Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)

Overview
Data

Analysis & Projections

Energy consumption per home has steadily declined over the last three decades

Source: Residential Energy Consumption Survey. Includes occupied primary housing units only.
Where does RECS square footage data come from?

Source: Residential Energy Consumption Survey Methodology
The impact of increasing home size on energy demand

Source: Table HC10.8 Average Square Footage of U.S. Homes, By Housing Characteristics, 2009
Average U.S. household using more consumer electronics

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

Methodology

Where does RECS square footage data come from?

The size of a home is a fixed characteristic strongly associated with the amount of energy consumed within it, particularly for space heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other appliances.

How does EIA estimate energy consumption and end uses in U.S. homes?

EIA administers the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to a nationally representative sample of housing units. Specially trained interviewers collect energy characteristics on the housing unit, usage patterns, and household demographics.

An Assessment of EIA's Building Consumption Data

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) routinely uses feedback from customers and outside experts to help improve its programs and products.

Features

RECS data show decreased energy consumption per household

Release Date: June 6, 2012

Total United States energy consumption in homes has remained relatively stable for many years as increased energy efficiency has offset the increase in the number and average size of housing units, according to the from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS).

The impact of increasing home size on energy demand

Release Date: April 19, 2012

Homes built since 1990 are on average 27% larger than homes built in earlier decades, a significant trend because most energy end-uses are correlated with the size of the home.

Did you know that air conditioning is in nearly 100 million U.S. homes?

Release Date: August 19, 2011

The latest results from the 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) show that 87 percent of U.S. households are now equipped with AC. This growth occurred among all housing types and in every Census region. Wider use has coincided with much improved energy efficiency standards for AC equipment, a population shift to hotter and more humid regions, and a housing boom during which average housing sizes increased.

How are we using energy in homes today?

Release Date: March 28, 2011

The 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) collected home energy characteristics data from over 12,000 U.S. households. Findings from the survey are highlighted in this report and presented in detailed Household Energy Characteristics tables.

EIA expands household energy use data series to include 16 states

Release Date: March 28, 2011

EIA is releasing new benchmark estimates for home energy use for the year 2009 that will include data for 16 States, 12 more than in past survey rounds. EIA has conducted the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) since 1978 to provide data on home energy characteristics, end uses and expenses for the four Census Regions and nine Divisions.