Average American Electricity Consumption

Updated on 19/06/2018

min reading

Electricity consumption depends on a number of factors, including square-footage, household size, and appliances used. We break down these influences below.

Summary: American Household Consumption of Energy

Average Yearly Energy **Use** **(Electricity & Gas) based on Square Footage, in Kilowatt-Hours**
Total Square Footage	Space Heating	Water Heating	Air Conditioning	Refrigerators
Fewer than 500	7,105	2,262	638	812
500 to 900	7,279	3,074	986	986
1,000 to 1,499	8,352	3,973	1,635	1,102
1,500 to 1,999	10,382	4,727	2,146	1,247
2,000 to 2,499	12,760	5,075	2,291	1,363

Source: EIA.gov
Note: Numbers are approximate and based on the United States as a whole. Figures can vary based on family size and region.

Did you know...
On average, 35% of Americans use electricity to heat their homes.

American Electricity Consumption

The household consumption of electricity depends on a variety of factors, including;

Household Square-Footage
Year of home construction
Insulation type and quality
Appliances used
Energy efficiency
Time and duration of energy usage
Climate Region

The graph below represents the average American household's expenditure of electricity, divided by usage type. The largest expenduiture is space cooling followed by lighting, and water heating.

Find out and compare with the electricity consumption in France.

Regional and Family Size Changes in Energy Usage

The below chart depicts fluctuations in energy usage based on region and family size.

Average Annual Household Energy Use by Region & Household Size (in kWh)
Census Region	Space Heating	Water Heating	Air Conditioning	Refrigerators
Northeast	17,467	5,187	674	1,142
Midwest	17,056	5,480	879	1,436
South	6,476	3,956	3,165	1,318
West	8,118	4,659	1,817	1,172
Number of Household Members
1 person	10,198	3,135	1,406	1,025
2 persons	11,840	4,601	2,022	1,318
3 persons	11,840	5,128	2,198	1,318
4 persons	11,869	2,835	2,374	1,377
5 persons	11,752	6,447	2,374	1,348
6 or more persons	11,048	7,004	2,432	1,377

Source: EIA.gov

Note: Numbers are approximate and based on the United States as a whole. Figures can vary based on family size and region.