18.9% | 29.5% | 60.6% |
| Louisiana | 9.5% | 18.3% | 41% | 71.5% |
| Maine | 12.1% | 13% | 20.2% | 51.5% |
| Maryland | 12.4% | 15.8% | 23.6% | 56.3% |
| Massachusetts | 20.8% | 26.1% | 27.1% | 44.7% |
| Michigan | 16.9% | 21.5% | 31% | 54% |
| Minnesota | 11.4% | 14% | 25.3% | 56.9% |
| Mississippi | 16% | 18.9% | 43.9% | 81.6% |
| Missouri | 17.3% | 19.5% | 32.9% | 58.1% |
| Montana | 11.5% | 20% | 24.2% | 62.4% |
| Nebraska | 13.8% | 16.2% | 31% | 54.8% |
| Nevada | 12% | 17.9% | 28.9% | 74.3% |
| New Hampshire | 16.5% | 22.7% | 24.9% | 47.8% |
| New Jersey | 18.3% | 23.3% | 34% | 51.8% |
| New Mexico | 10.4% | 20% | 32.1% | 69.9% |
| New York | 17.6% | 23.1% | 32.7% | 46.1% |
| North Carolina | 15.3% | 17.4% | 35% | 71.9% |
| North Dakota | 7.8% | 13.5% | 21% | 69.2% |
| Ohio | 16.7% | 19.9% | 28% | 47.4% |
| Oklahoma | 19.2% | 26.3% | 38.4% | 64.9% |
| Oregon | 13% | 19.6% | 23.4% | 60.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 15.7% | 25.2% | 28% | 47.9% |
| Rhode Island | 15.2% | 23.8% | 29.1% | 47.9% |
| South Carolina | 10.4% | 18% | 30.8% | 73.4% |
| South Dakota | — | 8.5% | 21.2% | 66.7% |
| Tennessee | 12.1% | 14.9% | 34.7% | 67% |
| Texas | 11% | 17.4% | 41.1% | 77.2% |
| Utah | 10.1% | 11.8% | 21.6% | 66.6% |
| Vermont | 8.5% | 15.3% | 20% | 49% |
| Virginia | 12.7% | 16% | 27% | 62.6% |
| Washington | 12.9% | 19.6% | 19.3% | 62.3% |
| West Virginia | 16.9% | 22.4% | 28.1% | 56.1% |
| Wisconsin | 17% | 23% | 25.1% | 51.1% |
| Wyoming | 11.4% | 20.9% | 23.8% | 60.9% |
U.S. housing data by region
How many existing homes already have the features that shape a home energy improvements project, nationally and in each census region. Home Energy Scope weighted these from the federal survey records; counts are rounded.
Homes that already have it (EIA)
| Measure | U.S. | Northeast | Midwest | South | West | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes with an attic2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 47.6% | 40.5% | 49.5% | 55.3% | 38.0% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Attic homes reporting an unfinished attic2024 · homes with an attic | 85.6% | 82.8% | 88.3% | 84.1% | 88.7% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
Condition and equipment in existing homes (EIA)
| Measure | U.S. | Northeast | Midwest | South | West | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes described as poorly insulated2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 17.6% | 20.6% | 17.7% | 15.6% | 18.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes described as uninsulated2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 2.6% | 2.9% | — | 2.1% | 3.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes drafty most or all of the time2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 13.8% | 17.2% | 15.8% | 11.3% | 13.4% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes drafty some of the time2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 41.3% | 47.2% | 45.4% | 37.8% | 39.0% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes with mostly single-pane windows2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 33.1% | 30.1% | 28.8% | 37.4% | 31.9% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes with mostly original windows2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 62.4% | 47.6% | 54.2% | 71.5% | 66.0% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes using LED for all indoor bulbs2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 36.7% | 36.1% | 36.9% | 36.3% | 37.8% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes using no indoor LED bulbs2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 10.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% | 11.1% | 9.6% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes using LED for at least half of indoor bulbs2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 74.8% | 73.7% | 76.5% | 73.3% | 76.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes leaving incandescent or halogen outdoor bulbs on all night2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 8.6% | 7.2% | 7.4% | 10.1% | 8.0% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
Remodeling behavior (surveys)
- 54% Renovated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 52% Decorated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 47% Repaired in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 50% Plan renovation in 2026 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 71% Postponed a project (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 71% Prioritized preventative maintenance (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 29% Bundled repairs (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 19% Selected cheaper materials/services (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 23% Started early before price rises (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 62% Increased maintenance-affordability concern (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
How Home Energy Scope compiles these figures
Published figures come from ENERGY STAR, NAIMA Insulation Institute, IRS, US Department of Energy, Trane, California Energy Commission, Block Renovation, Pearl and other named sources, each linked where it appears. Housing data by region is Home Energy Scope's weighted tabulation of the EIA's 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey public microdata, using the survey's own weights and 60 replicate weights for the intervals, and of the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing tables. Figures describe the period and population shown next to each one.
Homeowner polls
Add your own answer
Which would you do first?
EPA estimates sealing and insulating saves about 15% of heating and cooling costs.
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Have you checked state or utility rebates for your address?
The federal 25C and 25D credits ended for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025.
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Home energy improvements statistics: quick answers
What share of U.S. homes have an attic?
47.6% nationally in 2024 (about 63.1M housing units), based on Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the South at 55.3% and lowest in the West at 38.0%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
Among attic homes, what share report an unfinished attic?
85.6% nationally in 2024 (about 54.0M housing units), based on Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the West at 88.7% and lowest in the Northeast at 82.8%. The figure covers homes with an attic.
What share of U.S. homes are described as poorly insulated?
17.6% nationally in 2024 (about 23.3M housing units), based on Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Northeast at 20.6% and lowest in the South at 15.6%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
What share of U.S. homes are described as uninsulated?
2.6% nationally in 2024 (about 3.4M housing units), based on Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the West at 3.5% and lowest in the South at 2.1%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
How common is this in U.S. homes: homes drafty most or all of the time?
13.8% nationally in 2024 (about 18.2M housing units), based on Home Energy Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Northeast at 17.2% and lowest in the South at 11.3%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
How does frequent draftiness differ by age of owner-occupied homes?
Homes built before 1990 report frequent drafts about twice as often as newer ones. Air sealing is usually the cheapest first fix in an older house, before windows or new equipment. Home Energy Scope calculated this from the federal government's 2024 household survey data: owner-occupied homes built before 1990 12.3% versus owner-occupied homes built in 1990–2024 5.8%.
What does ENERGY STAR say about average heating and cooling savings from air sealing plus attic, floor and basement insulation?
15%. EPA estimates 15% on heating and cooling costs, or 11% of total energy costs, from sealing leaks and insulating attics, crawlspace floors and basements. It is the benchmark for envelope retrofits. Source: ENERGY STAR, Why Seal and Insulate (2025).
What does IRS say about 25C credit for property placed in service through 2025?
30% up to $3,200. The IRS Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit allowed $1,200 for envelope items plus $2,000 for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters per year. IRS guidance limits it to property placed in service by December 31, 2025; 2026 projects do not qualify. Source: IRS, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (2025).
Put the numbers to work
Free toolEnergy audit cost calculator: size the assessment before the retrofitSize, material tier and complexity in, a realistic budget range out.
Free toolEnergy retrofit comparisons: the five decisions inside a retrofitSide-by-side tables for the decisions that change the price most.
Free toolEnergy retrofit readiness quiz: do you know the sequence and the tests?10 questions that show what you already know and what to check next.
Free toolEnergy retrofit polls: how other homeowners weighed the same decisionsSee what other planners chose and add your vote.
Service guides
Service guideHome Energy AuditsA home energy audit connects comfort complaints and utility bills to the measured condition of the house through a blower door test, thermal imaging, duct leakage testing and combustion-safety checks, then delivers written, prioritized recommendations.
Service guideInsulation & Air SealingAir sealing closes the gaps that move air through the attic plane, rim joist and penetrations; insulation slows heat conduction through the assemblies around them.
Service guideWindow & Door ReplacementWindow and door replacement addresses openings with a defined problem: damage, failed seals, poor operation, drafts, single-pane glass in a cold climate, or a door that leaks and does not latch.
Service guideSolar Panel InstallationSolar panel installation covers the roof and shading assessment, equipment selection, electrical and structural permits, utility interconnection and the production and financial assumptions in the proposal.
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Tell us the size, the condition of what is there now, and what you want to change. Home Energy Scope passes your request to independent local professionals, who reply with written, no-obligation estimates. The service is free to use.