Energy consumption in America is nothing new for those who use it or work with it on a daily basis. America is one of the world’s leading creators and users of energy no matter the method of origin, from coal to solar and everything in between. Though energy is relied on to run most of our daily lives, how it actually works can be misunderstood. Oftentimes, the true surprise is how much even seasoned professionals do not know. Below are just some of the surprising facts about energy consumption in America that many are unaware of.
- Americans use around 25% of the world’s energy although we comprise of only about 5% of the population
- The third largest industry in the United States is energy or energy-related
- Among renewable energy, hydropower is the most used. This accounts for around 7% of America’s electricity
- More than $17 billion in energy-related natural gas improvements have been invested in the United States
- Though not commonly used in the United States, one wind turbine can power up to 300 typical homes
- Surprisingly, solar and wind production have more than tripled since 2008 although they still are not a large part of America’s energy production
- America continues to work to promote renewable energy sources through the federal and some state governments, but the U.S. Energy Information Administration has forecasted that the United States will be using non-renewable energy sources for most of its energy consumption through 2040
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are more than 3 million jobs related to clean energy in the United states
- Hospitals are one of the largest energy consumers throughout the United States
- Energy use is a leading cost of K – 12 education, ranking as more expensive than textbooks and computer costs combined
- Heating and cooling costs in the summer and winter account for more than 50% of the average American’s annual utility bill
- The United States is the world leader in providing nuclear energy
- Energy inefficient homes are a cost drain on both energy producers and U.S. consumers. Estimates indicate that the United States spends more than $300 billion a year on energy that could be saved as a consequence of inefficient appliances, drafty windows, and other energy-wasting devices
- Since 2008, coal energy consumption has reliably reduced from one billion short tons to 636.5 million short tons. The United States is the world’s second largest coal energy consumer behind only China, whose consumption dwarfs many other countries combined
- The expected 2019/2020 average price of heating oil for homes is $3.02 a gallon, down from a record high of $3.88 in 2013/2014, but still exceeding the record low $2.06 in 2015/2016
- Among sectors of the U.S. economy, transportation has led total energy consumption since 1985 followed by industrial, residential, and then non-industrial commercial
- The United States was not the world leader in energy consumption in 2018. It was second to China. America was trailed by India, Russia, Japan, Canada, Germany, South Korea and others
- In 2017 and 2018, energy consumption in the United States by source increased for petroleum (oil), natural gas, nuclear, biomass, wind, solar, and geothermal, while it decreased for coal and hydroelectric energy sources
- Natural gas consumption in America is at an all-time high since 1995 after consistent increases in demand from 2009 – 2016. This has largely been driven by high demand from electric power followed by the industrial sector
