Electricity Consumption In The US

Electricity consumption in the U. S is a growing concern. People continue to use a
great deal of power for appliances and for heating and cooling. Perhaps you are wondering
how Americans are using this important source of power. Here is information to give
you a better idea how electric power is used. It may help you to decide the best type
of alternative energy source to consider.

Electric Power Use in the Home

The greatest source of power is used to cool the home. Air conditioning accounts for
sixteen and one half percent of power usage. The next highest source is not heating,
but lighting. Lighting takes up a little over fifteen percent of the total electric power
bill of American homes.

The number three largest power consumer goes to heating water. This does not count people
with gas or solar water heating. However, electric hot water heating takes up a little
over nine percent of the power bill.

The fourth largest power user is heating the home. If you use electric heat for your home,
it will be about nine percent of your total electric bill. This type of heat includes heat
pumps and other electric sources.

Refrigeration comes in at fifth and televisions come in at sixth, with a little over seven
percent. Next are clothes dryers, omputers and cooking, respectfully. This information comes
from the United States Energy Administration.

Total use in American Homes

The average American home used about 11,040 kilowatt hours of electric power in the year 2008.
This comes to about 920 kilowatt hours per month. The state with the highest household usage
was Tennessee with 15,624 kilowatt hours. The state with the less usage was Maine at 6,252
kilowatt hours.

Summary

Americans continue to use a great deal of electric power in their homes. The highest amount
of electricity consumption in the U. S is used for air conditioning. The state with the
highest use is Tennessee, and the state with the lowest use in Maine. By studying these
statistics you can see where alternative energy can have the largest effect. Since lighting
and hot water are the number two and three largest consumers, these may be easier to convert
to something like solar power.