Household energy insecurity refers to a household's inability to meet its energy needs. Household energy insecurity is a broad framework that includes a household's inability to afford energy costs as one of several factors in a household's ability to meet energy needs. Household energy insecurity is influenced by both internal and external factors such as energy cost, household income, housing conditions, and personal behavior. The relevance of these factors may vary by geographic region, such as country or community, and the level of development of energy infrastructure. Household energy insecurity is sometimes referred to as fuel poverty or as a form of energy poverty.

When used in the context of developing countries, the term energy poverty is often used synonymously with household energy insecurity, i.e. the ability to afford energy within the home. In the context of developed countries, energy poverty more often refers to a lack of any access to modern energy infrastructure.

The cost of energy relative to household income impacts affordability of energy. Households are generally defined as energy burdened if energy costs exceed 10% of gross household income. In areas with more infrastructure and resources, households may face barriers to meeting energy needs due to the cost of purchasing, repairing, or maintaining equipment such as air conditioners or heating units as well as costs from running the equipment.

In areas with fewer infrastructure and resources, relative energy cost may impact type of fuel used, such as cheaper less efficient and more polluting fuels being used over more efficient and less polluting but costly fuels.

Housing conditions such as household energy efficiency and the use of old or inefficient heating systems may impact energy insecurity Energy insecure households are more likely to report poor insulation or drafts in their home such as from windows or doors, which may be more common in older or poorly maintained housing. Poorly insulated homes may have higher energy costs. Household energy efficiency improvements have also been associated with small but significant improvements in health.

When faced with high energy costs, the concerns may influence energy-related behaviors at the household and individual levels. For example, Households are forced to make a decision on what basic needs to sacrifice. A common decision low income households have to make is linked to food insecurity, known as the "heat or eat" dilemma, where a household sacrifices food in order to address the household energy concerns. Also, households might try to reduce energy bills by reducing usage of energy systems by keeping their homes at temperatures that might either be too hot or cold.

Energy is considered a basic necessity as it allows for access to heating, lighting and cooking. Without this basic necessity it can lead to major health implications as studies have shown links with respiratory issues, mental health, and stress. There is an increased chance of environmental exposures to dampness, mold, and thermal discomfort. Women, children, and infants are most vulnerable to health effects caused by energy insecurity.

One alternative to heating and cooking as a result of energy insecurity, common in developing countries, is burning solid fuels. Death can be caused by smoky environments from inefficient stoves or from combustion of kerosene or coal for cooking. Around 600,000 lives are lost each year in Africa due to exposure of biomass smoke.