Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 123.53 33.59 45.31 18.27 15.56 10.81

Space heating equipment

Uses space heating equipment 117.74 31.74 43.65 17.53 14.81 10.01

Has space heating equipment but 

does not use it 3.92 1.34 1.28 0.45 0.35 0.49

Does not have space heating 

equipment 1.87 0.50 0.38 0.29 0.39 0.31

Main heating fuel and equipment

Natural gas 62.71 15.81 22.92 9.74 8.60 5.65

Central warm-air furnace 53.26 12.70 19.82 8.38 7.48 4.87

Steam or hot water system 6.51 2.24 2.22 0.85 0.81 0.39

Built-in room heater 2.77 0.83 0.81 0.48 0.26 0.39

Some other equipment 0.18 0.04 0.06 Q Q Q

Electricity 42.57 12.94 15.41 5.91 4.85 3.47

Central warm-air furnace 13.82 3.99 4.48 2.27 1.80 1.29

Heat pump 16.13 4.15 6.65 2.15 1.84 1.34

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 1.06 0.31 0.40 0.12 0.13 0.11

Built-in electric units 7.65 3.43 2.53 0.83 0.55 0.31

Portable electric heaters 3.03 0.80 0.99 0.46 0.42 0.36

Some other equipment 0.89 0.27 0.36 0.08 0.12 0.06

Fuel oil or kerosene 4.93 1.33 1.87 0.79 0.60 0.34

Central warm-air furnace 3.10 0.79 1.23 0.47 0.40 0.21

Steam or hot water system 1.62 0.49 0.57 0.29 0.16 0.11

Some other equipment 0.21 0.05 0.06 Q 0.04 Q

Propane 5.21 1.28 2.29 0.74 0.48 0.41

Central warm-air furnace 4.03 0.93 1.76 0.62 0.38 0.35

Some other equipment 1.18 0.35 0.54 0.13 0.10 0.07

Wood 2.25 0.37 1.12 0.35 0.27 0.13

Heating stove 1.94 0.34 0.95 0.29 0.25 0.11

Some other equipment 0.31 Q 0.17 Q Q Q

Some other fuelb Q Q Q Q N N

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household members, 2020

Number of housing units (million)

Number of household members
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 123.53 33.59 45.31 18.27 15.56 10.81

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household members, 2020

Number of housing units (million)

Number of household members

Main heating equipment (including 

all fuels)

Central warm-air furnace 74.42 18.44 27.40 11.77 10.07 6.74

Heat pump 16.13 4.15 6.65 2.15 1.84 1.34

Steam or hot water system 9.29 3.06 3.28 1.26 1.09 0.59

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 1.06 0.31 0.40 0.12 0.13 0.11

Built-in electric units 7.65 3.43 2.53 0.83 0.55 0.31

Built-in oil or gas room heater 3.49 1.05 1.12 0.56 0.33 0.43

Portable electric heaters 3.03 0.80 0.99 0.46 0.42 0.36

Heating stove burning wood 1.94 0.34 0.95 0.29 0.25 0.11

Some other equipment 0.74 0.18 0.33 0.08 0.12 Q

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Main heating equipment age

Less than 2 years old 13.29 2.98 5.01 2.14 1.82 1.34

2 to 4 years old 17.19 3.94 6.72 2.59 2.31 1.63

5 to 9 years old 26.77 7.06 9.86 3.96 3.52 2.37

10 to 14 years old 22.29 5.86 8.17 3.20 3.01 2.04

15 to 19 years old 14.66 4.10 5.49 2.34 1.65 1.07

20 or more years old 23.54 7.80 8.39 3.31 2.49 1.55

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Has thermostat

Yes 109.45 28.85 40.83 16.30 13.97 9.49

Smart or internet-connected 

thermostat 12.78 1.53 4.65 2.51 2.65 1.44

Programmable thermostat 52.59 12.90 20.07 7.83 6.89 4.90

Non-programmable thermostat 44.08 14.42 16.12 5.97 4.43 3.15

No 12.73 4.16 4.18 1.80 1.43 1.16

Does not use heating or airconditioning equipment 1.35 0.58 0.30 0.16 0.15 0.16

Main heating equipment control

Sets one temperature and leaves it 

there most of the time 50.69 14.33 17.99 7.43 6.25 4.68

Manually adjusts the temperature 31.04 9.20 11.70 4.53 3.39 2.22

Programmable or smart thermostat 

automatically adjusts the 

temperature 19.79 2.95 8.18 3.35 3.42 1.90

Turns equipment on or off as needed 12.06 4.01 4.31 1.58 1.28 0.88

Household does not have control over 

the equipment 3.91 1.17 1.38 0.64 0.44 0.29

Controls heating equipment in some 

other way 0.24 0.08 0.08 Q Q Q

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 123.53 33.59 45.31 18.27 15.56 10.81

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household members, 2020

Number of housing units (million)

Number of household members

Secondary heating fuel and 

equipment

Uses secondary heating equipment 51.80 11.41 20.20 8.34 7.09 4.75

Natural gas 7.88 1.46 3.19 1.19 1.27 0.77

Fireplace 6.94 1.25 2.79 1.01 1.17 0.72

Some other equipment 0.94 0.21 0.40 0.18 0.10 Q

Electricity 31.57 7.57 11.53 5.35 4.29 2.83

Portable electric heaters 25.08 6.23 8.85 4.39 3.35 2.26

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 0.93 0.12 0.44 0.11 0.16 0.11

Built-in electric units 3.14 0.71 1.22 0.48 0.46 0.27

Fireplace 1.82 0.39 0.79 0.27 0.25 0.12

Some other equipment 0.59 0.12 0.23 0.10 0.07 0.07

Wood 8.83 1.59 3.71 1.36 1.23 0.93

Heating stove 3.13 0.66 1.49 0.36 0.37 0.25

Fireplace 5.68 0.94 2.21 1.00 0.86 0.68

Some other equipment Q Q Q Q N N

Some other fuelb 3.52 0.79 1.77 0.44 0.30 0.23

Does not use secondary heating 

equipment 65.94 20.33 23.44 9.20 7.72 5.26

Does not use any heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Secondary heating usage

Uses all or almost all of the time 10.92 2.33 4.19 1.77 1.60 1.03

Uses at least once a week 9.40 1.56 3.57 1.71 1.65 0.91

Uses a few times per month 4.72 0.89 1.87 0.82 0.62 0.52

Uses only when it is very cold 20.18 5.09 7.93 3.08 2.29 1.78

Uses only in rare situations, such as 

when a guest is visiting 6.58 1.55 2.64 0.96 0.92 0.51

Does not use secondary heating 

equipment 65.94 20.33 23.44 9.20 7.72 5.26

Does not use any heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Winter indoor daytime temperature 

when someone is home

63 degrees or less 4.42 1.53 1.33 0.72 0.44 0.39

64 to 66 degrees 10.30 2.98 3.58 1.55 1.37 0.81

67 to 69 degrees 32.57 7.59 12.99 4.88 4.41 2.69

70 degrees 26.95 7.07 10.13 3.97 3.37 2.41

71 to 73 degrees 25.20 7.02 9.17 3.87 3.17 1.97

74 degrees or more 18.30 5.54 6.44 2.54 2.04 1.73

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 123.53 33.59 45.31 18.27 15.56 10.81

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household members, 2020

Number of housing units (million)

Number of household members

Winter indoor daytime temperature 

when no one is home

63 degrees or less 18.75 5.53 6.80 2.70 2.29 1.43

64 to 66 degrees 22.15 5.71 8.25 3.32 3.07 1.79

67 to 69 degrees 30.09 7.41 11.51 4.70 4.01 2.46

70 degrees 19.35 5.17 7.28 2.77 2.30 1.84

71 to 73 degrees 15.06 4.31 5.42 2.33 1.73 1.26

74 degrees or more 12.35 3.61 4.39 1.71 1.41 1.23

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Winter indoor temperature at night

63 degrees or less 14.85 4.55 5.96 1.88 1.37 1.09

64 to 66 degrees 19.72 5.31 7.86 2.75 2.51 1.29

67 to 69 degrees 31.58 7.62 12.24 4.76 4.17 2.79

70 degrees 20.22 5.27 7.28 3.17 2.71 1.79

71 to 73 degrees 17.49 4.81 5.98 2.82 2.33 1.54

74 degrees or more 13.88 4.18 4.34 2.15 1.72 1.50

Does not use heating equipment 5.79 1.84 1.66 0.73 0.75 0.80

Heated basement

Yes 24.93 4.13 10.01 4.19 3.97 2.62

No 11.71 2.69 4.56 1.83 1.51 1.12

Not asked (heated homes with no 

basement) 45.23 9.60 17.90 7.25 6.30 4.17

Not asked (unheated homes, 

apartments, and mobile homes) 41.66 17.16 12.84 4.99 3.77 2.90

Heated attic

Yes 3.48 0.68 1.08 0.63 0.63 0.46

No 51.67 9.82 20.83 8.41 7.73 4.89

Not asked (heated homes with no 

attic) 26.71 5.93 10.56 4.23 3.43 2.57

Not asked (unheated homes, 

apartments, and mobile homes) 41.66 17.16 12.84 4.99 3.77 2.90

Heated attached garage

Yes 3.87 0.62 1.70 0.56 0.50 0.50

No 46.18 8.07 18.42 7.81 7.27 4.61

Not asked (heated homes with no 

attached garage) 31.82 7.73 12.35 4.91 4.02 2.80

Not asked (unheated homes, 

apartments, and mobile homes) 41.66 17.16 12.84 4.99 3.77 2.90
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 123.53 33.59 45.31 18.27 15.56 10.81

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household members, 2020

Number of housing units (million)

Number of household members

Humidifier usage

Uses a humidifier 29.25 5.96 11.42 4.84 4.28 2.74

Uses only occasionally 7.13 1.22 2.02 1.22 1.55 1.13

Uses only during winter months 15.77 3.49 7.02 2.44 1.85 0.97

Uses about half of the year 2.21 0.44 0.85 0.36 0.34 0.23

Uses all or almost all of the year 4.12 0.79 1.54 0.82 0.55 0.42

Does not use a humidifier 94.28 27.63 33.89 13.43 11.27 8.06

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Demand and Integrated Statistics, Form EIA-457A of the 2020 Residential 

Energy Consumption Survey

Notes: Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. See RECS Terminology for the definitions of terms used in these tables.

a Total U.S. includes all primary occupied housing units in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Vacant housing units, seasonal units, second 

homes, military houses, and group quarters are excluded.

b Some other fuel includes coal and district steam.

Q = Data withheld because either the relative standard error (RSE) was greater than 50% or fewer than 10 households were in the reporting sample.

N = No households in reporting sample. 
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 0.00 1.25 1.15 1.87 2.08 3.13

Space heating equipment

Uses space heating equipment 0.22 1.37 1.22 1.90 2.14 3.12

Has space heating equipment but 

does not use it 5.73 9.96 8.24 18.47 18.65 15.32

Does not have space heating 

equipment 7.62 14.96 15.24 17.21 18.77 16.23

Main heating fuel and equipment

Natural gas 0.77 2.13 1.75 3.05 3.05 3.79

Central warm-air furnace 0.83 2.32 1.86 3.35 3.05 3.86

Steam or hot water system 3.59 6.89 5.00 8.72 9.81 15.94

Built-in room heater 6.01 11.52 12.44 14.00 21.75 18.22

Some other equipment 18.53 39.37 33.17 49.48 40.97 81.48

Electricity 0.92 2.18 2.10 3.70 4.53 5.81

Central warm-air furnace 2.22 5.07 4.52 6.55 7.47 8.93

Heat pump 1.83 4.23 3.21 5.89 6.43 8.93

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 8.94 15.84 14.91 25.44 24.89 28.55

Built-in electric units 2.83 4.64 6.55 11.56 10.70 16.87

Portable electric heaters 6.15 12.18 10.72 12.96 13.63 18.92

Some other equipment 11.79 24.09 13.40 33.37 29.09 40.00

Fuel oil or kerosene 3.50 7.38 6.52 6.91 10.70 12.24

Central warm-air furnace 4.61 9.57 8.82 9.73 12.49 15.48

Steam or hot water system 7.14 14.51 11.80 13.52 19.79 23.26

Some other equipment 16.34 36.48 30.06 45.83 36.57 51.74

Propane 3.76 8.46 5.53 10.32 11.17 15.77

Central warm-air furnace 3.91 8.89 5.85 11.60 13.22 17.59

Some other equipment 8.05 13.85 11.97 23.95 25.38 31.54

Wood 4.88 11.33 7.13 14.92 15.99 25.46

Heating stove 5.46 12.21 8.24 17.04 16.33 27.09

Some other equipment 19.03 47.81 22.03 37.01 59.43 59.80

Some other fuelb 35.67 100.23 39.75 100.27 0.00 0.00

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household 

members, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Number of household members
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 0.00 1.25 1.15 1.87 2.08 3.13

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household 

members, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Number of household members

Main heating equipment (including 

all fuels)

Central warm-air furnace 0.58 2.04 1.58 2.56 2.55 3.89

Heat pump 1.83 4.23 3.21 5.89 6.43 8.93

Steam or hot water system 2.89 5.64 4.55 7.26 7.63 12.61

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 8.94 15.84 14.91 25.44 24.89 28.55

Built-in electric units 2.83 4.64 6.55 11.56 10.70 16.87

Built-in oil or gas room heater 5.37 10.11 9.55 12.59 19.54 17.53

Portable electric heaters 6.15 12.18 10.72 12.96 13.63 18.92

Heating stove burning wood 5.46 12.21 8.24 17.04 16.33 27.09

Some other equipment 9.92 21.76 12.70 37.38 24.80 56.07

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Main heating equipment age

Less than 2 years old 2.42 5.14 3.81 5.67 7.25 8.98

2 to 4 years old 2.11 5.25 3.80 5.35 5.78 8.05

5 to 9 years old 1.44 2.90 2.37 3.93 4.25 5.34

10 to 14 years old 1.99 4.65 2.88 5.30 4.34 7.52

15 to 19 years old 2.50 5.31 4.33 6.87 6.36 9.94

20 or more years old 1.77 3.31 3.32 4.40 6.10 6.73

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Has thermostat

Yes 0.33 1.36 1.16 1.88 2.07 3.47

Smart or internet-connected 

thermostat 2.22 7.25 4.07 5.87 4.62 7.57

Programmable thermostat 0.88 2.57 2.05 2.94 3.32 4.42

Non-programmable thermostat 1.29 1.91 2.32 3.31 3.75 6.56

No 2.69 5.06 4.71 7.51 8.55 10.10

Does not use heating or airconditioning equipment 8.55 16.79 15.99 27.98 30.99 28.87
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 0.00 1.25 1.15 1.87 2.08 3.13

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household 

members, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Number of household members

Main heating equipment control

Sets one temperature and leaves it 

there most of the time 1.12 2.02 2.20 3.24 3.85 4.28

Manually adjusts the temperature 1.74 2.72 2.55 4.22 4.96 6.24

Programmable or smart thermostat 

automatically adjusts the 

temperature 1.84 4.32 3.06 4.78 4.48 6.83

Turns equipment on or off as needed 2.85 4.71 5.33 9.03 8.93 11.65

Household does not have control over 

the equipment 5.10 10.72 9.53 12.67 17.19 18.50

Controls heating equipment in some 

other way 17.23 35.96 29.90 49.96 44.56 51.15

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Secondary heating fuel and 

equipment

Uses secondary heating equipment 1.02 2.83 1.88 3.09 3.11 4.60

Natural gas 3.01 6.78 5.03 8.69 6.93 10.51

Fireplace 3.31 7.69 5.08 9.28 7.23 10.85

Some other equipment 8.63 18.61 15.29 26.03 25.06 38.92

Electricity 1.36 3.84 2.67 4.10 4.39 5.23

Portable electric heaters 1.47 4.14 3.04 4.41 4.67 5.67

Ductless heat pump (mini-split) 9.43 24.37 11.72 19.87 21.77 27.62

Built-in electric units 4.26 10.46 6.33 10.20 13.78 17.71

Fireplace 5.60 14.89 8.31 16.09 17.14 27.78

Some other equipment 12.79 33.10 17.08 30.37 30.55 38.11

Wood 2.77 6.01 4.58 7.52 7.51 10.08

Heating stove 4.79 10.19 7.14 11.97 12.79 15.07

Fireplace 3.84 8.49 6.45 8.87 8.81 13.10

Some other equipment 68.13 100.81 80.09 100.38 0.00 0.00

Some other fuelb 4.33 11.32 6.67 13.14 20.07 15.98

Does not use secondary heating 

equipment 0.80 1.70 1.82 2.87 3.23 3.71

Does not use any heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 0.00 1.25 1.15 1.87 2.08 3.13

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household 

members, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Number of household members

Secondary heating usage

Uses all or almost all of the time 2.75 6.57 4.73 6.44 7.87 9.96

Uses at least once a week 2.33 7.12 4.23 6.30 6.14 8.50

Uses a few times per month 4.20 8.07 6.71 9.07 11.03 13.20

Uses only when it is very cold 2.08 4.55 2.96 6.08 6.30 8.58

Uses only in rare situations, such as 

when a guest is visiting 3.45 6.26 5.35 8.28 10.98 11.73

Does not use secondary heating 

equipment 0.80 1.70 1.82 2.87 3.23 3.71

Does not use any heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Winter indoor daytime temperature 

when someone is home

63 degrees or less 4.48 7.77 7.64 12.81 11.17 19.03

64 to 66 degrees 2.75 5.27 4.32 7.39 8.50 10.40

67 to 69 degrees 1.20 3.40 2.64 3.65 4.14 5.57

70 degrees 1.56 4.33 2.76 4.40 4.75 5.54

71 to 73 degrees 1.53 3.30 2.80 5.10 4.83 6.91

74 degrees or more 2.27 3.99 4.13 5.67 7.13 6.84

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Winter indoor daytime temperature 

when no one is home

63 degrees or less 2.19 3.95 3.07 5.24 6.65 9.62

64 to 66 degrees 1.92 4.12 3.32 5.33 4.13 9.27

67 to 69 degrees 1.40 3.09 2.93 3.84 3.56 5.31

70 degrees 2.23 4.52 3.26 4.93 6.17 7.40

71 to 73 degrees 2.10 4.13 3.90 5.63 5.65 7.75

74 degrees or more 2.59 5.01 5.29 8.00 8.77 9.38

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05

Winter indoor temperature at night

63 degrees or less 2.69 4.74 3.68 7.82 7.19 10.21

64 to 66 degrees 2.11 4.99 3.32 5.40 6.09 8.27

67 to 69 degrees 1.65 3.53 2.36 3.76 4.46 5.69

70 degrees 2.03 4.61 3.10 5.52 5.69 6.15

71 to 73 degrees 2.12 4.06 3.55 5.58 6.08 7.38

74 degrees or more 2.60 4.92 5.25 5.85 7.82 7.65

Does not use heating equipment 4.41 8.87 7.56 11.68 12.93 11.05
Total U.S.a 1 member 2 members 3 members 4 members

5 or more 

members

All homes 0.00 1.25 1.15 1.87 2.08 3.13

Preliminary data release date: May 2022

Final data release date: March 2023

Relative standard errors (RSEs) for Table HC6.4 Space heating in U.S. homes, by number of household 

members, 2020

RSEs for number of housing units

Number of household members

Heated basement

Yes 1.16 4.14 2.15 3.99 4.33 4.62

No 2.24 5.12 3.97 5.67 7.19 8.14

Not asked (heated homes with no 

basement) 0.60 2.56 1.70 3.47 3.85 4.88

Not asked (unheated homes, 

apartments, and mobile homes) 0.34 1.74 2.28 4.37 5.00 7.05

Heated attic

Yes 4.07 11.01 7.88 12.38 9.83 12.58

No 0.74 2.87 1.55 2.86 3.24 3.89

Not asked (heated homes with no 

attic) 1.37 3.62 2.19 4.36 4.91 4.08

Not asked (unheated homes, 

apartments, and mobile homes) 0.34 1.74 2.28 4.37 5.00 7.05

Heated attached garage

Yes 3.93 10.75 7.04 10.72 12.70 11.83

No 0.88 2.63 1.84 2.94 3.17 3.89

Not asked (heated homes with no 

attached garage) 1.12 3.33 2.52 4.04 4.43 5.24

Not asked (unheated homes, 

apartments, and mobile homes) 0.34 1.74 2.28 4.37 5.00 7.05

Humidifier usage

Uses a humidifier 1.47 3.76 2.56 3.53 3.87 5.19

Uses only occasionally 3.83 8.87 7.39 8.10 7.36 7.48

Uses only during winter months 1.73 3.97 2.89 5.07 5.62 9.31

Uses about half of the year 6.35 14.47 11.10 12.38 13.81 17.88

Uses all or almost all of the year 5.07 11.79 8.76 10.88 12.47 11.27

Does not use a humidifier 0.46 1.35 1.43 2.39 2.52 3.56

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Demand and Integrated Statistics, Form EIA-457A of the 2020 Residential 

Energy Consumption Survey

Notes: See RECS Terminology for the definitions of terms used in these tables.

a Total U.S. includes all primary occupied housing units in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Vacant housing units, seasonal units, second 

homes, military houses, and group quarters are excluded.

b Some other fuel includes coal and district steam.