How much electricity is used for space cooling in the United States?
In the Annual Energy Outlook 2023 (AEO2023), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that in 2022, electricity use for cooling the interior of buildings (space cooling) by the U.S. residential and commercial sectors was about 409 billion kilowatthours (kWh), which was equal to about 10% of total estimated U.S. electricity consumption in 2022.
| Sector | Billion kilowatthours | Share of sector's total electricity use | Share of U.S. total electricity use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 250 | 16% | 6% |
| Commercial | 159 | 12% | 4% |
| Total | 409 | 14% | 10% |
| 1 Annual Energy Outlook, Reference case projections for 2022, Tables 4 and 5 | |||
EIA does not have estimates for electricity use specifically for space cooling by the industrial sector. Also, EIA does not have estimates for electricity demand for cooling on an hourly, daily, or monthly basis.
Electricity demand for cooling is significantly affected by climate and weather. Cooling degree days are relative measurements of outdoor air temperature and are used as an index for cooling energy requirements. EIA publishes population-weighted degree day data. The number of annual population-weighted cooling degree days in the United States has generally increased since 1950.
Learn more:
EIA projections for energy use in the residential and commercial sectors in Annual Energy Outlook, Reference case Tables 4 and 5
Energy Explained: Use of electricity
Energy Explained: Degree days
Energy Explained: Energy use in homes
Energy Explained: Energy use in commercial buildings
Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)
Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS)
Last updated: March 28, 2023
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