What’s New in How We Use  

Energy at Home:

Results from EIA’s 2015 Residential

Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)

Released: May 2017

Revised: May 2018

Independent Statistics & Analysis 

www.eia.gov

U.S. Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS i

This report was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and

analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analyses, and forecasts are

independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government. The views

in this report therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy

or other federal agencies.
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 2

This report highlights findings from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2015 RECS, which

collected information about energy characteristics from a representative sample of U.S. households.

More details about energy‐consuming equipment and behavior in the residential sector are available in

the household characteristics tables. This report was updated in May 2018 to reflect revised data.

Households account for 55% of the energy used in buildings in the United States. In order to understand

how energy is consumed in U.S. homes, EIA conducts a detailed study of household energy use. Results

from the most recent study, the 2015 RECS, describe the characteristics that contribute to energy

consumption in homes today and highlight the variability in the way energy is used across the nation’s

118.2 million households.1

  

The way households use energy varies by geographic location, structural features, equipment choices,

and energy sources used. Electric heat pumps, for example, are well‐suited for heating in areas where

winters are relatively mild. Of the 11.8 million households in 2015 that used electric heat pumps, 8.4

million (71%) were in the South. The high cost of electric heating in colder climates has often limited the

use of heat pumps and other electric equipment in those areas. Population movement to warmer

climates has also increased household use of air conditioning. In 2015, more than 76 million households

(64%) used a central air‐conditioning system, an increase from less than 66 million households (59%) in

2005. Space conditioning (heating and air conditioning) accounts for about half of all energy consumed

in the residential sector.

The 2015 RECS household survey included more than 200 questions about space heating, air

conditioning, water heating, appliances, electronics, and structural features. In addition to devices and

fuels, the survey included demographic and behavioral questions that help explain energy usage

differences among households. The 2015 RECS household survey also added questions to reflect

changes in home energy use, including new questions about light emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) and smart

thermostats.  

                                                            

1 This iteration of the RECS represents energy characteristics and usage data for the 118.2 million occupied, primary 

housing units in 2015 as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. RECS excludes vacant, 

seasonal or vacation homes, and group quarters such as prisons, military barracks, dormitories, and nursing homes. 
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 3

Location and structural features that affect energy use vary 

according to age of the home 

Results from the 2015 RECS illustrate unique energy characteristics of the nation’s housing stock,

including the newest homes. The current stock of occupied housing units includes nearly 21 million

homes built from 2000 to 2015.

The Hot‐Humid climate zone, which stretches from Florida to southeastern Texas, has seen a surge in

new home construction over the past few decades, particularly compared to the rate of construction in

colder areas. While all homes in the Hot‐Humid zone make up 19% of all U.S. households, nearly 28% of

homes built since 2000 are in that area. Given the warmer weather and predominance of the use of

electricity in home cooling, average household electricity consumption is higher in that climate zone

than in other areas of the country.  

Note: The 2015 RECS used climate zones as defined by Building America. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Before 1960 1960 to 1979 1980 to 1999 2000 to 2015

Cold/Very Cold Mixed-dry/Hot-dry Hot-Humid Marine Mixed-Humid

Figure 1. New homes are less likely to be in colder areas

Percentage of homes by climate region

cold / very cold

hot‐humid

mixed

humid

mixed‐dry

hot‐dry

marine
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 4

No matter where they are located, new homes are characterized by different structural features than

older homes. According to the 2015 RECS, more than half of all new homes had high ceilings, compared

with 30% of homes built before 2000.2 High ceilings tend to increase heating loads. At the same time,

double‐ and triple‐pane windows, which reduce the loss of heated and cooled air, were also more

prevalent in new homes.

Note: High ceilings share excludes mobile homes, which were not asked about ceiling height. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey 

   

                                                            

2 The determination of whether a house has any high ceilings was made by respondents answering the 

question, “Most ceilings are about 8 feet high which is about a foot higher than a standard door. Are any 

of the ceilings in your home unusually high?”

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Before 1960 1960 to 1979 1980 to 1999 2000 to 2015

Figure 2. Newer homes are more likely to have high ceilings and more efficient windows

Percentage of homes 

High ceilings

Double- or triple-pane windows
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 5

How does EIA collect data from more than 5,600 U.S. households?

For the 2015 RECS, the 14th iteration of the study, EIA selected households to survey using a multi‐stage,

area probability sample design. The list of housing units EIA used to select the sample (the “frame”) is

constructed almost entirely from a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) address list. Trained staff completed the

frame by visiting selected areas and listing housing units that are missing from the USPS list. This design

ensures that all occupied housing units in the United States have a chance of being selected. The final

sample for the 2015 RECS was designed to allow EIA to produce estimates of energy consumption for

the United States as a whole, for each Census Region, and for Census Divisions. The sample design and

sample size did not allow EIA to produce estimates for individual states.

A total of 5,686 households participated in the 2015 RECS household survey. EIA collected information

using either an in‐person interview conducted by field staff, a self‐administered online questionnaire, or

a self‐administered paper survey. Each approach to answering the survey delivers results of comparable

quality. Most responses (57%) were from the online or paper surveys and the 2015 RECS is the first time

EIA has used online and paper questionnaires extensively. More details about how EIA conducted the

2015 RECS are available in the Technical Documentation Summary.  

RECS is a multi‐year effort consisting of the household survey phase, data collection from household

energy suppliers, and end‐use consumption and expenditures estimation. The supplier data collection

phase ended in February 2017. EIA will use the household characteristics data and the supplier billing

data to model energy end‐use consumption and expenditure estimates for housing units.  
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 6

Most households use more than one fuel 

Many U.S. households rely on a variety of sources to meet their home energy needs. In 2015, 75% of

U.S. households used more than one source of energy: 66% used electricity and one other fuel and 9%

used three or more sources. A quarter of households used only electricity. The combination of energy

sources used in households takes many forms, from widespread use of natural gas and petroleum fuels

in cold regions to less frequent use of wood in a fireplace as a secondary heat source. When classifying

homes by type of construction, single‐family detached homes were the least likely to be all electric (18%

in 2015), while mobile homes were the most likely (44% in 2015).  

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

199320052015 199320052015 199320052015 199320052015 199320052015

Electricity only Electricity and one other fuel Electricity and two or more other fuels

All U.S. homes Northeast Midwest West South

Figure 3. The proportion of all-electric homes is rising, primarily in the South Census 

region

Percentage of homes by number of fuels used in the home by survey year

Did you know?

The 2015 RECS asked respondents about the availability of natural gas in their neighborhoods. Natural

gas was accessible to 82 million homes. Of those who had access to it, 84% of households actually used

natural gas.
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 7

Electric space heating is becoming more common 

Trends in space heating are partly responsible for the increase in all‐electric homes in the United States.

In 2015, electricity was used as the main source of energy for space heating in 36% of homes that were

heated, an increase from 2009 that continues a long‐term trend.. Natural gas continued to be the most

common energy source for main space heating at 51% of heated homes in 2015. The proportion of

heated homes using propane (4%) was one percentage point lower than 2009.

Types of energy used for main space heating vary by region. In the South Census region, where winters

tend to be milder and homes do not require as much heat to reach a comfortable temperature,

electricity was the most commonly used main space heating source. In the other three regions, natural

gas was the dominant energy used for main space heating. Fuel oil was used very little, except in the

Northeast, where it was used in 23% of heated homes in 2015. Even there, the share of heated homes

using fuel oil decreased, down from 29% of homes in 2009.  

Note: Fuel oil includes homes that used kerosene. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Figure 4. Natural gas is the most-used heating fuel in heated homes in three of four 

Census regions

Main space heating fuel by Census region
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 8

In addition to the energy source, the 2015 RECS asked respondents about the types of equipment used

for main space heating. Across all housing types, central warm‐air furnaces were the most common in

the United States. Built‐in electric units and steam or hot water systems, which use a central boiler to

heat water that is circulated through radiators, were more prevalent in apartments than in other

housing types. Mobile homes accounted for the widest use of portable electric heaters as main space

heating equipment.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

A new question on the 2015 RECS household survey captured how respondents interact with their main

space heating equipment controls. The most common behavior was to set the heating equipment at one

temperature and leave it there most of the time, occurring in 40% of heated homes. Other households

adjusted the temperature of their home based on the time of day or occupancy, either by manually

adjusting the temperature (26% of heated homes), by programming a thermostat to adjust the

temperature (17% of heated homes), or by turning the equipment on and off as needed (15% of heated

homes). During the winter, the mean daytime temperature when homes were occupied was 70.0

degrees. Respondents kept their homes slightly cooler when no one was home and at night, when the

mean reported temperature settings were 67.1 and 68.1 degrees, respectively.   

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

All U.S. homes Single-family

detached

Single-family

attached

Apartment

buildings with

2-4 units

Apartment

buildings with

5+ units

Mobile homes

Central warm-air furnace Heat pump Steam or hot water system

Built-in electric units Portable electric heaters Other equipment

Figure 5. Central furnaces are the most popular type of main heating equipment

Percentage of heated homes by housing type
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 9

Nationwide, 38% of all heated homes used at least one other form of heating equipment in addition to

their main heat source. Portable electric heaters were the most commonly reported equipment, used in

46% of homes that have secondary heating.

Note: Data may not sum to total because of rounding. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Portable electric 

heaters, 46%

Natural gas 

fireplace, 14%

Wood-burning 

fireplace, 12%

Wood-burning

stove, 9%

Other equipment, 

19%

Figure 6. Portable electric heaters are the most common type of secondary heating 

equipment

Percentage of homes with secondary heating equipment
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 10

Use of air conditioning continues to grow 

The share of homes in the United States using air conditioning continued to increase in 2015, reaching

87% nationwide. Use of both central air‐conditioning equipment and individual units, whether portable

or installed in windows or walls, increased in 2015 compared to 2009. The share of air‐conditioned

homes with central equipment has remained relatively consistent since 2001,  while the choice to use

individual units has varied more from survey to survey. Individual air‐conditioning units can be added or

removed more easily than central equipment.

Note: Some homes have more than one type of air-conditioning equipment. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Although central air‐conditioning equipment has become more common in homes overall, newly‐

constructed homes drove the growth. Across all four Census regions, 86% of homes built since 2000

65%

71%

72%

74%

74%

35%

29%

32%

28%

31%

1997

2001

2005

2009

2015

Figure 7. Use of less permanent air conditioning units varies from year to year

Percentage of cooled homes by equipment type by survey year

Share of cooled homes using

central air conditioning

Share of cooled homes 

using individual units
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 11

have central air conditioning.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

How U.S. households control their air conditioning varies greatly by the type of equipment. Of

households with central air conditioning in 2015, 18% programed their thermostat to automatically

adjust the temperature. As with heating equipment, the most common behavior reported for central

air‐conditioning systems was to “set one temperature and leave it there most of the time.” For

individual units, the most frequent behavior was to turn the equipment on and off as needed (46% of all

homes with window or wall units).  

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Northeast Midwest South West

Before 1960 1960 to 1979 1980 to 1999 2000 or later

Figure 8. Most newer homes have central air conditioning

Percentage of homes by year built
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 12

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

 

31%

45%

18%

26%

5%

18%

46%

12%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Window/wall air conditioning

Central air conditioning

Set at one temperature Manually adjust Program thermostat Turn on/off as needed

Figure 9. Households use central and individual air conditioning differently

Air conditioning usage behavior in homes
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 13

Number of homes with a second refrigerator continues to rise 

Refrigerators have been reported in nearly 100% of U.S. households since the first RECS in 1978, but the

number of homes with more than one refrigerator has increased dramatically over time. From 1978 to

1997, the percentage of households with a second refrigerator was between 12% and 15% in every

survey cycle. That percentage doubled to 30% of all housing units in 2015.  

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

   

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

1978 1980 1982 1984 1987 1990 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2015

Figure 10. The number of households with a second refrigerator continues to increase 

Percentage of homes by survey year
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 14

Eighty‐six percent of second refrigerators were in single‐family detached houses. The number of rooms

in the home is directly related to having a second refrigerator. Households with only one refrigerator

reported an average of 5.5 rooms, while households with two refrigerators reported an average of 7.3

rooms. Higher income levels are also correlated with the number of refrigerators in a home.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

5.5 

7.3 

8.2 

9.1 

 -

 1

 2

 3

 4

 5

 6

 7

 8

 9

 10

1 refrigerator 2 refrigerators 3 refrigerators 4 or more refrigerators

Figure 11. Larger homes tend to have more refrigerators

Average number of rooms
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 15

Many homes have, but do not use, a dishwasher 

The 2015 RECS questionnaire was updated to capture major appliances that are installed in homes but

not used. Compared with clothes washers, dryers, and cooking appliances, dishwashers were by far the

most unused device in homes. Of the 79.7 million U.S. households that had a dishwasher, 20% (16.0

million), never used it. As a result, only 54% of all households in 2015 actually had and used a

dishwasher. About 25% of the households that owned a dishwasher but did not use it were in

apartments in buildings with five or more units.  

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Households are consuming information and entertainment through 

a variety of electronics 

Household electronics technology has continued to advance rapidly, and the RECS questionnaire has

changed as well. As recently as 1990, RECS questions concerning electronics were limited to two

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Dishwasher Clothes Dryer Clothes

Washer

Stove Microwave

Do not have the

appliance

Have but do not

use the appliance

Have and use the

appliance

Figure 12. Dishwashers are the most frequently unused appliance

Percentage of homes
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 16

questions about televisions and a single question about computers. The 2015 RECS included 25 items

relating to information and entertainment devices in the home, making it one of the largest sections of

the questionnaire.  

The pace of computer saturation in the United States over the past 20 years has been dramatic. In 1990,

just 16% of households owned a computer. In 2015, 78% of all households owned at least one computer

and 43% owned more than one. For the first time, the 2015 RECS also asked about tablets. Tablets, as

well as smartphones, have evolved as substitutes for some features of desktops and laptops. Ninety

percent of homes had at least one desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, and 79% have more than

one.  The energy use of tablets and smart phones is less than desktop or laptop computers.

Although U.S. homes have an increasing number of computers, the number of televisions per home is

declining. In 2015, homes had an average of 2.3 televisions, down from an average of 2.6 televisions per

home in 2009. More than twice as many households reported not using a television in 2015 compared

to 2009. The number of homes with three or more televisions declined as well.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

New lighting questions capture total number of bulbs and 

penetration of LEDs 

To more accurately reflect the new lighting products available to households, the 2015 RECS lighting

section was significantly updated. The major trend in U.S. household lighting has been the shift from

1.3% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 2.8%

69%

63%

56% 54%

59%

30%

36%

43% 44%

39%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

1997 2001 2005 2009 2015

Figure 13. Larger share of households report not using a television

Percentage of homes by survey year

no television

one or two televisions

three or more televisions
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 17

less‐efficient lighting—primarily incandescent bulbs—to more energy‐efficient lighting—including

compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diode bulbs (LEDs).  

In 2009, only 58% of U.S. households reported any indoor energy‐efficient bulbs in use for at least one

hour per day. The 2015 RECS found that 81% of all households reported having at least one CFL

installed, and 29% of all households reported at least one LED installed. Only 11% of households

reported that all of their light bulbs are incandescent, while 18% reported no incandescent light bulbs.

Note: Detail may not sum to 100% due to rounding. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

   

11%

10%

1%

71%

71%

28%

18%

19%

71%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Incandescent

CFL

LED

All bulbs in the home are this type

Some bulbs in the home are this type

No bulbs in the home are this type

Figure 14. Most households have a mix of lightbulbs installed

Percentage of homes
U.S. Energy Information Administration   |   Results from the 2015 RECS 18

Sixty percent of U.S. homes had 20 or more light bulbs installed. Thirty‐five percent of homes had

between 20 and 39 light bulbs installed, but 25% had 40 or more light bulbs installed in the home.

Although many of these bulbs are not used frequently, the average household reported using more than

seven bulbs at least four hours per day. As one would expect, the number of bulbs in use increases as

the number of rooms in the housing unit increases—the average number of rooms in homes that

reported fewer than 20 bulbs was 4.5, while the average number of rooms in homes that use 80 bulbs or

more was 9.5.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Additional detail on the structure and content of U.S. homes is available in the housing characteristics

tables of the 2015 RECS. Energy consumption and expenditures tables, including consumption per

household and detailed end‐use estimates, are also available. A public‐use microdata file is available for

more detailed analysis.

0

10

20

30

40

50

All U.S. homes Single-family

detached

Single-family

attached

Apartments in

buildings with 2-

4 units

Apartments in

buildings with

5+ units

Mobile homes

Fewer than 20 20 to 39 40 to 59 60 to 79 80 or more

Figure 15. Single-family homes have more light bulbs

Millions of homes