What uses more energy in our homes — heating, cooling, lighting, or
powering electronics like TVs, computers, and MP3 players? And, do
houses in the United States use more electricity or natural gas?
In Homes Basics
Click to enlarge »
Click to enlarge »
The ability to heat and cool is one important accomplishment of
modern technology. Our ovens, freezers, and homes can be kept at any
temperature we choose, a luxury that wasn't possible 100 years ago. But
keeping our homes comfortable uses a lot of energy.
Lighting is also essential to a modern society. Lights have
revolutionized the way we live, work, and play. Most homes still use the
traditional incandescent bulbs invented by Thomas Edison. These bulbs
convert only about 10% of the electricity they use into light; the other
90% is converted into heat. In 1879, the average bulb produced only 14
lumens (a measure of the quantity of light) per watt, compared to about
17 lumens per watt from modern incandescent bulbs. By adding halogen
gases, the efficiency can be increased to 20 lumens per watt.
Compact fluorescent bulbs, or "CFLs," have made inroads into home
lighting systems in the last few years. These bulbs last much longer and
use much less energy than incandescent bulbs, producing significant
savings over the life of the bulb.
Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers are
also more energy efficient than they used to be. Congress passed the
National Appliance Energy Conservation Act in 1990 that requires new
appliances to meet strict energy efficiency standards. Learn what it
means to be
energy efficient.
Types of Energy Used In Homes
Natural gas is the most widely consumed energy source in American
homes, followed by electricity, heating oil, and propane. Natural gas
and heating oil (fuel oil) are used mainly for home heating.
Electricity may also be used for heating and cooling, plus it lights
our homes and runs almost all of our appliances including refrigerators,
toasters, and computers. Many homes in rural areas use
propane for heating, while others use it to fuel their barbecue
grills.
Energy Use in Different Types of Homes
Energy Use in Different Types of Homes
About 80% of residential energy use is consumed in single-family
homes, while 15% is consumed in multi-family dwellings such as
apartments, and 5% is consumed in mobile homes.
More than half of the energy used for heating in single-family homes
(either attached or detached) is natural gas, about one-fourth is
electricity, and one-tenth is fuel oil (heating oil). Most single-family
homes have some type of air conditioning, and almost all single-family
homes have a washing machine and a dryer.
Single-Family Dwellings:
In 2005, for main fuel used for heating and operating equipment:
- 56% use natural gas
- 26% use electricity
- 7% use fuel oil
- 6% use liquefied petroleum gases (LPG)
- 1% use kerosene
Eighty-four percent of single-family homes have air conditioning
(central system, wall/window units, or both).
For Appliances:
- 95% have a clothes washer
- 92% have a clothes dryer
- 74% have a personal computer
Multi-Family Dwellings:
Multi-family dwellings such as apartments use about equal amounts of
natural gas and electricity for heating. More than 80% of multi-family
homes have air conditioning and more than one-third contain washers and
dryers.
In 2005, for main heating fuel and equipment:
- 47% use natural gas
- 41% use electricity
- 7% use fuel oil
- almost no one uses LPG or kerosene
Eighty-two percent of multi-family homes have air conditioning (a
central system, wall/window units, or both).
For appliances:
- 40% have a clothes washer
- 35% have a clothes dryer
- 55% have a personal computer
Mobile Homes:
In 2005, for main heating fuel and equipment:
- 27% use natural gas
- 42% use electricity
- 3% use fuel oil
- 19% use LPG
- 4% use kerosene
Eighty-four percent of mobile homes have air conditioning (central
system, wall/window units, or both).
For appliances:
- 87% have a clothes washer
- 78% have a clothes dryer
- 49% have a personal computer
Mobile homes are more likely than the other types of homes to heat
with propane (LPG). More than one-third of mobile homes use electricity
and about one-third use natural gas for heating. Most mobile homes
contain washing machines and dryers.
|
