Many Families Cut Grocery Spending to Pay Higher Power Bills

About one in five American households have cut back on groceries because of energy bills, according to a new Consumer Reports survey. Many of those surveyed also blame AI data centers, the huge buildings full of computers that use a lot of electricity, for part of the increase.

What the survey found

The survey looked at people who have lived in the same home for more than three years. Most of them now pay more for energy than they did three years ago. Three out of four families said rate increases have strained their household finances.

• More than a quarter said their bills rose 20% to 49%.
• 6% said rates rose by more than 50% over three years.
• One in four families set the thermostat at uncomfortable levels in summer and winter.
• About 20% are buying less food or switching to cheaper options.

Who people blame

Ratepayers pointed to two main causes: utility company profits and AI infrastructure. Over 75% of those surveyed said they do not trust their state lawmakers to protect them from rate increases.

More than 80% said utilities should create a separate rate category for data center-sized users. Half said it is unacceptable for utilities to pass costs on to home customers through higher rates. Supporters of data centers say they create jobs. Critics say those benefits are temporary and small for the local community.

What you can do now

Rate changes are up to lawmakers. You can still control how much power you use. Free habits add up, and you only need to pick a couple of the easy ones.

• Turn electronics fully off instead of leaving them in sleep mode.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Insulate your home and your water pipes before winter.
• Look for Energy Star labels when buying appliances, smart plugs or thermostats.

Energy Star labels show a product meets certain efficiency standards. The program is still running, though the Trump administration has threatened to end it. The official website lets you search for approved products by category.

A free tool to read your bill

Consumer Reports also launched a free bill decoder. You upload your utility bills, and it breaks down confusing pricing and points to money-saving programs near you. It also helps the group track trends and gather evidence to push for lower rates.

Before sharing a bill with any nonprofit or AI chatbot, find out what data you are giving up, how it will be used and how it will be kept secure. You can cross out or redact details like your name and address.