How much electricity is used for air conditioning in the United States?
Air conditioning is one of the largest uses of electricity in U.S. homes and commercial buildings.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) provides detailed data on the types of air-conditioning equipment in U.S. households and on electricity consumption for air-conditioning. Data are available for each state and in the RECS Dashboard. According to the most recent RECS, in 2020, electricity consumption for air conditioning accounted for about 19% (254 billion kilowatthours [kWh]) of electricity consumption in U.S. homes.
EIA’s Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) provides data on energy sources and types of equipment used for cooling and energy consumption for cooling in U.S. commercial buildings, including electricity consumption. According to the most recent CBECS, in 2018, electricity consumption for cooling accounted for about 14% (170 billion kWh) of total electricity consumption in U.S. commercial buildings. An additional 18% (213 billion kWh) of electricity was consumed for ventilation, some of which involves moving the cooled air through commercial buildings.
EIA’s Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) provides data on how much energy is consumed across heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in U.S. manufacturing facilities from multiple energy sources, including electricity. According to most recent MECS, in 2018, electricity consumption for facility HVAC accounted for about 8% (76 billion kWh) of total electricity use at U.S. manufacturing facilities.
Learn more:
Energy Explained: Use of electricity
Energy Explained: Electricity use in homes
Energy Explained: Energy use in commercial buildings
Energy Explained: Degree days
Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS)
Last updated: March 15, 2024.