Residential Energy Use - Energy Used in Households

Uses of Energy in Homes
Types of Energy Used in Homes
Energy Use in Different Types of Homes

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USES OF ENERGY IN HOMES

The ability to maintain desired temperatures is one of the most important accomplishments of modern technology. Our ovens, freezers, and homes can be kept at any temperature we choose, a luxury that wasn't possible 100 years ago. Keeping our homes comfortable uses a lot of energy. Over 40 percent of the average home's energy consumption is used for heating. Another 20 percent is used for water heating, 8 percent for cooling rooms, and 5 percent for refrigeration.

Almost one-fourth of the energy used in homes is used for lighting and appliances. Lighting is essential to a modern society. Lights have revolutionized the way we live, work, and play.

Image of pie chart - How energy is Used in Homes (2005)- space heating 41%, lighting and appliances 26%, water heating 20%, air conditioning 8%, refrigeration 5%.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add to exactly 100 percent.

Most homes still use the traditional incandescent bulbs invented by Thomas Edison. These bulbs convert only about ten percent of the electricity they use to produce light, the other 90 percent is converted into heat. In 1879, the average bulb produced only 14 lumens per watt, compared to about 17 lumens per watt today. By adding halogen gases, the efficiency can be increased to 20 lumens per watt.

Compact fluorescent bulbs, or "CFLs", have made inroads into home lighting systems in the last few years. These bulbs last much longer and use much less energy, producing significant savings over the life of the bulb.

Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are also more energy efficient than they used to be. In 1990 Congress passed the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act, which requires new appliances to meet strict energy efficiency standards. Learn more about energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, and other ways to save energy at home.

TYPES OF ENERGY USED IN HOMES

Natural gas is the most widely consumed energy source in American homes, followed by electricity, heating oil and propane. Natural gas and heating oil (fuel oil) are used mainly for home heating. Electricity may also be used for heating and cooling, plus it lights our homes and runs almost all of our appliances including refrigerators, toasters, and computers. Many homes in rural areas use propane for heating, while others use it to fuel their barbecue grills.

Image of Types of Energy Consumed in Homes (2005)- natural gas 45%, electricity 41%, fuel oil 8%, propane 5%.

Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to exactly 100 percent.

ENERGY USE IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOMES

About 80 percent of residential energy use is consumed in single family homes, while 15 percent is consumed in multi-family dwellings such as apartments, and 5 percent is consumed in mobile homes.

More than half of the energy used for heating in single-family homes (either attached or detached) is natural gas, about one-fourth is electricity, and one-tenth is fuel oil (heating oil). Over three-fourths of single-family homes have some type of air conditioning. Most single-family homes have a washing machine and a dryer.

Among Single-Family Dwellings:

In 2005, for the Main Heating Fuel and Equipment: 56% use Natural Gas 26% use Electricity 7% use Fuel Oil 6% use LPG 1% use Kerosene 84% of single family homes have air conditioning (central system, wall/window units - or both)
For Appliances: 95% have a clothes washer 92% have a clothes dryer 74% have a personal computer

Multi-family dwellings such as apartments use about equal amounts of natural gas and electricity for heating. More than 80 percent of multi-family homes have air conditioning and more than one-third contain washers and dryers.

Among Multi-Family Dwellings:

In 2005, for the Main Heating Fuel and Equipment: 47% use Natural Gas 41% use Electricity 7% use Fuel Oil 82% of multi-family homes have air conditioning (a central system,wall/window units - or both)
For Appliances: 40% have a clothes washer 35% have a clothes dryer 55% have a personal computer

Mobile homes are more likely than the other types of homes to heat with propane(LPG). More than one-third of mobile homes use electricity and about one-third use natural gas for heating. Most mobile homes contain washing machines and dryers.

Among Mobile Homes:

In 2005, for the Main Heating Fuel and Equipment: 27% use Natural Gas 42% use Electricity 3% use Fuel Oil 19% use LPG 4% use Kerosene 84% of mobile homes have air conditioning(central system, wall/window units - or both
For Appliances: 87% have a clothes washer 78% have a clothes dryer 49% have a personal computer

Last Revised: June 2009
Sources: Energy Information Administration, 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey.
The National Energy Education Development Project, Secondary Energy Infobook, Manassas, VA, 2004.