Electricity Usage: How Much Energy Does An Average House Use in America

How much energy does an average house use in America? According to the US Energy Information Administration, the average household electricity usage is 899 kWh per month.

However, if the power consumption in your household is above that number, no need to fret either, because the energy consumption of a house can vary significantly based on numerous factors. These factors include home appliance usage, lifestyle choices, the number of individuals, and various other variables. Read on to learn how they contribute to the overall daily energy usage, and how to calculate the electricity consumption of your house and save on energy usage. 

How Many Watts Does a House Use Per Day, Month, and Year?

The average energy consumption per household is around 800 to 1,000 kilowatts-hour per month, totaling approximately 9,600 to 12,000 kWh annually. When divided by the number of days in a year, this translates to an average daily energy consumption of about 26 to 33 kWh. 

The average electricity rate in the US is about 16.6 cents per kWh, so, for a daily 26 to 33 kWh energy use, the electricity bill should be $4.32 to $5.48 per day, $132.8 to $166 per month, and $1593.6 to $1992 per year.

As mentioned earlier, the energy use of a house is affected by household appliances, house locations, the number of people, and more. Among them, household appliances may stand out as the most important factor because all other aspects can determine how we use the appliances. For example, a small family of 3 living in New York will usually spend less on washing machine electricity bills than a large family of 8. Or, a family of 4 in Florida will save more on central air-conditioning heating than they are in Alaska in winter. So, to get a gist of how much energy each of your house appliances needs to run, let’s keep reading.

Power Consumption of Household Appliances

We'll break down common appliance categories, look at what uses the most energy in your home, and calculate energy use costs.

Heating and Cooling Devices

Heating and cooling devices are usually the most consuming devices in a household. For instance, if your house is in North Dakota or Wyoming, which has the coldest weather, your usage of kWh can significantly increase with continuous air conditioning to maintain a comfortable environment. 

A typical 3000 W air-conditioning unit operating for up to 8 hours may consume around 24 kWh per day, accounting for nearly half of the average power usage. Similarly, space heaters running at 1500 watts can consume comparable or even higher amounts of energy during winter than cooling equipment.

Laundry Equipment

Washing machines and dryers can also significantly increase your energy consumption if you have multiple family members regularly using them. For instance, a 45-minute drying cycle with a 5000W clothes dryer can consume a staggering 3.5 kWh of electricity, costing approximately 33.60 cents for a single cycle.

Lighting Options

Don’t underestimate light bulbs. A single 100-watt light bulb, for example, can consume 1 kWh of electricity per day. While it may not seem like much, the cumulative effect can be significant if multiple light bulbs are turned on all day in all places. Therefore, be sure to shut down any unused light sources to save energy.

Entertainment Systems for the Home

Your home entertainment system may consume more kWh than you anticipate. For example, a gaming computer can consume anywhere from 300-500W electricity per hour. Using it for 8 hours a day will consume 2.4 to 4 kWh per day.

To determine how much energy does an average house use, you may refer to the below calculation method (16.6 cents per 1 kWh): 

Tips for Saving Household Electricity

Here are some useful tips on how you can start conserving energy in order to save more money.

Replace Appliances with Energy-Efficient Appliances

Switch appliances that bear the yellow ENERGY STAR® label. These appliances are designed to consume less energy compared to other models. By choosing ENERGY STAR® certified appliances, you can reduce energy consumption and lower electricity bills while promoting environmental sustainability.

Make Sure Insulation of the Roof and Windows

The construction materials used in your home can indeed impact the amount of power consumed each month. Older homes, in particular, may be built with materials that allow hot or cold air to enter or escape easily, resulting in higher heating or cooling costs. Poor insulation or inefficient windows and doors can lead to energy wastage, requiring more power to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. 

Insulating your entire house from the roof can lead to substantial annual savings. Proper insulation helps create a more energy-efficient home by reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Consider Solar Generator

Solar generators are versatile devices that capture and store solar energy during power outages or other times of need. They are environmentally friendly and contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. Moreover, they are self-sufficient, meaning they do not require any fuel, thus minimizing the overall cost of ownership. Additionally, they are portable, enabling users to use them for various applications such as powering up RVs, camping trips, outdoor events, and remote job sites. Take Anker Solar Generator 757 as an example. It offers multiple AC outlets, 12V DC output, and USB ports, enabling simultaneous powering of various devices. 

Furthermore, solar generators operate silently, providing a peaceful environment while generating power. In spite of their comparatively high upfront cost ranging from $1,500 to $6,000, they are cost-effective in the long run.

Final Thoughts

At this point, you should already know how much energy does an average house use. A household typically consumes approximately 800 to 1,000 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of monthly electricity. To save more energy, you can start by switching appliances to energy-efficient ones with ENERGY STAR® labels. You can also consider using a solar generator because it can save money and serve as a backup during power outages.

FAQs

How many kW to run a house?

A typical single-family home uses 15-40 kW of power capacity, with an average consumption of 1-2 kW at any given moment. Daily usage typically ranges from 20-30 kWh. Actual needs vary based on house size, climate, appliances, and usage patterns.

How many kilowatts does a 1500 sq ft, 2000 sq ft, and 3000 sq ft house use per day?

Average daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage by house size is as follows:

• 1500 sq ft: 30-40 kWh per day
• 2000 sq ft: 40-50 kWh per day
• 3000 sq ft: 50-70 kWh per day

These figures vary significantly based on the climate zone, insulation quality, used appliances, occupants’ number, and usage habits.

Is 40 kWh per day a lot?

40 kWh per day is above average for US households. The average U.S. household uses about 20-30 kWh daily. A daily consumption of 40 kWh could indicate heavy appliance use or inefficient energy practices, especially in larger homes or those with pools or electric heating systems.