According to the most recent data from the United States Energy Information Administration, the average American household consumes 10,800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a year. That translates to approximately 900 kWh a month and 30 kWh per day.
Watts measure the rate at which energy is consumed or generated, equal to one joule per second. A kWh is the energy required to power a 1,000-watt appliance for sixty minutes. A 2,000-watt heater will consume one kWh of electricity in half an hour, while it will take a 10-watt light bulb 100 hours to do the same.
Average kWh per day varies greatly across the U.S. Southern households use close to 37 kWh per day while households in the Northeast only use 22. Differences in electricity usage are the result of several factors, many of which are within your control.
What Impacts Energy Use?
Nothing affects power consumption more than electricity costs. When prices are high, people tend to conserve. Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the United States ($0.44/kWh) and consumes the least amount of electricity per household. Conversely, Louisiana has the lowest prices ($0.11/kWh) and consumes the most. Other factors that influence energy use include:
Climate
While most furnaces run on natural gas, air conditioners run almost exclusively on electricity. As a result, homes in warm climates have higher electricity costs than homes in colder ones.
Home Size
Large buildings require more energy for heating, cooling, and lighting. A 3,000 square foot home consumes more than double the electricity of a home with less than 1,000 square feet. The average American home is approximately 2,000 square feet and uses 30-33 kWh per day.
Related to home size is household size. Even though personal and household appliances don’t require a great deal of energy (together, they account for less than a third of home energy consumption), large households use them more frequently, leading to higher costs.
Home Construction
Building materials have different thermal properties, which determines how well they insulate your home. Wood and brick are poor thermal conductors that prevent heat from entering or escaping from your home. They also have high thermal capacity and temperature lag, meaning they absorb large amounts of heat but release it slowly, reducing the flow of heat from outside to inside.
Glass, on the other hand, is an excellent conductor, with a low thermal capacity and short temperature lag, which is why houses with large windows are harder to heat and cool. But building materials aren’t the only elements to consider. There’s also:
- Orientation. Homes that receive a lot of direct sunlight require less artificial lighting. They’re also easier to heat in winter, but harder to cool in summer.
- Roofing. Light colored roofs reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of heat absorbed by your home, making it less expensive to maintain stable temperatures indoors.
- Insulation. Walls, roofs, and floors are layered with fiberglass, cellulose, and foam in order to minimize heat transfer with the surrounding environment. However, insulation degrades over time, leading to energy loss and higher electric bills.
- Envelope. A building’s envelope is the physical barriers separating its interior and exterior. This not only includes the walls, but the roof, doors, and windows as well. Though building envelopes are designed to be airtight, gaps often develop as materials expand and contract in response to shifting temperatures. Most are small, but by exposing you to the elements, they increase the length and frequency of your home’s heating and cooling cycles.
Household Appliances
Over forty percent of the electricity in your home goes to power three devices: space heaters, water heaters, and air conditioners. Lighting accounts for another ten percent, while refrigerators and televisions consume around seven percent each. Due to wear and tear, older appliances are less efficient and more costly to run. Newer appliances also benefit from modern technology, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining performance.
How to Lower Your Average kWh per Day
The simplest way to reduce electricity consumption is to monitor your energy habits. Do you run the dishwasher when it’s half full? Do you keep the hot water on while brushing your teeth? Is the thermostat set too low? Keeping track of your behavior will help you discover new ways to conserve energy. This may include:
- Unplugging Energy Vampires. Some devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles, draw energy even after they’ve been deactivated. Leaving these devices plugged in all day results in significant costs over the course of a year.
- Running Appliances During Off-Peak Hours. Electricity prices fluctuate with demand. They’re highest from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. (peak hours) and lowest from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (off-peak hours). Super off-peak hours are 9 p.m. – 8 a.m., though not every utility offers this type of pricing.
- Switching to ENERGY STAR Appliances. ENERGY STAR appliances contain the latest energy saving technology and use less electricity than any comparable device on the market. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo when you’re out shopping. Though their up-front cost may be a bit higher, they save money in the long run.
- Installing LEDs. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) last 50 times longer than traditional light bulbs and use one-seventh of the electricity.
- Servicing Your Air Conditioner. Preventative maintenance keeps your cooling system operating as efficiently as possible. Contact your local HVAC contractor and schedule a visit at least once a year.
For larger savings, consider performing a home energy audit. It provides a detailed overview of your home with specific recommendations for improving efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and creating a more comfortable living environment.
Save on Electrical Repairs with EnergyGuard™
Energy costs are closely related to the reliability of your home power system. In addition to lowering your average kWh per day, homeowners also need to ensure their internal wiring is protected from wear and tear. Home insurance doesn’t cover this type of damage, but Agway does. Our EnergyGuard™ program protects your heating, cooling, and electrical systems against problems stemming from daily use.
When the need for repair occurs, Agway customers don’t waste time searching for a qualified repairman. They call us instead. Our service team maintains a network of HVAC contractors in your area and sends the first available one straight to your door. There are no service fees or deductibles either. We pay for the visit and all covered parts. Experience hassle free repairs. Sign up and start enjoying the benefits of EnergyGuard™ today!
