Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)
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Heating and cooling no longer majority of U.S. home energy use
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State fact sheets on household energy use
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Newer U.S. homes are 30% larger but consume about as much energy as old
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Watch a video about changes in home heating ›
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Energy consumption per home has steadily declined over the last three decades
Methodology
An Assessment of Interval Data and Their Potential Application to Residential Electricity End-Use Modeling
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is investigating the potential benefits of incorporating interval electricity data into its residential energy end use models.
How does EIA estimate energy consumption and end uses in U.S. homes?
EIA administers the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to a nationally representative sample of housing units. Specially trained interviewers collect energy characteristics on the housing unit, usage patterns, and household demographics.
End-use model methodology FAQs
An overview of questions on how end-use models and equations disaggregate household total fuel consumption.
Where does RECS square footage data come from?
The size of a home is a fixed characteristic strongly associated with the amount of energy consumed within it, particularly for space heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other appliances.
An Assessment of EIA's Building Consumption Data
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) routinely uses feedback from customers and outside experts to help improve its programs and products.
Features
Heating and cooling no longer majority of U.S. home energy use
Release Date: March 7, 2013
For decades, space heating and cooling (space conditioning) accounted for more than half of all residential energy consumption. Estimates from the most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), show that 48% of energy consumption in U.S. homes in 2009 was for heating and cooling, down from 58% in 1993.
Newer U.S. homes are 30% larger but consume about as much energy as old
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Analysis from EIA's most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) shows that U.S. homes built in 2000 and later consume only 2% more energy on average than homes built prior to 2000, despite being on average 30% larger.
RECS data show decreased energy consumption per household
Release Date: June 6, 2012
Total United States energy consumption in homes has remained relatively stable for many years as increased energy efficiency has offset the increase in the number and average size of housing units, according to the from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS).
The impact of increasing home size on energy demand
Release Date: April 19, 2012
Homes built since 1990 are on average 27% larger than homes built in earlier decades, a significant trend because most energy end-uses are correlated with the size of the home.
Did you know that air conditioning is in nearly 100 million U.S. homes?
Release Date: August 19, 2011
The latest results from the 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) show that 87 percent of U.S. households are now equipped with AC. This growth occurred among all housing types and in every Census region. Wider use has coincided with much improved energy efficiency standards for AC equipment, a population shift to hotter and more humid regions, and a housing boom during which average housing sizes increased.
RECS Status
Winter residential electricity consumption expected to increase from last winter
December 12, 2016
Thanksgiving holiday causes unique electricity usage patterns across the country
December 5, 2016
Residential heating oil and propane prices at levels similar to last winter’s low prices
November 17, 2016