Knowing how much energy your home uses can help you pick the right plan and avoid overpaying. The average U.S. household uses 10,791 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year, which is approximately 30 kWh per day. Homes in southern states typically use more energy than other regions because they rely more on electric heating in winter and air conditioning in hot weather.
Your exact usage may vary by home size, location and daily activities. Comparing your energy use to the average can help you estimate your bills and see where your usage falls. Because you pay for your energy per kilowatt-hour of usage, higher usage means higher bills. However, small changes can help you cut your energy costs. And if you live in a deregulated area such as Texas, you can shop around for the right energy provider and electricity plan to secure lower rates. You can use the averages on this page to compare your consumption and find the best energy plan for your home.
Average Kilowatt Hours Per Day in American Households
The average U.S. household uses about 30 kWh per day, but actual usage varies by location. For example, the South uses the most energy on average, at about 38 kWh per day, because of the additional demand for air conditioning. At 22.5 kWh per day, northeast states use below average. This is partly because the area predominantly uses natural gas for heating instead of electricity. Homes in this area also generally use air conditioning less than in southern states.
Energy usage also varies by rural or urban areas. Larger rural homes require more electricity for daily activities. Smaller urban homes or apartments use less electricity due to smaller spaces and shared heating and air systems. The average U.S. electricity rate of 16.26 cents per kWh, based on December 2024 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Here’s how the cost adds up by day, month and year.
Average kWh Usage by State
Compare the average usage and electricity rates by state in the table below.
| State | Average Monthly kWh Usage | Average Daily kWh Usage | Average Cost of Daily Electricity (cents per kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,112 | 37.1 | 14.91 |
| Alaska | 577 | 19.2 | 22.38 |
| Arizona | 1,059 | 35.3 | 15.2 |
| Arkansas | 1,049 | 35.0 | 11.74 |
| California | 491 | 16.4 | 30.55 |
| Colorado | 662 | 22.1 | 15.16 |
| Connecticut | 678 | 22.6 | 28.16 |
| Delaware | 878 | 29.3 | 16.68 |
| Florida | 1,107 | 36.9 | 14.2 |
| Georgia | 1,035 | 34.5 | 13.49 |
| Hawaii | 503 | 16.8 | 42.34 |
| Idaho | 965 | 32.2 | 10.97 |
| Illinois | 669 | 22.3 | 15.99 |
| Indiana | 876 | 29.2 | 14.42 |
| Iowa | 846 | 28.2 | 12.43 |
| Kansas | 881 | 29.4 | 13.85 |
| Kentucky | 994 | 33.1 | 13.28 |
| Louisiana | 1,238 | 41.3 | 11.7 |
| Maine | 560 | 18.7 | 26.29 |
| Maryland | 894 | 29.8 | 18.15 |
| Massachusetts | 559 | 18.6 | 31.22 |
| Michigan | 603 | 20.1 | 18.41 |
| Minnesota | 752 | 25.1 | 14.05 |
| Mississippi | 1,157 | 38.6 | 13.44 |
| Missouri | 1,003 | 33.4 | 11.57 |
| Montana | 873 | 29.1 | 11.87 |
| Nebraska | 996 | 33.2 | 10.78 |
| Nevada | 874 | 29.1 | 14.88 |
| New Hampshire | 600 | 20.0 | 23.62 |
| New Jersey | 639 | 21.3 | 19.49 |
| New Mexico | 659 | 22.0 | 14.26 |
| New York | 566 | 18.9 | 24.37 |
| North Carolina | 989 | 33.0 | 13.49 |
| North Dakota | 1,069 | 35.6 | 10.21 |
| Ohio | 811 | 27.0 | 15.98 |
| Oklahoma | 1,069 | 35.6 | 11.52 |
| Oregon | 924 | 30.8 | 14.12 |
| Pennsylvania | 791 | 26.4 | 17.6 |
| Rhode Island | 554 | 18.5 | 25.31 |
| South Carolina | 1,022 | 34.1 | 13.87 |
| South Dakota | 1,025 | 34.2 | 12.42 |
| Tennessee | 1,109 | 37.0 | 13.04 |
| Texas | 1,146 | 38.2 | 15.32 |
| Utah | 759 | 25.3 | 11.02 |
| Vermont | 563 | 18.8 | 22.29 |
| Virginia | 993 | 33.1 | 14.46 |
| Washington | 977 | 32.6 | 11.83 |
| West Virginia | 986 | 32.9 | 14.51 |
| Wisconsin | 658 | 21.9 | 16.31 |
| Wyoming | 866 | 28.9 | 11.78 |
Average electricity rates are accurate as of March 2025 based on the December 2024 EIA data.
Average kWh Usage by Home Size
Energy usage varies by the size of your home, the number of residents and the appliances you use. Single-family homes use the most electricity to run heating and air systems to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the home. Compare how energy usage varies by home size in the table below.
| Home Size | Average Monthly kWh Usage | Average Daily kWh Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached | 990 | 33 |
| Single-family attached | 690 | 23 |
| Apartment (2-4 units) | 554 | 18.5 |
| Apartment (5+ units) | 477 | 16 |
| Mobile homes | 968 | 32 |
The average usage is based on the EIA’s annual home electricity consumption. We took the average of regions by home type to determine the monthly and daily totals.
What Affects Household Energy Consumption?
Your home energy usage depends on several factors, including weather patterns, home size and appliances. Understanding how each impacts your total energy consumption can help you find ways to lower your bills.
Climate Impact
Each region of the U.S. uses energy in different ways based on the climate, mainly for heating and cooling. Homes in the Northeast and Midwest use more energy to stay warm during cold winters, while the South uses more energy in the summer to stay cool. As temperatures rise due to climate change, energy demand for cooling in warmer regions will increase. Colder areas might experience a decrease in heating demand.
Home Size and Layout
Large homes often need more energy for temperature control, lighting and using multiple appliances due to size and layout. For example, a standalone single-family home uses about 990 kWh per month on average, while a multi-unit apartment uses about 480 kWh a month.
Apartments are smaller and often share a heating and air system with the rest of the building. This means each apartment unit uses less energy compared to the single-family home with its own heating and air system. Apartments and attached single-family homes can also save energy by being insulated from the connected units, which reduces the reliance on your system for heat and cooling.
Building Construction and Age
Older homes are typically less energy efficient than those built after the 1990s due to outdated materials and poor insulation. For example, older homes may have single-pane windows, which don’t keep heat in or out, as well as double-pane windows. The introduction of Energy Star standards and green building codes promoted the use of energy-saving materials, making newer homes more efficient. As a result, these homes tend to use less energy and have lower electricity bills.
Major Appliances and Usage Patterns
Energy usage from household appliances varies, but heating and cooling systems tend to consume the most energy, making up about 32% of total usage. Many appliances, such as refrigerators, run constantly, while dishwashers and laundry machines use energy in cycles.
Outdated appliances consume more electricity than Energy Star-certified models. Installing Energy Star appliances can help you save up to $450 a year on energy bills by increasing appliance efficiency. Here’s a look at how much energy appliances consume per day based on U.S. data from the EIA’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey in 2020:
- Air conditioning: 6.34 kWh
- Space heating: 27.6 kWh
- Refrigerator: 2.33 kWh
- Water heating: 11.3 kWh
Note that the air conditioning numbers will be significantly higher than in southern states, while space heating use may be much lower.
Electricity Costs and Billing
Electricity costs vary by location, plan type and how much energy you use. The average electricity rate in New England is 28.28 cents per kWh, while the average in the South Atlantic states is 14.39 cents per kWh. In some states, such as Texas, you can choose your electricity rate and save money on energy bills by securing a cheaper plan.
Your electricity bill is determined by the number of kilowatt-hours you use multiplied by the energy charge. Based on the average U.S. electricity rate, a single-family detached home using 990 kWh per month would pay about $161. Meanwhile, a small apartment using 500 kWh per month would pay about $81.
Note also that some energy plans have different billing structures, which can include discounts based on times of use. Time-of-use rate plans offer a specific rate based on the time of day or day of the week. Rates will typically be higher during on-peak hours when energy demand is high and lower during off-peak hours when demand is low. If your usage aligns with off-peak times, this plan type might help you save. We recommend a fixed-rate plan with simple pricing unless your usage habits better fit a time-of-use schedule for savings.
Tips for Reducing Daily kWh Usage
You can save money and reduce your environmental impact by improving your home’s energy efficiency. Start with simple changes, such as turning down your thermostat and turning off lights when you leave the room. Other steps may require a large upfront investment, such as installing a solar system on your home. You’ll find a list of ways to reduce your usage and cut your energy bill below. Consider which options best fit your budget and lifestyle.
- Adjust your thermostat: To reduce the energy your system uses to maintain the indoor temperature, keep your thermostat as close to the outdoor temperature as possible.
- Turn down your water heater: Consider lowering your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to cut back on the energy used to warm water to higher temperatures.
- Update insulation: Check your home is properly insulated for your region and make improvements as needed.
- Turn off unused appliances: Unplug devices and appliances when not in use, or consider a smart power strip that shuts off automatically when not in use.
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs: Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent lights.
- Use cold water when washing your clothes. This will require less energy and will still keep your clothes fresh.
- Air dry laundry: Consider air drying laundry to reduce the power used by clothes dryers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Average Kilowatt-Hour Usage
How much is the average electric bill for a 2,000-square-foot home?
The average U.S. electricity bill is $169 per month, but energy costs vary by location and usage. For example, the average monthly electricity bill in Connecticut costs $198, while the average bill in Texas costs about $179. Although homes in Texas tend to use more electricity, the cheaper electricity rates result in a lower total bill compared to Connecticut, where rates are significantly higher.
What appliances use the most electricity per day?
Space heating and air conditioners use the most electricity to keep comfortable indoor temperatures. Other appliances that use significant energy include water heating and refrigerators. You can increase efficiency by upgrading to Energy Star-certified appliances.
How can I calculate my daily kWh usage?
You can find your monthly usage listed on your electric bills and divide the total by the number of days in the month. For example, if you use 990 kWh in a month with 31 days, that will average out to about 32 kWh per day.
What is Considered High kWh Usage Per Day?
High usage is about 40 kWh or more per day, while the average daily energy usage in the U.S. is about 30 to 32 kWh. High-usage households in deregulated areas may benefit from choosing an electric plan with savings for usage above 2,000 kWh. Review your average usage and search for plans that offer lower rates based on your energy needs.
