How Many Kilowatt-Hours (kWh) Does the Average American Household Use?

The amount of energy a household consumes varies widely based on numerous factors, including:

• Fuel type
  • Electricity
  • Natural gas
  • Propane/LPG
  • Fuel oil
  • Kerosene
• House size
• Number of occupants
• Location
• Climate

Various government agencies, such as the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Department of Energy, provide detailed data on energy consumption based on the above factors.

Household consumption averages can be useful benchmarks if you’re trying to save on energy bills or considering installing a residential solar power system at your home — and we’ll explore those figures below.

However, there’s no substitute for calculating the energy consumption of your actual home.

Read on to learn more.   

Monitoring Power Consumption of Household Appliances

Many American households consume more than one type of fuel…

For example, you may use natural gas to cook your meals and heat your home.

Heating methods vary, but well over 99% of American households consume electricity, and most get at least a portion of their power from the utility grid.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing primarily on electricity consumption rather than the use of fossil fuels for applications that produce heat.

If you’re looking to reduce your bills by reducing consumption through energy efficiency — or installing solar panels and a balance of system — getting an accurate picture of how much power your household appliances consume is a good place to start.

There are several ways to calculate the power consumption of your high-wattage home appliances.

The simplest way is to check the wattage specifications labeled on the device, in the manual, or on the manufacturer’s website.

However, older or malfunctioning appliances may consume more than their rated power wattage.

Additionally, many devices continue to consume electricity even when they’re not in active use, particularly electronics that have a standby mode, like televisions and computers.

If you want a more accurate picture of how much electricity your appliances consume, you have numerous options.

Electricity Usage Monitors

Electricity usage monitors — or power meters — are widely available online and in most hardware stores.

The devices are inexpensive, easy to use, and can determine the actual electricity consumption of 120V household appliances.

With most models, you simply plug the monitor into the AC outlet that the appliance normally occupies, then plug the appliance into the monitor.

The monitor’s display will show you how many watts of electricity the appliance is currently consuming. 

More sophisticated monitors can track usage over time in watt-hours and kilowatt-hours (kWh). Some even allow you to input your electricity cost per kWh to calculate how much money the appliance costs to operate over a given period, like a day or a month.

Energy usage monitors are useful for determining the electricity consumption of a single appliance or several devices plugged into a power strip or uninterruptible supply (UPS).

However, if you wish to measure the consumption of many devices at once, you’ll need to buy power meters or plug them into the monitor one at a time for the desired period of time.

(Source: Berkeley Lab)

Monitors that track usage over time are particularly useful for appliances that don’t consume power constantly, such as refrigerators or space heaters, which may toggle on and off based on temperature.

They can also help you track down “energy vampires” that consume electricity in standby mode — also known as phantom loads or phantom power.

Whole Home Energy Monitors

Power meters are cheap and handy for tracking the consumption of a single appliance or several plugged into a power strip.

However, they’re inconvenient for measuring the energy consumption of multiple appliances in your home for extended periods.

Also, most electricity usage monitors don’t work with 240V high-voltage appliances and systems like water heaters, washers and dryers, heating, and air conditioning.

If you want an accurate and ongoing measurement of electricity consumption in your home, you’re better off with a whole home energy monitor.

For example, EcoFlow’s PowerInsight home energy monitor is a comprehensive dashboard that allows you to view your electricity consumption in real-time by day, month, or year.

It also integrates seamlessly with EcoFlow’s portable power stations and solar generators to monitor how much electricity is stored in your home backup battery and/or how much power your solar panel array produces.

PowerInsight is also compatible with IoT Smart Devices and Plugs that follow the Matter Smart Home Standard for interoperability, including those from manufacturers like Google, Amazon, and Apple.

When combined with EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 and a whole home generator system like EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra, it provides the ultimate in energy security, monitoring, and control.

Average Energy Consumption and Expenditures by Household

The energy consumption of American homes varies widely, but there are resources from government and academic sources that provide national, state, and local averages.

 For example, the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) is conducted on an irregular basis, and the most recent available data is from 2020.

For that study, the Energy Information Agency collected the demographic and energy usage data of 18,496 primary residences across all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine how much the average household spends on energy bills.

 The EIA’s interactive RECS Dashboard allows you to drill down on average energy consumption and expenditures by state and nationally based on numerous criteria that you select, including:

• Fuel Type
• End Use Case (e.g., space heating, air conditioning, water heating, refrigerators etc.)

Because climate and energy costs vary drastically across the US, state averages are generally more useful than national averages for consumers who seek to compare their consumption and expenditures to other households. 

However, let’s examine the national averages for consumption and expenditures by end-use, broken down by major categories in RECS.

First, here are the household characteristics of the average American home as determined by RECS.

Household Characteristics 

Total number of housing units in the US	123.53 million
Total square footage per housing unit	1,818
Total site consumption per household (MMBtu)	76.8
Housing units using natural gas as the main space heating fuel	51%
All-electric households	25%
Households that use air-conditioning equipment	89%

Annual Consumption and Expenditure by End Use 

End Use	Consumption (MMBtu)	Expenditures
Air Conditioning	7.9	$299
Space Heating	34.4	$519
Refrigeration	2.9	$116
Water Heating	14.1	$287
Other End Use	20.2	$725

The total electricity consumption per household was 10,566kWh annually at a cost of $1,224.

51% of American homes use natural gas for space heating, but most other categories — such as air conditioning and “other end use” — rely on electricity.

Examples of “other end use” applications that consume significant power include washers and dryers, kitchen appliances, home entertainment devices, lighting, and computer equipment.

What Is the Average kWh Consumption for a Household in the US?

Many American homes rely on more than one fuel source to power their homes, such as natural gas or fuel oil for heat.

However, almost all of us use electricity for air conditioning, refrigeration, and the myriad electronic devices and high-wattage home appliances that make up the bulk of our home energy consumption.

So, how many watts does the average house use?

The most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) from 2020 pegged average household electricity consumption in the US as follows:

• 10,566kWh per year
• 880.5kWh per month
• 28.95kWh per day 

Since utility grid power providers bill residential customers for electricity per kilowatt-hour, it’s easy to see how close your home consumption is to the national average.

(Source: Energy Information Agency)

Data collection for the next RECS began in the Fall of 2024 and continues through March 2025.

Recent data from the Department of Energy indicates that average household consumption in watts hasn’t changed much since 2020.

According to the EIA, “In 2022, the average annual amount of electricity sold to (purchased by) a U.S. residential electric-utility customer was 10,791 kilowatt-hours (kWh), an average of about 899 kWh per month” — an annual increase of just over 2% over 2020. 

Average Retail Electricity Prices in the United States in Selected Years From 1990 to 2023

(Cents per Kilowatt-Hour)

(Source: Statista)

However, your electricity price per kWh may have increased significantly since then.

Watts vs. Kilowatt-Hours

If you’re researching average electricity consumption because you’re considering purchasing rooftop solar panels or an inverter generator to save money on electricity bills and protect your home during blackouts, understanding the relationship between watts and watt-hours is essential.

Watts (W) and kilowatts (kW) determine the amount of electricity needed to start and run home appliances, HVAC systems, etc.

Watt-hours (Wh) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure electricity consumption over time.

Learn more about the difference between kW vs. kWh here.

What Household Appliances Use the Most kWhs?

If you’re among the majority of Americans who use natural gas or other fossil fuels to heat your home, air conditioning likely consumes the most electricity during the summer months.

According to RECS, 89% of households use at least one AC unit to cool their homes.

Other energy guzzlers include water heaters, washer/dryers, refrigerators, home entertainment devices like televisions, and home office devices like computers.

Many small electronic devices — like WiFi routers and smartphones — don’t consume much electricity individually. 

But their combined wattage is substantial.

(Source: Parks Associates)

Research by consulting firm Parks Associates found that in 2023, the average US home with internet access had 17 connected devices.

That wattage adds up.

Going back to RECS again, “other end-use” electricity consumption — which includes everything except HVAC, refrigerators, and water heaters — accounted for about $725 of total annual energy expenditures of $1,946.

That’s about 37% of total annual energy costs — including fuel costs for heat.

For your reference, here are the average starting and running wattages of appliances, power tools, and devices found in many American homes.

Appliance Wattage Chart

Home Appliance Wattage Chart

Appliance	Average Wattage (W)	Average Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Air Conditioner	3,500-5,000W	10,500-15,000W
Air Conditioner Window Unit (8,000 BTU)	800-1,500W	2400-4500W
Blender	300-1,000W	N/A
Ceiling Fan	50-100W	N/A
Clothes Dryer	1,800-5,000W	N/A
Coffee Maker	800-1,200W	N/A
Computer (Desktop)	100-400W	N/A
Dehumidifier	200-800W	N/A
Dishwasher	1,200-2,400W	2400-4800W
Electric Bike	250-750W	N/A
Electric Blanket	50-200W	N/A
Electric Chainsaw	1,200-2,000W	2400-4000W
Electric Deep Fryer	1,000-2,000W	N/A
Electric Fireplace	750-2,400W	N/A
Electric Grill	1,200-1,800W	N/A
Electric Hedge Trimmer	400-800W	800-1600W
Electric Lawn Edger	500-1,200W	1000-2400W
Electric Pressure Cooker	600-1,200W	N/A
Electric Scooter	250-750W	N/A
Electric Shaver	10-20W	N/A
Electric Skateboard	200-500W	N/A
Electric Wok	1,200-1,800W	N/A
Fluorescent Light (15W)	15-50W	N/A
Garbage Disposal	400-1000W	800-2000W
Garage Door Opener	100-500W	300-1500W
Game Console	50-150W	N/A
Hair Dryer	1,200-1,800W	N/A
Hedge Trimmer	400-800W	800-1600W
Humidifier	30-300W	N/A
Incandescent Light (60W)	60-120W	N/A
Induction Cooktop (Single)	1000-1800W	N/A
Instant Hot Water Dispenser	1300-1500W	N/A
Iron	1,000-1,800W	N/A
Laptop charger	30-120W	N/A
LED Light Bulb (10W)	10W	N/A
Microwave Oven	600-1,200W	1200-2400W
Pool Pump	500-2,500W	1000-5000W
Portable Air Compressor	500-2,275W	1500-6825W
Pressure Cooker	700-1200W	N/A
Pressure Washer	1,200-2,500W	2400-5000W
Refrigerator/Freezer	100-400W	300-1200W
Space Heater	750-1500W	N/A
Television (42″ LCD/LED)	70-200W	N/A
Television (42″ Plasma)	150-400W	N/A
Toaster	800-1,500W	N/A
Vacuum Cleaner	500-1,500W	1000-3000W
Washing Machine	300-500W	600-1000W
Water Heater (150L)	3,000-4,500W	N/A
Wi-Fi Router	5-20W	N/A

Power Tool Wattage Chart

Tool	Average Wattage (W)	Average Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Angle Grinder	500-2,000W	1000-4000W
Angle Grinder Charger	800-1,500W	N/AW)
Band Saw	800-1,500W	1600-3000W
Belt Sander	800-1,200W	1600-2400W
Chainsaw	1,200-2,500W	2400-5000W
Chainsaw Charger	1,200-2,500W	N/A
Circular Saw	1,200-2,400W	2400-4800W
Concrete Mixer	1,500-2,500W	3000-5000W
Demo Hammer Charger	1,000-2,000W	N/A
Drill Charger	300-1,200W	N/A
Dust Extractor/Vacuum	500-1,500W	1000-3000W
Electric Screwdriver	100-300W	N/A
Hedge Trimmer Charger	200-600W	N/A
Heat Gun	1,200-2,000W	N/A
Impact Driver	800-1,500W	1600-3000W
Impact Driver Charger	800-1,500W	N/A
Impact Wrench	800-1,500W	1600-3000W
Jigsaw	300-800W	600-1600W
Leaf Blower Charger	200-800W	N/A
Miter Saw	1,200-1,800W	2400-3600W
Multi-Tool Charger	100-300W	N/A
Nail Gun	300-800W	N/A
Orbital Sander	200-400W	N/A
Paint Mixer/Stirrer	500-1,000W	N/A
Paint Sprayer	400-800W	N/A
Planer	800-1,500W	1600-3000W
Polisher/Buffing Machine	500-1,000W	N/A
Pressure Washer	1,200-2,500W	2400-5000W
Reciprocating Saw	600-1,200W	1200-2400W
Reciprocating Saw Charger	600-1,200W	N/A
Rivet Gun	100-500W	N/A
Rotary Hammer Charger	800-1,500W	N/A
Rotary Tool	100-300W	N/A
Router	800-1,500W	1600-3000W
Soldering Iron	20-100W	N/A
Table Saw	1,500-3,000W	3000-6000W
Tile Cutter	600-1,200W	1200-2400W
Tile Saw	800-1,200W	1600-2400W
Welding Machine	1,000-5,000W	N/A
Wood Lathe	500-1,500W	1000-3000W

Camping and RV Appliance Wattage Chart

Appliance	Average Wattage	Average Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Bread Maker	500-1,000W	N/A
Camping Blender	300-800W	N/A
Camping Fan (Battery or USB)	3-20W	N/A
Camping Fridge/Freezer (12V/24V/AC)	30-100W	N/A
Camping Grill	1,000-2,000W	N/A
Camping Ice Maker	100-500W	N/A
Camping Lantern (LED)	5-50W	N/A
Camping Oven	800-1,500W	N/A
Camping Shower	100-400W	N/A
Camping Stove	1,000-2,500W	N/A
Camping TV (LCD/LED)	50-500W	N/A
Camping Water Kettle	500-1,000W	N/A
Camping Water Pump	50-200W	N/A
Camping Water Purifier	10-50W	N/A
Coffee Machine	500-1,000W	N/A
Crepe Maker	500-1,200W	N/A
Electric Blanket	50-200W	N/A
Electric Fondue Set	500-1,000W	N/A
Electric Grill Pan	500-1,200W	N/A
Electric Griddle	800-1,500W	N/A
Electric Hot Plate	500-1,500W	N/A
Electric Ice Crusher	200-500W	N/A
Electric Juicer	200-500W	N/A
Electric Pancake Maker	500-1,000W	N/A
Electric Raclette Grill	500-1,200W	N/A
Electric Skillet	500-1,200W	N/A
Electric Smoker	800-1,500W	N/A
Electric Steamer	800-1,200W	N/A
Electric Wok	1,200-1,800W	N/A
Egg Cooker	200-500W	N/A
Food Dehydrator	200-500W	N/A
Hair Dryer	500-1,500W	N/A
Heater	500-1,500W	N/A
Hot Dog Maker	500-1,000W	N/A
Ice Cream Maker	200-500W	N/A
Kettle	500-1,000W	N/A
Portable Cooktop	500-1,500W	N/A
Portable Cooler/Warmer	30-100W	N/A
Portable Fan Heater	500-1,500W	N/A
Portable Microwave Oven	600-1,200W	1200-2400W
Portable Washing Machine	200-500W	400-1000W
Popcorn Maker	500-1,200W	N/A
Radio	5-15W	N/A
Small Air Conditioner	500-1,500W	1500-4500W
Small Dishwasher	500-1,200W	1000-2400W
Slow Cooker	200-500W	N/A
Soup Maker	500-1,000W	N/A
Toaster	500-1,000W	N/A
Yogurt Maker	100-300W	N/A

Computer and Communication Wattage Chart

Device	Average Wattage (W)	Average Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Cordless Phone	2-5W	N/A
Ethernet Cable	Does not consume power	N/A
Ethernet Switch	5-30W	N/A
External Hard Drive	5-15W	N/A
Fax Machine	10-50W	N/A
Fiber Optic Cable	Does not consume power	N/A
IP Camera	5-15W	N/A
IP Phone	2-5W	N/A
KVM Switch	5-30W	N/A
Laptop	30-120W	N/A
Mobile Phone Charger	5-15W	N/A
Modem	5-15W	N/A
Network Access Point (AP)	5-20W	N/A
Network Adapter/Converter	Varies based on type	N/A
Network Attached Storage (NAS)	20-100W	N/A
Network Bridge	5-20W	N/A
Network Diagnostic Tool	Varies based on type	N/A
Network Firewall	10-50W	N/A
Network Hub	5-30W	N/A
Network Load Balancer	10-50W	N/A
Network Media Converter	5-20W	N/A
Network Modem	5-15W	N/A
Network Rack	Varies based on equipment inside	N/A
Network Repeater/Extender	5-20W	N/A
Network Storage Enclosure	20-100W	N/A
Network Switch	5-30W	N/A
Network Test Equipment	Varies based on type	N/A
Network Video Recorder (NVR)	50-200W	N/A
Patch Cable	Does not consume power	N/A
Patch Panel	5-20W	N/A
Powerline Adapter	3-10W	N/A
Printer	20-100W	N/A
Projector	150-300W	N/A
Router	5-20W	N/A
Scanner	10-50W	N/A
Server	Varies based on configuration	N/A
Server Rack	Varies based on equipment inside	N/A
Smart Speaker	10-30W	N/A
Tablet Charger	5-15W	N/A
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)	Varies based on capacity	N/A
UPS Battery Backup	Varies based on capacity	N/A
Video Conferencing System	100-500W	N/A
Video Encoder/Decoder	10-50W	N/A
Video Surveillance System	50-500W	N/A
VoIP Gateway	5-20W	N/A
VoIP Phone System	Varies based on configuration	N/A
VPN Router	5-20W	N/A
Wi-Fi Router	5-20W	N/A
Wireless Access Point (WAP)	5-20W	N/A
Workstation Computer	100-400W	N/A

Home, Office, and Professional Lighting Wattage Chart

Lighting Type	Average Wattage (W)	Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Bathroom Vanity Lights	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Cabinet Lighting	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
Ceiling Light Fixture	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Chandelier (Multiple Bulbs)	<1000W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Desk Lamp	<70W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Digital Photo Frame	5-20W	N/A
Display Cabinet Lighting	Varies based on bulb wattage and number of fixtures	N/A
Emergency Exit Signs	Varies based on type of lighting used	N/A
Fibre Optic Lighting	Varies based on type and configuration	N/A
Floor Lamp	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Fluorescent Light Bulb (15W)	15W	N/A
Fluorescent Light Bulb (5W)	5W	N/A
Fluorescent Light Bulb (9W)	9W	N/A
Garden Lights	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
Grow Lights (Indoor Gardening)	Varies based on type and wattage of bulbs	N/A
Incandescent Light Bulb (25W)	25W	N/A
Incandescent Light Bulb (40W)	40W	N/A
Incandescent Light Bulb (60W)	60W	N/A
Landscape Lighting	Varies based on bulb wattage and number of fixtures	N/A
LED Light Bulb (10W)	10W	N/A
LED Light Bulb (3W)	3W	N/A
LED Light Bulb (6W)	6W	N/A
LED Strip Lights	Varies based on length and power consumption per foot/meter	N/A
Motion-Activated Security Lights	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
Neon Signs	Varies based on size and type of lighting used	N/A
Outdoor Post Light	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
Outdoor Wall Light Fixture	<120W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Pendant Light (per light)	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Picture Frame Lighting	Varies based on bulb wattage and number of fixtures	N/A
Recessed Lighting	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Rope Lights	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
Stage Lighting	Varies based on type and configuration	N/A
Step/Stair Lights	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
String Lights	Varies based on bulb wattage	N/A
Swimming Pool Lighting	Varies based on bulb wattage and number of fixtures	N/A
Table Lamp	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Track Lighting	<1000W based on bulb wattage	N/A
Track Lighting (Multiple)	Varies based on total wattage of bulbs	N/A
Wall Sconce	<100W based on bulb wattage	N/A

Personal or Health Device and Appliance Wattage Chart

Appliance or Device	Average Wattage (W)	Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Air Purifier	30-100W	N/A
CPAP Machine	30-60W	N/A
Electric Massage Chair	100-300W	N/A
Electric Toothbrush Charger	2-5W	N/A
Electric Vehicle Charger (Level 1)	1200-2000W	N/A
Electric Vehicle Charger (Level 2)	7000-20000W	N/A
Electric Wheelchair	200-500W	N/A
Elliptical Trainer	300-700W	N/A
Exercise Bike	50-300W	N/A
Humidifier	30-300W	N/A
Robot Vacuum Cleaner	25-60W	N/A
Sewing Machine	75-150W	N/A
Smart Thermostat	1-5W	N/A
Treadmill	500-2000W	1000-4000W

Miscellaneous Device Wattage Chart

Device	Average Wattage (W)	Starting Watts (Surge Power)
Bladeless Fan	20-40W	N/A
Clothes Steamer	750-1500W	N/A
Electric Fire Starter	100-500W	N/A
Portable Power Station/Battery Bank	Varies Widely	N/A
Security Camera (wired)	2-10W	N/A

Of course, the actual starting and operating wattage required by devices and appliances vary by model, but the averages above should give you some insight.

Try our free home energy calculator here.

Learn about starting and running watts here — it’s essential if you’re considering purchasing a generator or home battery backup system. 

If you’d like a step-by-step guide to estimating the total consumption in kilowatt-hours of appliances in your home, learn how to calculate kWh usage here.

What Factors Affect Kilowatt-Hour Consumption in a Household?

Numerous interrelated elements determine how much electricity an American household consumes.

Some of them affect you and your closest neighbors equally… 

Others come down to individual choice.

Here’s a summary of the essential variables that determine household electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). 

Location

Where your home is located impacts your electricity consumption in numerous ways.

• Climate: Homes in states with extremes of hot and cold temperatures consume more electricity on average than households in more temperate states.  
• Building Codes and Standards: Home energy efficiency plays a substantial role in electricity consumption. Homes in states and localities with lax building codes tend to be less energy efficient, especially when it comes to heating and cooling, leading to greater electricity consumption compared to locations with strict efficiency standards on insulations and other building envelope components. 
• Price per kWh: The rate you pay for electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh) may not be directly related to consumption, but it certainly impacts how much it costs to power your home. Evidence generally shows that households with higher electricity prices tend to consume less energy than places where the price per kWh is low, although other factors such as climate, income, and energy efficiency measures also play a significant role. For example, Hawaii pays the highest rate for electricity and has lower average household consumption than much of the US, suggesting that high prices per kWh act as a deterrent.   

Heating and Cooling

Air conditioning is the #1 consumer of electricity in the average American household.

The most recent RECS shows that 19% of total residential electricity consumption in the US is from air conditioning to the tune of about 254 billion kilowatt-hours [kWh] per year.

Nearly 90% of American households use AC at home for at least part of the year.

A slim majority of US households use natural gas for heat, but a growing number of American homes are all-electric.

(Source: EIA)

As of 2020, over 25% of US households used electricity as the only source of energy at home. 

Your household’s total electricity consumption in kWh will be largely determined by how much (or how little) electricity you use to heat and cool your home.

Appliance Type & Usage

The number and type of appliances and electronic devices a household uses — and for how long — accounts for a significant portion of electricity consumption in kWh at home.

For example, according to RECS, refrigerators consumed 13% of the total US household average in 2020.

Other than fridges, water heaters, and HVAC systems, RECS doesn’t report the average electricity consumption of individual high-wattage appliances like televisions and washing machines.

But the combined consumption of “other end-use” electronics was 11% on average or approximately 1179 kWh of electricity per year.

 Older high-wattage appliances can substantially impact electricity consumption.

If you’re looking to reduce electricity consumption, doing a DIY home energy audit of your appliances is an easy place to start. 

Start by identifying the standalone appliances that consume the most electricity, such as:

• Window AC units
• Refrigerators 
• Space heaters
• Freezers
• Washer/dryers
• Dishwashers
• Televisions and home entertainment systems

Compare their rated power consumption in watts to Energy Star-rated efficient appliances and estimate how much you can save on electricity bills with an upgrade over time.

If you qualify, consider taking advantage of the Home Energy Audit tax credit, which evaluates the efficiency of your existing appliances and HVAC systems and many other aspects of energy efficiency in your home.

Water Heating

Heating water with electricity comes in second to natural gas as the method most commonly used in American households.

However, if you do have an electric water heater, it likely accounts for a significant portion of your household consumption in kWh.

Electric water heaters are responsible for 13% of total consumption in the average American home or about 1,400kWh annually.

Water heating is also one of the factors most likely to increase electricity consumption based on the number of occupants in your home.

More efficient alternatives to natural gas and electricity for water heating — like Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) — are becoming more popular and may be eligible for generous government incentives like the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Credit.

Home Size and Type

Not surprisingly, there is a direct correlation between the size of a dwelling and the potential amount of electricity it consumes.

Larger homes typically require more energy for heating, cooling, and lighting because there’s generally more surface area exposed to the elements and more square footage to light.

In 2020, the average US home size was 1,818 square feet. 

Dwellings exceeding that square footage are more likely to consume a higher-than-average amount of electricity in kWh than homes under 1,818 square feet, but this isn’t guaranteed due to factors like energy efficiency measures and the behavior of occupants.

The type of home also has a substantial impact on energy efficiency and electricity consumption.

Here are the types of dwellings ranked from lowest to highest in likely average consumption by kWh, assuming similar levels of occupancy and energy efficiency.

1. Apartments
2. Townhouses
3. Single-family homes 

Household Size (Number of Occupants)

There is a positive correlation between the number of people living in a household and average electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours.

However, the relationship may not be as direct or significant as you think.

While the total average household electricity consumption generally increases with the number of occupants, the per-capita electricity consumption tends to decrease due to economies of scale and shared resource use.

In plain English, the more people that share a dwelling, the less electricity per person (on average) each occupant consumes.

Again, this is a generalization, but it’s a helpful way to look at consumption based on the number of occupants in many American households. 

Electricity Usage Habits and Patterns

The electricity usage patterns and behavior of people living in a household have at least as significant an impact on electricity consumption in kWh as the number of occupants — and often more.  

Modifying when and how your family uses electricity and encouraging energy-efficient behavior is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to cut down on consumption and save on electricity bills.  

Learn how to reduce electricity consumption by up to 75%.

Seasonality (Time of Year)

Households in many parts of the US that experience extreme cold and heat, like Texas and much of the Northeast, typically experience substantial spikes in electricity consumption, with the largest increases coming in the hot summer months.

Energy consumption also spikes in winter, but many homes rely on fuel sources other than electricity for heat.

How to Reduce Your Household’s kWh Consumption

Energy bills represent a significant obligation for American homeowners and renters, one that many people struggle to meet.

(Source: EIA)

Unfortunately, the people who struggle to pay their energy bills also pay a higher price for power (from all sources, including electricity) than consumers who don’t — by over 25%.

High energy prices aren’t the only thing that threatens home energy security.

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, heat waves, and blizzards are becoming increasingly frequent, resulting in severe power outages that last days or even weeks.

America’s aging power grid infrastructure is increasingly unable to keep up with electricity demand, particularly the skyrocketing consumption by data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

AI’s demand for electricity is growing so rapidly that Microsoft recently put together a deal to purchase the entire electric generating capacity of the shuttered nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania — part of a reactor complex that partially melted down in 1979. 

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help ensure home energy security, lower your electricity bills, and reduce reliance on the utility grid.

Here are five practical tips.

Invest in Solar Power

Millions of American homes and businesses have reduced or eliminated electricity costs and achieved energy security by investing in clean, renewable solar power.

(Source: SEIA)

The installation of residential photovoltaic systems that generate electricity has skyrocketed in the last decade, becoming by far the most accessible way for homeowners and individuals to tap into renewable power.

Commercial and utility-scale solar farms are essential to transitioning to a net-zero carbon emissions future.

Community solar programs make renewable power accessible to renters or homeowners who don’t have a suitable rooftop or ground mounting area to install solar panels themselves.

(Source: SEIA)

As the demand for solar panels has increased and technology has improved, prices have dropped significantly, both for PV modules and balance of system components, such as:

• Solar inverters
• Solar batteries
• Charge controllers
• Battery management systems

Many convenient, affordable, all-in-one systems, such as EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, are now available.

In addition to falling prices, multiple federal government incentives encourage homeowners to invest in residential solar power systems that generate and store electricity for personal use.

The most generous is the Federal Solar Tax Credit, which can save US taxpayers up to 30% of the total purchase and installation costs of an eligible solar power and battery storage system.  

If you qualify, your federal personal income tax liability will be reduced by 30% of your total costs.

There’s no cap on how much you can save, and you can apply for the Clean Residential Energy Credit in multiple tax years until the program expires in 2034.  

If you don’t currently owe taxes — or your 30% credit exceeds your tax liability for the year — you can roll the credit over to subsequent years until the total amount has been recouped.

However, you can’t receive a payout if you don’t pay or owe federal income taxes.

Depending on where you live, state solar incentives may also reduce your upfront and ongoing costs.

The less money you spend on the initial purchase and installation of a home solar power system, the faster you’ll achieve solar payback and maximize your return on investment.

Minimize Time-of-Use Pricing and Protect Your Home During Blackouts

Investing in a hybrid PV system that provides solar + storage offers additional opportunities to reduce on-grid electricity consumption, save money on bills, and achieve home energy security.

Grid-connected renewable energy systems without battery storage automatically shut down for the duration of any utility power outage.

You’ll be unable to use electricity generated by your photovoltaic system until grid power is restored.

All grid-tied solar panel systems without a solar battery auto-switch off to prevent injuring utility workers or further damage to the grid.

Hybrid solar systems like EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra provide an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) during blackouts.

Your home appliances and systems will remain operational as long as you don’t exceed DELTA Pro Ultra’s maximum AC output or until the LFP solar batteries run out of charge.

If you generate sufficient electricity with solar panels using the photovoltaic effect — or with one of the multiple recharging options, such as gas or inverter generators — your home can run indefinitely off-grid.

EcoFlow’s portable power stations and solar battery systems also give you the opportunity to save money on electricity bills by avoiding Time-of-Use rates (ToU).

Virtually all utility providers charge a higher price per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed during peak demand periods.

On-peak and off-peak electricity demand charges vary by provider and by state.

For example, the cheapest hours for electricity in Massachusetts vary by power company but are generally early in the morning or late at night. 

By integrating an EcoFlow DELTA Series solar generator with your home’s existing wiring using Smart Home Panel 2, you can program your system to prioritize using utility grid power only during off-peak hours. 

During peak billing hours, the electricity generated by your PV modules and stored in the solar battery will be consumed instead.

Even if you don’t wish to install a Smart Home Panel, all of EcoFlow’s portable power stations and solar generators allow extensive programming from anywhere with an internet connection using the EcoFlow smartphone app.

Saving money by avoiding peak billing hours has never been easier.  

Eliminate Energy Vampires and Phantom Loads

Many of today’s electronics still consume electricity even when you think they’re turned off.

The worst culprits tend to be devices and appliances with a standby mode, including:

• Televisions
• Microwave ovens
• Air conditioners
• Computer equipment
• Home entertainment systems 

…and many more.

Standby power is convenient — many modern appliances require it to perform their primary function — but that convenience comes at a cost.

Often, phantom loads are as much a result of poor design than necessity.

It’s estimated that 5-10% of residential electricity consumption comes from electronic devices drawing standby power.

According to The Berkeley Lab:

“Standby power use is a global problem and even affects climate change: those billions of products continuously drawing standby power are responsible for about 1% of global carbon emissions.” 

Some appliances require standby power to function as intended, including:

• Converting AC to DC (wall adapters – sometimes called “vampires’ – converting AC into DC)
• Maintaining signal reception capability (for remote control, telephone, or network signal)
• Monitoring temperature or other conditions (such as in a refrigerator)
• Powering an internal clock
• Charging a battery
• Continuously displaying information 
• Energizing soft keypads
• Providing heat to maintain readiness for rapid operation (crankcase heaters in heat pumps and instant-on feature in old TVs)

However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drive a stake through the heart of energy vampires when you can.

As mentioned above, energy monitors can help you identify devices that may be sucking up too much phantom power.

But the best way to defeat energy vampires is often simply pulling the plug.

For example, you can plug your entire home entertainment system, including television, gaming console, sound system, Apple TV, Fire Stick, etc., into a surge protector power strip.

When you’re not entertaining yourself, just switch the power strip off.

The Berkeley Lab offers a handy cheat sheet of safely unpluggable appliances.    

Upgrade Old Appliances

It’s not just energy vampires you have to guard your electricity bills against…

Older high-wattage appliances, such as:

• Air conditioners, 
• Space heaters

• Televisions
• Water heaters
• Washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, freezers, 

Even relatively new appliances without an Energy Star rating can take a substantial bite out of your monthly paycheck.

Consider exchanging older appliances for new appliances with Energy Star efficiency ratings.   

Your electricity bill savings may pay for the upgrade more quickly than you think.

And don’t forget to choose LEDs for home lighting instead of incandescent lightbulbs!

(Source: Dept. of Energy)

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Generating electricity with solar power is one of the best ways to reduce your household electricity consumption and dependence on the utility grid.

Another viable option for saving on energy bills is improving your existing home to make it more energy efficient.

Even better?

You can do both!

The federal government has not only incentivized solar power adoption but also improvements that improve the energy efficiency of your home.

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit offers tax credits of up to $3,200 for eligible improvements and property purchases for your primary residence if you live in the home you own.

Here are some examples of eligible property and improvements, courtesy of the IRS:

• Exterior doors that meet applicable Energy Star requirements. Credit is limited to $250 per door and $500 total.
• Exterior windows and skylights that meet Energy Star Most Efficient certification requirements. Credit is limited to $600 total.
• Insulation and air-sealing materials or systems up to $1,200 (must meet the required standards.)
• Home energy audits up to $150
• Central air conditioners*
• Natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters*
• Natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces and hot water boilers*
• Electric or natural gas heat pumps*
• Electric or natural gas heat pump water heaters*
• Biomass stoves and boilers*

* Must meet or exceed the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) highest efficiency tier

As with anything tax-related, it’s essential to read the fine print before making any purchase decisions or improvements based on potential tax credit eligibility.

The good news is you may qualify for both the Residential Clean Energy Credit and the  Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.

Why settle for just one when you can have both?

Do your research, and don’t leave any free money on the table. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Reducing your reliance on the electricity grid’s aging infrastructure is one of the best ways to save money on energy bills over the long term and provide energy security for your family and home.

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra is a modular whole-home generator that can power your house indefinitely during power outages and reduce (or eliminate) electricity bills year-round.

Whether your goal is reducing your energy bills or your carbon footprint, EcoFlow has a solution for you.

Check out our selection today.