Total................................................................. 111.1 49.2 15.1 15.6 11.1 7.0 5.2 8.0

Have Cooling Equipment............................... 93.3 31.3 15.1 15.6 11.1 7.0 5.2 8.0

Use Cooling Equipment................................ 91.4 30.4 14.6 15.4 11.1 6.9 5.2 7.9

Have Equipment But Do Not Use it............... 1.9 1.0 0.5 QQQQQ

Do Not Have Cooling Equipment................... 17.8 17.8 NNNNNN

Air-Conditioning Equipment1, 2

Central System............................................. 65.9 3.9 15.1 15.6 11.1 7.0 5.2 8.0

Without a Heat Pump................................ 53.5 3.5 12.9 12.7 8.6 5.5 4.2 6.2

With a Heat Pump..................................... 12.3 0.4 2.2 2.9 2.5 1.5 1.0 1.8

Window/Wall Units........................................ 28.9 27.5 0.5 Q 0.3 Q Q Q

1 Unit......................................................... 14.5 13.5 0.3 Q Q Q N Q

2 Units....................................................... 9.1 8.7 Q N Q N Q Q

3 or More Units.......................................... 5.4 5.3 N Q Q Q N Q

Central Air-Conditioning Usage During 2005

Among Housing Units with Central Systems

Number of Rooms Air-Conditioned

None......................................................... 1.4 0.5 0.5 QQQQQ

1................................................................ 0.7 Q 0.3 Q N Q N N

2................................................................ 2.1 1.0 0.8 Q Q Q N N

3................................................................ 7.5 1.5 4.4 1.2 QQQQ

4................................................................ 7.9 0.4 4.0 2.6 0.6 Q Q Q

5 or More................................................... 46.3 Q 5.0 11.4 10.4 6.6 5.1 7.7

Proportion of Rooms Air-Conditioned

None......................................................... 1.4 0.5 0.5 QQQQQ

Some, But Not All of the Rooms................ 8.4 2.5 3.6 1.5 0.3 Q Q Q

All of the Rooms........................................ 56.1 1.0 11.0 14.0 10.8 6.6 5.1 7.7

Frequency Central Air-Conditioner Used

Never......................................................... 1.4 0.5 0.5 QQQQQ

Only a Few Times..................................... 11.4 0.9 3.1 2.5 1.7 1.2 0.9 1.0

Quite a Bit................................................. 12.6 0.6 2.9 3.0 2.3 1.2 0.8 1.8

All Summer............................................... 40.5 1.8 8.6 9.9 7.1 4.5 3.5 5.1

At Home Behavior

Home Used for Business

Yes........................................................ 6.4 0.3 1.0 1.1 1.1 0.8 0.5 1.5

No.......................................................... 59.5 3.6 14.0 14.5 10.1 6.2 4.7 6.5

Someone Home All Day

Yes........................................................ 32.7 1.8 6.8 8.6 5.7 3.3 2.8 3.8

No.......................................................... 33.1 2.1 8.3 7.0 5.5 3.7 2.4 4.2

2,500 to

2,999

3,000

or More

Table HC1.4 Cooled Floorspace Usage Indicators, 2005

Housing 

Units 

Usage Indicators (millions)

 Million U.S. Housing Units

Cooled Floorspace (square feet)

Fewer

than 500

500 to

999

1,000 to 

1,499

1,500 to

1,999

2,000 to

2,499

Energy Information Administration

2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Preliminary Housing Characteristics Tables
2,500 to

2,999

3,000

or More

Table HC1.4 Cooled Floorspace Usage Indicators, 2005

Housing 

Units 

Usage Indicators (millions)

 Million U.S. Housing Units

Cooled Floorspace (square feet)

Fewer

than 500

500 to

999

1,000 to 

1,499

1,500 to

1,999

2,000 to

2,499

Housing Unit Characteristics Affecting Usage

Among Units Using Central Air-Conditioning

Climate Zone3

Less than 2,000 CDD and--

Greater than 7,000 HDD........................ 4.8 Q 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.5 1.1

5,500 to 7,000 HDD............................... 12.3 0.7 2.6 2.7 2.2 1.2 1.1 1.9

4,000 to 5,499 HDD............................... 15.1 0.6 2.8 3.3 2.4 1.9 1.4 2.6

Less than 4,000 HDD............................. 14.9 1.2 4.3 4.0 2.1 1.3 1.0 1.2

2000 CDD or More and--

Less than 4,000 HDD............................. 18.7 1.2 4.7 4.8 3.8 1.8 1.2 1.2

Large Tree(s) that Shade the Home

Yes............................................................ 31.6 1.8 6.4 7.4 5.7 3.5 2.5 4.4

No............................................................. 34.3 2.1 8.7 8.1 5.4 3.5 2.7 3.7

Adequacy of Insulation

Well Insulated............................................ 29.5 1.5 6.2 6.2 5.1 3.6 2.5 4.5

Adequately Insulated................................. 27.9 1.7 6.2 7.1 4.8 2.8 2.3 3.0

Poorly Insulated......................................... 7.3 0.6 2.3 1.8 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.5

No Insulation............................................. 0.3 QQQQNNN

Don’t Know................................................ 0.9 Q 0.3 0.3 QQQQ

Home is Too Drafty During the Winter

Never......................................................... 42.6 2.5 9.3 9.9 7.7 4.7 3.0 5.5

Some of the Time...................................... 16.3 0.9 3.7 3.9 2.6 1.6 1.6 1.9

Most of the Time....................................... 2.5 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.4 Q Q 0.3

All of the Time........................................... 2.2 0.3 0.8 0.5 QQQQ

Don’t Know................................................ 2.2 Q 0.7 0.5 Q 0.3 Q Q

Unusually High Ceilings

Yes............................................................ 20.3 0.7 3.3 2.9 3.7 3.2 2.3 4.3

No............................................................. 41.9 2.7 10.3 11.3 7.3 3.7 2.9 3.7

Not Asked (Mobile Homes)........................ 3.7 0.5 1.5 1.3 Q Q Q N

Cathedral Ceilings

(In Housing Units with High Ceilings)

Yes.................................................... 13.5 0.5 2.2 1.8 2.5 2.2 1.4 3.0

No...................................................... 6.7 Q 1.1 1.1 1.2 0.9 0.9 1.2

Type of Glass in Windows

Single-pane Glass..................................... 27.4 2.4 8.1 7.4 4.3 2.3 1.3 1.6

Double-pane Glass

Without Low-e Coating........................... 31.5 1.1 6.2 7.2 5.4 3.6 3.1 4.9

With Low-e Coating............................... 5.8 0.4 0.7 0.8 1.1 1.0 0.7 1.1

Triple-pane Glass

Without Low-e Coating........................... 0.8 QQQQQQQ

With Low-e Coating............................... Q N N Q Q Q N Q

Proportion of Original Windows Replaced

All.............................................................. 11.5 0.5 2.1 2.9 2.3 1.3 1.0 1.5

Some......................................................... 11.1 0.8 2.2 2.3 2.2 1.3 0.9 1.4

None......................................................... 40.9 2.5 9.8 9.7 6.4 4.2 3.3 5.0

Energy Information Administration

2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Preliminary Housing Characteristics Tables
2,500 to

2,999

3,000

or More

Table HC1.4 Cooled Floorspace Usage Indicators, 2005

Housing 

Units 

Usage Indicators (millions)

 Million U.S. Housing Units

Cooled Floorspace (square feet)

Fewer

than 500

500 to

999

1,000 to 

1,499

1,500 to

1,999

2,000 to

2,499

Thermostats

Thermostat Available During Summer

Yes............................................................ 63.9 3.5 14.6 15.2 10.8 6.8 5.1 7.8

No............................................................. 1.9 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.3 Q Q Q

Have a Programmable Thermostat.........

Yes........................................................ 25.0 1.2 4.6 5.2 4.9 2.8 2.2 4.2

No.......................................................... 38.9 2.3 10.0 10.0 6.0 4.1 2.9 3.6

Use of Programmable Thermostats

Reduces Temperature During Day

Yes........................................................ 15.1 0.7 2.6 3.4 3.0 1.7 1.2 2.6

No.......................................................... 9.9 0.5 2.0 1.8 1.9 1.1 1.0 1.6

Reduces Temperature at Night

Yes........................................................ 15.4 0.7 2.8 3.2 3.0 1.9 1.3 2.7

No.......................................................... 9.6 0.5 1.8 2.0 1.9 0.9 1.0 1.5

Do Not Use Central Air-Conditioning...... 45.2 45.2 NNNNNN

Summer 2005 Temperature Settings

Higher Temperature Settings

Daytime When No One is at Home

Yes........................................................ 0.5 QQQQQNQ

No.......................................................... 50.8 2.3 10.7 12.4 9.1 5.5 4.2 6.7

Unknown................................................ 14.5 1.6 4.2 3.1 1.9 1.4 1.0 1.3

Do Not Use Central Air-Conditioning...... 45.2 45.2 NNNNNN

During Sleeping Hours

Yes........................................................ 7.3 0.3 1.3 1.6 1.4 1.0 0.7 1.0

No.......................................................... 44.3 2.0 9.7 10.9 7.8 4.6 3.5 5.8

Unknown................................................ 14.2 1.6 4.1 3.0 1.9 1.4 1.0 1.2

Do Not Use Central Air-Conditioning...... 45.2 45.2 NNNNNN

Daytime Setting When Someone is at Home

Air Conditioner Turned On......................... 52.0 2.4 11.1 12.6 9.3 5.7 4.2 6.8

69 Degrees or Less............................... 4.8 Q 1.4 1.2 0.8 0.4 0.5 0.3

70 Degrees............................................ 7.2 0.3 1.6 1.8 1.3 0.7 0.7 0.7

71 to 73 Degrees................................... 8.8 0.4 1.8 1.7 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.6

74 to 76 Degrees................................... 16.5 0.7 3.5 4.3 3.0 1.8 0.9 2.3

77 to 79 Degrees................................... 11.1 0.6 2.0 2.7 2.4 1.3 0.9 1.3

80 Degrees or More............................... 3.7 0.3 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.4 Q 0.6

Don't Know/No Answer.......................... 1.1 Q 0.4 0.4 QQQQ

Do Not Use Central Air Conditioning......... 45.2 45.2 NNNNNN

Setting When No One is at Home

Air Conditioner Turned On......................... 49.5 2.3 10.0 12.1 9.1 5.4 4.1 6.6

69 Degrees or Less............................... 3.6 Q 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3

70 Degrees............................................ 5.2 0.3 1.1 1.4 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.5

71 to 73 Degrees................................... 6.0 Q 1.2 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.6 1.0

74 to 76 Degrees................................... 13.8 0.7 2.6 3.8 2.4 1.3 1.1 1.9

77 to 79 Degrees................................... 10.7 0.4 1.8 2.4 2.5 1.3 0.8 1.5

80 Degrees or More............................... 10.2 0.6 2.2 2.3 1.9 1.2 0.7 1.3

Don't Know/No Answer.......................... 1.6 Q 0.6 0.5 QQQQ

Air-Conditioner Turned Off......................... 2.0 Q 0.8 0.4 QQQQ

Do Not Use Central Air Conditioning......... 45.2 45.2 NNNNNN

Energy Information Administration

2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Preliminary Housing Characteristics Tables
2,500 to

2,999

3,000

or More

Table HC1.4 Cooled Floorspace Usage Indicators, 2005

Housing 

Units 

Usage Indicators (millions)

 Million U.S. Housing Units

Cooled Floorspace (square feet)

Fewer

than 500

500 to

999

1,000 to 

1,499

1,500 to

1,999

2,000 to

2,499

Setting During Sleeping Hours

Air Conditioner Turned On......................... 51.0 2.3 10.7 12.4 9.2 5.6 4.1 6.7

69 Degrees or Less............................... 5.7 Q 1.6 1.4 1.1 0.5 0.5 0.5

70 Degrees............................................ 7.7 0.4 1.8 2.1 1.3 0.7 0.7 0.7

71 to 73 Degrees................................... 8.3 0.3 1.7 1.7 1.2 1.0 0.9 1.5

74 to 76 Degrees................................... 15.5 0.8 3.1 3.6 2.8 1.8 1.1 2.1

77 to 79 Degrees................................... 9.7 0.4 1.7 2.4 2.0 1.2 0.7 1.2

80 Degrees or More............................... 4.1 Q 0.8 1.2 0.7 0.4 Q 0.6

Don't Know/No Answer.......................... 1.3 Q 0.4 0.3 QQQQ

Air-Conditioner Turned Off......................... 0.8 Q 0.3 QQQQQ

Do Not Use Central Air Conditioning......... 45.2 45.2 NNNNNN

Dehumidifier Use Each Year

Use a Humidifier........................................... 13.3 4.7 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 2.0

1 to 3 Months Each Year........................... 5.1 2.0 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6

4 to 6 Months Each Year........................... 4.4 1.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.6

7 to 9 Months Each Year........................... 0.9 QQQQQQQ

10 to 11 months........................................ Q Q NNNNQQ

Turned on All Year Long............................ 2.6 0.8 Q 0.3 0.3 Q Q 0.5

Do Not Use a Dehumidifier............................ 97.8 44.5 13.8 14.1 9.8 5.7 3.9 6.0

Window/Wall Air Conditioners

Window/Wall Air-Conditioning Use

Never......................................................... 0.6 0.5 QQQQNN

Only a Few Times..................................... 12.1 11.5 QQQQNQ

Quite a Bit................................................. 7.5 7.1 QQQQQQ

All Summer............................................... 8.6 8.3 Q N Q Q N Q

Energy Star Wall/Window (Most-Used) Unit

Yes............................................................ 4.6 4.2 QQQQNQ

No............................................................. 2.7 2.4 QQQQQQ

Don't Know................................................ 7.0 6.9 Q NNNNN

Unit is More Than 4 Years Old.................. 14.6 13.9 QQQQNQ

Swamp Cooler (Asked Only In Arid Areas)

Yes............................................................... 3.4 2.7 QQQQNQ

No................................................................. 41.9 17.2 7.4 6.3 4.6 2.5 1.9 2.0

Not Asked..................................................... 65.8 29.3 7.5 9.1 6.4 4.4 3.3 5.9

 1. In the 2005 RECS 1.5 million housing units reported having both central and window/wall air conditioners.

 2. The number of housing units using air-conditioning includes a small, undetermined number of housing units where the fuel for central airconditioning was some fuel other than electricity; these housing units were treated as if the air-conditioning fuel was electricity.

 3. One of five climatically distinct areas, determined according to the 30-year average (1971-2000) of the annual heating and cooling degreedays. A household is assigned to a climate zone according to the 30-year average annual degree-days for an appropriate nearby weather station.

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 10 households were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See Glossary for definition of terms used in these tables.

 Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 A, B, C of the 2005 

Residential Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration

2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Preliminary Housing Characteristics Tables