How is electricity used in U.S. homes?
U.S. residential sector electricity consumption by major end uses in 2020, as projected in the Annual Energy Outlook 2021
| End use | Billion kWh | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Space cooling | 236 | 16% |
| Space heating | 190 | 15% |
| Water heating | 178 | 12% |
| Refrigeration | 87 | 6% |
| Clothes dryers | 63 | 5% |
| Lighting | 62 | 4% |
| Televisions and related equipment1 | 61 | 4% |
| Computers and related equipment2 | 25 | 2% |
| Furnace fans and boiler circulation pumps | 23 | 2% |
| Freezers | 20 | 1% |
| Cooking | 16 | 1% |
| Clothes washers3 | 11 | 1% |
| Dishwashers3 | 8 | 1% |
| Other uses4 | 522 | 31% |
| Total consumption | 1,504 | |
| 1 Includes televisions, set-top boxes, home theater systems, DVD players, and video game consoles. 2 Includes desktop and laptop computers, monitors, and networking equipment. 3 Does not include water heating. 4 Includes small electric devices, heating elements, exterior lights, outdoor grills, pool and spa heaters, backup electricity generators, and motors not listed above. Does not include electric vehicle charging. | ||
Learn more:
Annual Energy Outlook, Reference case, Table 4: Residential sector key indicators and consumption
Energy Explained: Energy use in homes
Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)
Last updated: February 3, 2021
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