Ever taken an energy survey to test your knowledge as well as assess your attitudes toward energy specific topics? Would you pass if you did? The following is an overview and results of the first ever national energy literacy survey.
Statistically significant results
The national energy literacy survey
Survey says
It's Time to Think, Talk, and Take Action!
In 2017, the National Energy Foundation (NEF) partnered with Cicero Social Impact, a prominent market research firm, to survey a demographically diverse sample of 2,005 high school students across the nation. The survey measured students’ attitudes, knowledge, and behavior regarding energy. In 2022, NEF commissioned a second survey with a sample of 1,564 high school seniors nationwide and in 2025, a third study of 1,515 students was conducted to track the ongoing evolution of energy literacy and engagement.
The latest round of results show that energy literacy is bouncing back, but the job isn’t finished. We’re still chasing the benchmark scores of 2017 and some students are being left behind. It’s time to move past recovery mode and start reinforcing support for underserved communities, turning student confidence into real-world competence. By integrating core energy concepts into the modern tech landscape and maintaining a commitment to longitudinal learning, we can cultivate a new era of resilient, informed energy leadership.
These results are a wake-up call to utilities, state energy offices, and other energy industry partners that it’s time to think, talk and take action!
5,000 +
Total students surveyed
Attitudes
Modest Rebound in Energy Attitudes
The National Survey asked questions to identify common attitudes and perceptions toward energy among high school seniors. Results indicated that, in the past three years, high school seniors “energy attitudes” increased nearly 3% on average. While students increasingly recognize the importance of the energy transition, their personal “sense of agency”- the belief that their individual actions make a meaningful difference – has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels. This gap reveals a growing group of concerned but cautious young adults who possess high awareness but require more targeted support to turn that interest into confident, personal action.
*Compared to 2022 Survey of 1,564 High School Seniors. 24 total attitudinal questions were asked.
Completely Disagree
Disagree
Neither Agree nor Disagree
Somewhat Agree
Completely Agree
My efforts to conserve energy will have a positive impact on the environment.
Percent of students selecting each response
2017
2022
2025
Increase in agreement: +5%
I have a moral obligation to reduce my energy usage.
2017
2022
2025
Increase in agreement: +5%
We need to develop more ways of producing renewable energy, even if that means energy will cost more.
2017
2022
2025
Increase in agreement: +3%
Knowledge
Testing Energy Concepts and Comprehension
Participant knowledge was determined by asking students a variety of questions that measured their understanding of different energy concepts. Overall, student knowledge increased by 3.7% since the 2022 study. However, comprehensive energy literacy has not yet returned to the 2017 benchmark of 48.8%. Critically, even though students may not initially turn to teachers for information, trust in high school instructors has rebounded to surpass trust in social media.
Social Media Professional Profiles
Social Media non-professional profiles
High School Instructors
Basic Energy Concepts
- General definition of energy
- Laws of energy
- Energy transformation
Energy tradeoffs
- Quality of life
- Energy resource limitations
- Energy development impact/constraints
Energy Use
- Consumer energy usage
- General energy consumption trends
- Health and safety factors
Efficiency & Conservation
- Impact of technology on energy
- Impact of behavior
Sources & types of energy
- Energy sources
- Renewable versus nonrenewable
- Types and forms of energy
Behavior
Plugging Back In
Students answered various questions about their everyday actions and behaviors concerning energy. While the 2022 data reflected a temporary “power outage” in student confidence, the 2025 results show that the generation is officially plugging back in. We are seeing a rebound in both student behaviors and their belief in personal impact, proving that the spark for a sustainable future is brighter than ever.
*Compared to 2022 Survey of 1,564 High School Seniors
9% Increase*
Unplug electronic devices that are not being used
10% Increase*
Actively search for products that are more energy efficient
rebound to 2017 benchmark levels
Encourage friends or family to be more energy efficient
9% Increase*
Consciously choose to travel without a car (e.g., walk, bike, public transport, etc.)
Primary audience
Why High School Seniors?
High school seniors were the target demographic for this study because of their recent K-12 educational experience. In addition, these young adults are moving into a new era of life where they are now election voters, energy consumers, and workforce entrants.
What can we do?
Let's Prepare Students for the Energy Transition, Together!
The post-COVID recovery in energy literacy is translating into promising new behaviors in the 2025 data. We are seeing a new level of engagement. Specifically, 44% of students are consistently unplugging unused electronics, and one-third of students (33%) are actively researching energy-efficient products – up from just 23% in 2022.
While these trends indicate that high schoolers are moving past basic conservation and increasingly applying their knowledge to real-world decisions, there is still a vital step to take before these habits become a universal standard. This is a golden opportunity for instructors, energy companies, and non-profits to move this generation from emerging participants to the fully empowered, career-ready energy leaders of tomorrow.
