Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)

Overview
Data

Analysis & Projections

Recording of the 2015 RECS Webinar held Sept. 19 is now available

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Surveys
What’s New in How We Use Energy at Home

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Surveys
U.S. households' heating equipment choices are diverse and vary by climate region

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Surveys
Average number of televisions in U.S. homes declining

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Surveys
Timeline of EIA's 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Methodology

2015 RECS Square Footage Methodology

The square footage, or size, of a home is an important characteristic in understanding its energy use. The amounts of energy used for major end uses such as space heating and air conditioning are strongly related to the size of the home.

2015 Technical Documentation Summary

RECS is a multi-year effort consisting of a Household Survey phase, data collection from household energy suppliers, and end-use consumption and expenditures estimation.

An Assessment of Interval Data and Their Potential Application to Residential Electricity End-Use Modeling

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is investigating the potential benefits of incorporating interval electricity data into its residential energy end use models.

End-use model methodology FAQs

An overview of questions on how end-use models and equations disaggregate household total fuel consumption.

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

One in three U.S. households faced challenges in paying energy bills in 2015

Release Date: October 31, 2017

Nearly one-third of U.S. households (31%) reported facing a challenge in paying energy bills or sustaining adequate heating and cooling in their home in 2015. According to the most recent results from EIA’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), about one in five households reported reducing or forgoing basic necessities like food and medicine to pay an energy bill and 14% reported receiving a disconnection notice for energy service.

U.S. households' heating equipment choices are diverse and vary by climate region

Release Date: April 6, 2017

Data from the 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) show that the majority of American households use one of three types of equipment as their main source of heat during the winter: natural gas furnaces, electric furnaces, or electric heat pumps. The range of equipment and fuels, however, varies across and within U.S. climate regions.

Average number of televisions in U.S. homes declining

Release Date: February 28, 2017

Results from the U.S Energy Information Administration’s most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) show that an average of 2.3 televisions were used in American homes in 2015, down from an average of 2.6 televisions per household in 2009.

Heating and cooling no longer majority of U.S. home energy use

Release Date: March 7, 2013

For decades, space heating and cooling (space conditioning) accounted for more than half of all residential energy consumption. Estimates from the most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), show that 48% of energy consumption in U.S. homes in 2009 was for heating and cooling, down from 58% in 1993.

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).