Key Notes
- On average, US households consume 893kWh of power per month.
- The main influencing factors are home size, occupancy, climate, and appliance efficiency.
- Heating and cooling accounts for almost half of a household’s power usage.
- Louisiana is the highest consumer, averaging 1,191kWh per month.
- Hawaii uses the least energy on average at 518kWh per month.
What’s the US Average?
Wondering how many watt-hours of electricity the average American uses daily?
The answer is around 29,767 watt-hours (or 29.8 kWh) of electricity.
Statewide Electricity Consumption Comparison
The average household electricity consumption in the United States varies significantly by state, primarily due to differences in utility costs, climate, household size, energy efficiency measures, and the type of heating and cooling systems used.
On a national level, it equates to about 10,715 kWh a year, which translates to around 893 kWh per household per month.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the average amount of power each state uses on a monthly basis, from highest to lowest:
| State | Average Monthly Consumption (kWh) |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | 1,191 |
| Mississippi | 1,174 |
| Texas | 1,174 |
| Arkansas | 1,153 |
| Alabama | 1,141 |
| Kentucky | 1,131 |
| Oklahoma | 1,127 |
| Tennessee | 1,128 |
| Florida | 1,088 |
| North Dakota | 1,091 |
| North Carolina | 1,080 |
| South Carolina | 1,081 |
| Arizona | 1,072 |
| Georgia | 1,070 |
| Virginia | 1,048 |
| West Virginia | 1,035 |
| Missouri | 1,026 |
| Indiana | 1,010 |
| Maryland | 1,005 |
| Nebraska | 1,005 |
| Delaware | 977 |
| Washington | 969 |
| South Dakota | 986 |
| Nevada | 924 |
| Idaho | 949 |
| State | Average Monthly Consumption (kWh) |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 908 |
| Oregon | 916 |
| Iowa | 911 |
| Montana | 850 |
| Wyoming | 867 |
| Ohio | 874 |
| Pennsylvania | 858 |
| Minnesota | 767 |
| Utah | 742 |
| Illinois | 745 |
| New Jersey | 687 |
| Colorado | 687 |
| Connecticut | 692 |
| Wisconsin | 692 |
| Michigan | 648 |
| New Mexico | 655 |
| New Hampshire | 627 |
| Massachusetts | 596 |
| Alaska | 590 |
| Rhode Island | 585 |
| New York | 572 |
| Vermont | 565 |
| California | 546 |
| Maine | 551 |
| Hawaii | 518 |
Factors Influencing Electricity Usage
Where you live, how big your house is, and the age of the main power-consuming appliances in your home all influence how much energy you use in a month.
1. Home Size and Occupancy
Large homes typically use more electricity as the living spaces needing heating, cooling, and lighting are bigger. This is especially true for homes with multiple levels.
Similarly, households with more occupants tend to consume more energy because more people are using lighting, electronics and appliances, like hairdryers, phone chargers and dishwashers.
2. Climate and Weather Patterns
Climate and weather patterns play a significant role in electrical usage. Regions with extreme temperatures usually have higher power bills due to the increased need for heating and cooling.
For example, homes in the South and West regions of the US generally consume more electricity than those in milder climates, as they require more energy to cool and heat their homes.
3. Appliance Efficiency
The type and efficiency of appliances in a home significantly affect energy consumption.
Older appliances tend to be less energy-efficient compared to newer models that often have energy-saving features. For instance, an old refrigerator can consume up to twice as much electricity as a modern energy-efficient model.
What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home?
Most of your electricity bill is made up of heating and cooling costs. But what other factors should you consider? Here’s a quick breakdown before we get into the details:
| Appliance | Percentage of Home's Energy Use |
|---|---|
| Heating and Cooling | 47% |
| - Air Conditioning | 12% |
| - Space Heating | 32% |
| Water Heating | 14% |
| Refrigerators | 4% |
| Lighting | 3-9% |
| Washers and Dryers | 3-9% |
| Electric Ovens and Stoves | 4% |
| Media Equipment | 3% |
| Dishwashers | 2% |
| Computers | 1% |
1. Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling systems are the largest consumers of electricity in the average US home, accounting for nearly half of the total energy use. This includes air conditioning, space heating, and water heating.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning, in particular, has seen a significant increase in usage, with 89% of homes now using it compared to just 57% in 1980. This surge in AC usage is especially prevalent in the South, where the warmer climate calls for more cooling.
Space Heating
Space heating, often powered by electricity, also contributes significantly to energy consumption, especially in colder regions where indoor heating or where radiant heat panels are used regularly to keep your home warm.
Water Heating
Water heating can account for up to 18% of a home’s electricity usage through appliances such as geysers. Deicing products that are convenient for cold climates, like heated driveways, can also raise your electrical bill if they are not properly installed and maintained.
2. Refrigerators
All modern homes have refrigerators, which are the biggest energy users in kitchens, as they operate 24/7.
3. Lighting
A study by the US Department of Energy found that the average American home uses around 1,700 kWh of electricity per year for lighting, with each lamp in your house burning for approximately 1.6 hours a day.
Here, lamp type plays an important role, as compact fluorescent lamps consume more energy than incandescent lamps. In addition, homes with higher-wattage lamps tend to consume more energy.
4. Washers and Dryers
Washers are typically energy-intensive with an average annual energy consumption of around 1,000 kWh. This is due to the high power needed to operate the motor, pump, and heating elements.
5. Electric Ovens and Stoves
The average electric stove or oven in the United States uses 875 kWh in a year, which is about 73 kWh of electricity per month.
This means that running an electric stove for one hour a day could cost between $21.60 and $29.60 per month or between $259.20 and $355.20 per year, assuming an average electricity rate of $0.13 per kWh.
6. Media Equipment
The electrical consumption of your media equipment varies widely, depending on how much you use it.
For example, watching an average of five hours of TV daily and playing video games for about six hours a week uses about 55 kWh of electricity per month.
Additionally, these devices often use standby power even when not in use, which can contribute to increased energy consumption.
7. Dishwashers
When using the average dishwasher, you’re consuming about 1,800 watts of power per cycle. This translates to an average of 1.8 kWh of electricity per cycle, although this varies depending on the size of your dishwasher and the number of washes per week.
8. Computers
When using the average dishwasher, you’re consuming about 1,800 watts of power per cycle. This translates to an average of 1.8 kWh of electricity per cycle, although this varies depending on the size of your dishwasher and the number of washes per week.
Regional Variations
Bear in mind that higher monthly electrical bills don’t equate to higher usage, as the cost of electricity varies significantly from one state to another.
For instance, Hawaii has the lowest energy consumption in the US but pays the highest price per kWh. This is because of its remote location and reliance on imported fuels.
If you want to know how much you’re paying for power in your state, scan the table below:
| State | Cost per kWh (2024) | Average Monthly Consumption (kWh) | Average Monthly Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $0.43 | 518 | $222.74 |
| California | $0.28 | 546 | $152.88 |
| Connecticut | $0.26 | 692 | $179.92 |
| Rhode Island | $0.25 | 585 | $146.25 |
| Massachusetts | $0.25 | 596 | $149.00 |
| Alaska | $0.24 | 590 | $141.60 |
| New York | $0.23 | 572 | $131.56 |
| New Hampshire | $0.22 | 627 | $137.94 |
| Vermont | $0.22 | 565 | $124.30 |
| Maine | $0.22 | 551 | $121.22 |
| New Jersey | $0.18 | 687 | $123.66 |
| Michigan | $0.18 | 648 | $116.64 |
| Wisconsin | $0.17 | 692 | $117.64 |
| Maryland | $0.16 | 1,005 | $160.80 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.16 | 858 | $137.28 |
| Ohio | $0.15 | 874 | $131.10 |
| Illinois | $0.15 | 745 | $111.75 |
| Delaware | $0.14 | 977 | $136.78 |
| Florida | $0.14 | 1,088 | $152.32 |
| Georgia | $0.14 | 1,070 | $149.80 |
| North Carolina | $0.14 | 1,080 | $151.20 |
| South Carolina | $0.14 | 1,081 | $151.34 |
| Virginia | $0.14 | 1,048 | $146.72 |
| Nevada | $0.13 | 924 | $120.12 |
| Colorado | $0.13 | 687 | $89.31 |
| Minnesota | $0.13 | 767 | $99.71 |
| Arizona | $0.13 | 1,072 | $139.36 |
| New Mexico | $0.13 | 655 | $85.15 |
| Utah | $0.12 | 742 | $89.04 |
| Oregon | $0.12 | 916 | $109.92 |
| Washington | $0.12 | 969 | $116.28 |
| Idaho | $0.11 | 949 | $104.39 |
| Montana | $0.11 | 850 | $93.50 |
| Wyoming | $0.11 | 867 | $95.37 |
| Indiana | $0.11 | 1,010 | $111.10 |
| Kansas | $0.11 | 908 | $99.88 |
| Missouri | $0.11 | 1,026 | $112.86 |
| Texas | $0.11 | 1,174 | $129.14 |
| Louisiana | $0.11 | 1,191 | $131.01 |
| Oklahoma | $0.11 | 1,127 | $123.97 |
| Kentucky | $0.11 | 1,131 | $124.41 |
| Arkansas | $0.11 | 1,153 | $126.83 |
| Alabama | $0.11 | 1,141 | $125.51 |
| Tennessee | $0.11 | 1,128 | $124.08 |
| West Virginia | $0.11 | 1,035 | $113.85 |
| Mississippi | $0.10 | 1,174 | $117.40 |
| North Dakota | $0.10 | 1,091 | $109.10 |
| Nebraska | $0.10 | 1,005 | $100.50 |
| Iowa | $0.10 | 911 | $91.10 |
| South Dakota | $0.10 | 986 | $98.60 |
Emerging Technologies
As the price of living increases and we become more aware of our carbon footprint, certain trends are emerging around energy usage.
Smart Appliances and Outlets
These monitor and automatically control electricity usage, and their popularity is on the rise.
Smart thermostats, for instance, learn a home’s temperature preferences and adjust the heating and cooling accordingly, ensuring optimal energy efficiency. They also detect when nobody is home and change the temperature to conserve energy.
Radiant Floor Heating
Radiant heating can potentially cut your energy consumption by 20 to 40% as it eliminates inefficiencies found in duct work and ensures minimal heat loss.
Energy Harvesting and Self-Powering Wearable Devices
Revolutionizing how we manage energy consumption, these devices harness kinetic energy from human motion, solar energy, and thermal energy to power wearable devices that you can use to charge items like USB power sockets.
Tips for Reducing Electricity Usage
Energy Audit
- An energy audit will pinpoint where your home is losing electricity and suggest improvements.
Home Improvements
- Add insulation to prevent heat loss.
- Seal leaks around doors and windows.
- Install energy-efficient windows.
Energy-Saving Habits
- Switch off lights and devices when not in use.
Energy-Efficient Products
- Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances by looking for appliances with the Energy Star label, indicating higher efficiency standards. And, choose products with smart features like eco-modes and timers for optimized energy usage.
- Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. They use significantly less energy and can last up to 25 times longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kWh does a 2000 sq ft house use on average?
The average electricity consumption of a 2,000 sq ft house in America is approximately 1,000 to 2,000 kWh per month. This translates to around 30 to 60 kWh per day.
Will reducing the temperature of my hot water tank significantly affect my power usage?
Yes, reducing the temperature of your hot water tank to 120 degrees Fahrenheit will save on your power consumption. For every 10-degree reduction, you can save between 3% and 5% on your water heating costs.
Final Flicker
Remember, your power usage isn’t just about the numbers on your bill – it’s about how you live in your home. By understanding where your electricity goes, you can make smarter choices about energy use without sacrificing comfort.
From smart thermostats to energy-efficient appliances, there are plenty of ways to cut your energy consumption and your bills. And don’t forget about innovative heating solutions like radiant floor heating, which can cut your energy use by up to 40%.
Ready to take control of your home’s energy use and stay cozy at the same time? Have a look at our heating solutions to keep your home warm while saving on energy bills. It’s time to power up your savings and power down your usage.
