What Uses the Most Electricity in a Home?
The biggest electricity users are: heating/cooling (40-50%), water heating (15-20%), major appliances like refrigerators and dryers (15-20%), and lighting/electronics (10-15%). HVAC and water heating dominate most bills.
Key Takeaways
- Heating and air conditioning typically account for the largest share—up to 50% in extreme climates.
- Pools pumps can be the #1 electricity user in homes with pools.
- Electric vehicle charging adds 250-500 kWh monthly per car.
Explanation
Heating and air conditioning typically account for the largest share—up to 50% in extreme climates. A central AC system running frequently can use 3,000+ kWh monthly in summer.
Water heating is often the second-largest energy expense, especially with electric water heaters. A family of four can use 400-500 kWh monthly just heating water.
Major appliances vary in impact. Refrigerators run constantly (100-150 kWh/month), dryers use significant power per load (2-5 kWh), and older appliances can use 50% more than new Energy Star models.
Things to Know
- Pools pumps can be the #1 electricity user in homes with pools.
- Electric vehicle charging adds 250-500 kWh monthly per car.
- Cryptocurrency mining or home servers can consume as much as major appliances.