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Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)

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Table HC3.4 Appliances in U.S. homes by number of household members, 20151

Release date: February 2017
Revised date: May 2018

Number of housing units (million)
Number of household members
  Total U.S.2 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members 5 or more members
All homes 118.2 28.7 42.7 19.4 15.5 11.8
Stoves (units with both an oven and a cooktop)            
Have a stove 108.0 26.4 38.7 17.9 14.0 10.9
1 105.8 26.2 37.9 17.6 13.7 10.4
2 or more 2.2 0.2 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.5
Do not have a stove 10.2 2.4 4.0 1.5 1.5 0.9
Most-used stove fuel            
Electricity 66.4 17.0 24.3 10.6 8.2 6.3
Natural gas 35.2 8.0 11.6 6.3 5.2 4.1
Propane 5.5 1.3 2.3 0.8 0.6 0.5
Dual fuel 0.9 Q 0.4 Q Q Q
Do not have a stove 10.2 2.4 4.0 1.5 1.5 0.9
Most-used stove usage: cooktop part            
0 times per week 3.4 2.3 0.7 Q Q Q
1 to 3  times per week 16.9 7.0 6.4 1.8 1.2 0.5
4 to 7 times per week 50.5 11.3 19.0 9.3 6.3 4.6
8 to 14 times per week 23.9 3.8 8.6 4.5 4.0 3.1
15 or more times per week 13.3 2.0 4.1 2.2 2.3 2.7
Do not have a stove 10.2 2.4 4.0 1.5 1.5 0.9
Most-used stove usage: oven part            
0 times per week 18.4 7.7 5.4 1.9 2.0 1.4
1 to 3  times per week 56.7 14.5 22.1 9.1 5.9 5.1
4 to 7 times per week 28.1 3.8 9.6 6.1 5.2 3.4
8 to 14 times per week 3.6 0.4 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.6
15 or more times per week 1.1 N 0.2 Q 0.3 0.5
Do not have a stove 10.2 2.4 4.0 1.5 1.5 0.9
Separate cooktops            
Have a separate cooktop 17.1 3.7 7.0 2.4 2.3 1.7
1 16.7 3.6 6.8 2.4 2.3 1.7
2 or more 0.3 Q Q Q Q Q
Do not have a separate cooktop 101.1 25.1 35.7 17.0 13.2 10.1
Most-used separate cooktop fuel            
Electricity 9.6 2.5 3.7 1.4 1.0 1.0
Natural gas 6.4 1.1 2.7 0.9 1.1 0.6
Propane 1.1 Q 0.5 0.2 Q Q
Do not have a separate cooktop 101.1 25.1 35.7 17.0 13.2 10.1
Most-used separate cooktop usage            
0 times per week 2.1 0.6 0.9 0.3 Q Q
1 to 3  times per week 3.0 1.1 1.2 0.2 0.3 0.2
4 to 7 times per week 6.7 1.3 3.0 1.1 0.8 0.6
8 to 14 times per week 3.4 0.5 1.3 0.5 0.6 0.5
15 or more times per week 1.9 Q 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.3
Do not have a separate cooktop 101.1 25.1 35.7 17.0 13.2 10.1
Separate wall ovens            
Have a separate wall oven 13.9 2.4 5.7 2.1 2.1 1.5
1 9.9 2.1 4.0 1.5 1.4 0.9
2 or more 4.0 0.3 1.6 0.6 0.8 0.6
Do not have a separate wall oven 104.4 26.3 37.0 17.4 13.4 10.3
Most-used separate wall oven fuel            
Electricity 11.9 2.0 4.8 1.9 1.8 1.3
Natural gas 1.8 0.4 0.8 Q 0.3 0.2
Propane Q Q Q Q Q Q
Do not have a separate wall oven 104.4 26.3 37.0 17.4 13.4 10.3
Most-used separate wall oven usage            
0 times per week 2.0 0.5 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.2
1 to 3  times per week 6.1 1.2 2.7 1.0 0.8 0.4
4 to 7 times per week 4.6 0.5 1.9 0.7 0.9 0.7
8 to 14 times per week 0.8 Q Q Q 0.2 0.2
15 or more times per week 0.3 Q Q Q Q Q
Do not have a separate wall oven 104.4 26.3 37.0 17.4 13.4 10.3
Frequency of hot meals cooked            
No hot meals cooked 0.9 0.7 Q Q Q Q
Less than once a week 2.4 1.1 0.8 Q Q Q
About once a week 2.6 1.0 1.2 Q Q Q
A few times each week 19.9 7.2 7.5 2.8 1.6 0.7
Once a day 36.1 8.8 14.2 6.0 4.1 3.0
2 times a day 38.1 7.1 13.5 6.5 6.5 4.6
3 or more times a day 18.2 2.8 5.4 3.7 2.9 3.4
Microwave ovens            
Have a microwave oven 113.6 26.8 41.5 18.6 15.2 11.4
1 108.9 26.3 39.9 17.8 14.5 10.4
2 or more 4.7 0.6 1.7 0.8 0.7 1.0
Do not have a microwave oven 4.6 1.9 1.2 0.8 0.3 0.4
Microwave oven usage            
0 times per week 1.6 0.9 0.4 Q Q Q
1 to 3  times per week 10.6 3.4 3.8 1.5 1.2 0.6
4 to 7 times per week 39.0 11.1 15.0 5.8 4.3 2.8
8 to 14 times per week 27.9 6.0 10.5 5.1 3.7 2.6
15 or more times per week 34.5 5.5 11.8 6.1 5.9 5.1
Do not have a microwave oven 4.6 1.9 1.2 0.8 0.3 0.4
Outdoor grills and fuel            
Use an outdoor grill 69.3 9.5 26.7 12.7 11.6 8.7
Natural gas 4.1 0.4 1.6 0.8 1.0 0.4
Propane 42.2 5.5 17.1 7.6 7.1 4.9
Charcoal 22.3 3.5 7.7 4.3 3.4 3.4
Some other fuel 0.7 Q 0.4 Q Q Q
Do not use an outdoor grill 48.9 19.2 16.0 6.7 3.9 3.1
Small kitchen appliances used at least once each week (more than one may apply)            
Toaster 74.0 14.7 27.6 12.7 10.5 8.4
Toaster oven 28.7 6.7 10.6 4.9 3.9 2.6
Coffee maker 75.9 16.4 29.6 12.4 9.9 7.6
Slow cooker 33.3 5.1 11.7 6.4 5.5 4.7
Food processor 12.1 1.8 4.3 2.2 2.2 1.6
Rice cooker 14.3 1.7 4.7 2.8 3.0 2.1
Blender or juicer 30.8 4.9 9.8 5.7 5.5 4.7
Some other small kitchen appliance3 12.3 2.4 3.8 2.2 1.9 1.9
Refrigerators            
Use a refrigerator 117.4 28.2 42.5 19.4 15.4 11.8
1 82.3 24.5 28.5 13.2 9.2 6.9
2 or more 35.1 3.7 14.1 6.2 6.2 4.9
Do not use a refrigerator 0.9 0.5 Q Q Q N
Most-used refrigerator size            
Half-size or compact 0.9 0.4 Q Q Q Q
Small (less than 17.6 cubic feet) 6.8 2.9 2.3 0.7 0.4 0.5
Medium (17.6 to 22.5 cubic feet) 59.1 16.0 22.2 9.4 6.2 5.1
Large (22.6 to 29.5 cubic feet) 48.7 8.7 17.2 8.8 8.2 5.8
Very large (more than 29.5 cubic feet) 1.9 Q 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.3
Do not use a refrigerator 0.9 0.5 Q Q Q N
Most-used refrigerator type            
Half-size/compact 0.9 0.4 Q Q Q Q
One door 9.8 3.0 3.6 1.2 1.1 0.8
Two doors, top freezer 51.4 15.5 17.9 8.3 5.4 4.4
Two doors, bottom freezer 15.5 2.7 6.0 2.5 2.5 1.7
Two doors, side by side 36.8 6.1 13.8 6.8 5.9 4.4
Three or more doors 2.9 0.5 1.1 0.4 0.5 0.4
Do not use a refrigerator 0.9 0.5 Q Q Q N
Most-used refrigerator age            
Less than 2 years old 15.9 3.2 5.4 2.8 2.3 2.2
2 to 4 years old 26.2 5.7 9.3 4.5 4.0 2.7
5 to 9 years old 41.1 9.7 15.5 6.5 5.3 4.2
10 to 14 years old 21.9 5.7 7.8 3.9 2.7 1.9
15 to 19 years old 7.5 2.3 2.8 1.0 0.7 0.6
20 or more years old 4.7 1.6 1.7 0.8 0.4 Q
Do not use a refrigerator 0.9 0.5 Q Q Q N
Most-used refrigerator through-the-door ice service            
Yes 41.4 6.1 15.9 7.5 7.0 4.9
No 76.0 22.1 26.7 11.9 8.4 6.9
Do not use a refrigerator 0.9 0.5 Q Q Q N
Second refrigerator            
Use a second refrigerator 35.1 3.7 14.1 6.2 6.2 4.9
Do not use a second refrigerator 83.2 25.1 28.6 13.2 9.3 6.9
Second refrigerator size            
Half-size or compact 8.1 1.0 3.0 1.5 1.4 1.2
Small (less than 17.6 cubic feet) 5.5 0.8 2.6 0.8 0.7 0.6
Medium (17.6 to 22.5 cubic feet) 14.5 1.4 5.9 2.9 2.5 1.8
Large (22.6 to 29.5 cubic feet) 6.8 0.5 2.5 0.9 1.7 1.2
Very large (more than 29.5 cubic feet) 0.2 Q Q Q Q Q
Do not use a second refrigerator 83.2 25.1 28.6 13.2 9.3 6.9
Second refrigerator type            
Half-size or compact 8.1 1.0 3.0 1.5 1.4 1.2
One door 5.9 0.7 2.6 0.9 0.9 0.9
Two doors, top freezer 14.1 1.4 5.9 2.6 2.6 1.6
Two doors, bottom freezer 1.1 Q 0.4 0.2 Q 0.3
Two doors, side by side 5.7 0.5 2.1 1.0 1.2 0.9
Three or more doors Q Q Q N Q N
Do not use a second refrigerator 83.2 25.1 28.6 13.2 9.3 6.9
Second refrigerator age            
Less than 2 years old 2.7 Q 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.7
2 to 4 years old 5.0 0.4 1.7 1.1 1.0 0.8
5 to 9 years old 9.8 1.1 3.5 1.8 2.0 1.4
10 to 14 years old 9.2 0.8 3.8 1.6 1.7 1.4
15 to 19 years old 4.7 0.5 2.4 0.8 0.6 0.3
20 or more years old 3.6 0.6 1.7 0.5 0.4 0.3
Do not use a second refrigerator 83.2 25.1 28.6 13.2 9.3 6.9
Second refrigerator location            
Basement 6.8 0.7 2.9 1.4 1.2 0.7
Garage 16.0 1.8 6.4 2.7 2.8 2.2
Outside 1.8 0.2 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.2
Main floor of house 8.8 0.9 3.4 1.5 1.7 1.4
Some other location 1.7 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.4
Do not use a second refrigerator 83.2 25.1 28.6 13.2 9.3 6.9
Separate freezers            
Use a separate freezer 38.1 5.5 15.8 6.7 5.0 5.1
1 34.2 4.9 14.2 6.1 4.5 4.5
2 or more 3.9 0.5 1.6 0.6 0.5 0.6
Do not use a separate freezer 80.1 23.3 26.9 12.7 10.5 6.7
Most-used separate freezer size            
Half-size or compact 3.3 0.5 1.5 0.6 0.3 0.4
Small (less than 17.6 cubic feet) 11.8 1.8 4.7 2.3 1.4 1.6
Medium (17.6 to 22.5 cubic feet) 15.2 2.2 6.5 2.5 2.4 1.7
Large (22.6 to 29.5 cubic feet) 7.2 0.9 2.9 1.3 0.8 1.3
Very large (more than 29.5 cubic feet) 0.5 Q Q Q Q Q
Do not use a separate freezer 80.1 23.3 26.9 12.7 10.5 6.7
Most-used separate freezer type            
Upright 17.8 2.8 8.1 2.6 2.2 2.2
Chest 20.3 2.7 7.6 4.2 2.8 2.9
Do not use a separate freezer 80.1 23.3 26.9 12.7 10.5 6.7
Most-used separate freezer age            
Less than 2 years old 3.9 0.5 1.4 0.8 0.5 0.7
2 to 4 years old 6.0 0.8 2.2 1.0 0.9 1.1
5 to 9 years old 11.1 1.3 4.3 2.1 1.7 1.8
10 to 14 years old 8.0 1.1 3.6 1.7 0.7 0.9
15 to 19 years old 4.2 0.8 1.8 0.7 0.6 0.3
20 or more years old 4.9 1.0 2.4 0.6 0.5 0.3
Do not use a separate freezer 80.1 23.3 26.9 12.7 10.5 6.7
Dishwashers and usage            
Have a dishwasher 79.7 16.5 30.2 14.1 11.1 7.6
Used 0 times per week 16.0 4.8 5.3 2.7 1.5 1.8
Used 1 time per week 13.3 5.5 4.6 1.8 0.8 0.5
Used 2 to 3 times per week 25.7 4.7 12.4 5.0 2.7 1.0
Used 4 to 6 times per week 15.1 1.3 5.8 2.8 3.2 2.0
Used 7 or more times per week 9.5 0.2 2.0 1.9 2.9 2.4
Do not have a dishwasher 38.6 12.2 12.5 5.3 4.4 4.2
Dishwasher age            
Less than 2 years old 11.3 1.9 4.3 2.5 1.5 1.1
2 to 4 years old 16.1 2.4 6.3 2.9 3.1 1.5
5 to 9 years old 26.9 5.2 10.3 4.4 3.9 3.0
10 to 14 years old 16.4 4.0 6.3 3.0 1.7 1.3
15 to 19 years old 5.1 1.4 1.9 0.7 0.6 0.5
20 or more years old 4.0 1.5 1.2 0.7 0.3 0.3
Do not have a dishwasher 38.6 12.2 12.5 5.3 4.4 4.2
Most-used dishwasher cycle type            
Normal or default cycle without heated dry 14.4 2.4 6.4 2.4 2.2 1.1
Normal or default cycle with heated dry 36.9 6.9 14.1 6.8 5.5 3.6
Heavy or "pots and pans" cycle 5.1 0.8 1.7 1.0 1.0 0.6
Light or delicate cycle 1.8 0.8 0.6 Q 0.3 Q
Energy saver 5.4 0.9 2.2 1.2 0.7 0.5
Do not have or use a dishwasher 54.5 17.0 17.8 7.9 5.9 5.9
Clothes washers            
Have a clothes washer at home 97.4 19.9 36.8 16.7 13.6 10.4
Top-loading 73.5 16.4 28.1 12.5 9.1 7.4
Front-loading 23.8 3.5 8.7 4.2 4.5 3.0
Do not have a clothes washer at home 20.8 8.9 5.9 2.7 1.9 1.5
Clothes washer age            
Less than 2 years old 15.1 2.7 5.0 2.6 2.5 2.3
2 to 4 years old 22.1 3.5 7.9 4.1 3.8 2.9
5 to 9 years old 34.7 6.4 14.0 6.0 4.9 3.4
10 to 14 years old 17.1 4.3 6.6 3.1 1.8 1.2
15 to 19 years old 5.4 1.8 2.1 0.5 0.5 0.4
20 or more years old 3.0 1.1 1.2 0.3 Q Q
Do not have a clothes washer at home 20.8 8.9 5.9 2.7 1.9 1.5
Clothes washer usage            
0 loads per week 1.2 0.7 0.3 Q Q Q
1 to 4 loads per week 59.8 17.2 25.0 9.4 5.2 3.0
5 to 9 loads per week 26.9 1.7 9.5 5.6 5.9 4.2
10 to 15 loads per week 8.0 Q 1.7 1.5 2.1 2.4
More than 15 loads per week 1.4 Q 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.6
Do not have a clothes washer at home 20.8 8.9 5.9 2.7 1.9 1.5
Usual water temperature setting for the wash cycle            
Hot 6.6 1.7 2.5 1.0 0.9 0.5
Warm 47.5 9.4 18.2 8.2 6.8 5.0
Cold 42.0 8.0 15.9 7.5 5.8 4.8
Do not have or use a clothes washer at home 22.1 9.6 6.2 2.7 2.0 1.5
Usual water temperature setting for the rinse cycle            
Hot 2.3 0.4 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.2
Warm 23.2 4.6 8.5 3.8 3.5 2.9
Cold 70.7 14.2 27.2 12.5 9.6 7.2
Do not have or use a clothes washer at home 22.1 9.6 6.2 2.7 2.0 1.5
Clothes dryer and fuel            
Have a clothes dryer at home 94.9 19.2 36.0 16.3 13.3 10.1
Electricity 75.8 15.7 28.7 12.9 10.3 8.1
Natural gas 17.9 3.2 6.7 3.2 2.8 1.9
Propane 1.3 0.2 0.6 Q Q Q
Do not have a clothes dryer at home 23.3 9.5 6.7 3.1 2.2 1.7
Clothes dryer age            
Less than 2 years old 11.7 2.0 4.0 2.1 1.9 1.6
2 to 4 years old 20.2 3.3 7.2 3.5 3.4 2.8
5 to 9 years old 33.9 6.0 13.4 6.2 4.8 3.4
10 to 14 years old 19.0 4.6 7.2 3.3 2.3 1.6
15 to 19 years old 6.2 1.7 2.5 0.8 0.6 0.5
20 or more years old 4.0 1.5 1.8 0.4 0.2 Q
Do not have a clothes dryer at home 23.3 9.5 6.7 3.1 2.2 1.7
Clothes dryer usage            
0 loads per week 2.1 1.2 0.5 Q Q Q
1 to 4 loads per week 56.8 15.9 24.0 8.9 4.9 3.0
5 to 9 loads per week 26.3 1.8 9.2 5.4 5.8 4.0
10 to 15 loads per week 8.3 0.3 2.0 1.6 2.1 2.4
More than 15 loads per week 1.4 Q 0.3 Q 0.3 0.6
Do not have a clothes dryer at home 23.3 9.5 6.7 3.1 2.2 1.7

1Housing characteristics data were collected between August 2015 and April 2016.
2Total U.S. includes all primary occupied housing units in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Vacant housing units, seasonal units, second homes, military houses, and group quarters are excluded.
3Some other small kitchen appliance includes stand mixers, bread makers, waffle makers, electric can openers, sandwich makers, coffee grinders, and many other reported appliances.

Q = Data withheld because either the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50% or fewer than 10 cases responded.
N = No cases responded.

Notes:  Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. See RECS Terminology for definition of terms used in these tables.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Forms EIA-457A and EIA-457C of the 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey.