How Many Kwh Does a House Use Per Day?

Do you have an idea of how much electricity your home uses each day, month, or year? Several things affect the amount of kilowatt-hours (kWh) your home consumes. The kWh number represents how much electricity you use, which decides the cost on your monthly electric bill. In the U.S., the average home typically uses around 900 kWh per month.

How much electricity your home uses can change a lot based on its size, the number of people living there, and the kinds of appliances you have. Understanding your home's kWh usage can help you plan for your electric bill, find ways to use less energy, and figure out what size solar system might be right for you.

We'll explain everything you need to know about how many kilowatt-hours your house uses and share tips on how to spend less on your electricity bills in a way that's easy to understand for everyone.

What Contributes to Kwh Usage?

Understanding the usual amount of electricity your home uses is crucial for achieving energy independence. But, there are many factors that impact the average amount of electricity a home uses each day, month, and year. Here are a few of them:

• The size of your home
• Where you live, like the climate in your area
• How much energy your household typically uses, including heating, cooling, appliances, and electronics
• The number of people living in your house
• How well your house keeps in heat or cool air

It's quite a bit of information to absorb. To simplify things, let's look at the average daily and monthly electricity usage for homes of different sizes. Still, for the most accurate details about your home, it's a good idea to chat with an energy consultant!

Understanding kwh and Why It Matters

A kilowatt (kW) is a measure of electrical power, while a kilowatt-hour (kWh) shows how much power a device uses in one hour. You often see watt (W), watt-hour (Wh), kW, and kWh on appliance labels and utility bills.

Finding out how much electricity your entire home uses in kWh can be a bit tricky and time-consuming. It involves adding up the kWh measurements of all your energy-using devices. Let's break down how you can figure out the kWh usage for one appliance, like a microwave:

• Identify the microwave's wattage: Let's say it's 1,500 W.
• Multiply the wattage by how many hours you use the microwave daily (for instance, 2 hours). This gives you 3,000 Wh.
• Divide that number by 1,000 to get its kWh: 3 kWh.
• Multiply the kWh by the number of days you want to measure (e.g., 30-31 days for monthly usage).

So, a microwave using 3 kWh would consume about 90 kWh monthly and 1,095 kWh annually.

To find out how much your microwave costs in electricity, check your electric bill for the utility's kWh charge. Multiply this by the kWh number to figure out the device's cost for that period.

Understanding your home's average kWh usage is essential, especially when considering solar power benefits. Going solar becomes a wise choice as it provides a safeguard against increasing energy expenses.

How Much Electricity Does the Typical House Use?

On average, a U.S. household consumes around 900 kWh of electricity each month. That breaks down to roughly 30 kWh per day or 10,800 kWh annually. Considering this average electricity usage alongside the cost of electricity, you can anticipate a monthly electric bill of about $135.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that this average kWh figure is just that – an average. Your actual electricity bill might be significantly higher or lower depending on various factors such as your location, the season, the size of your home, and even the size of your family!

For example, if you're constantly running the air conditioning, charging an electric vehicle, and leaving lights on for extended periods, you'll likely use more power compared to a neighbor who opts for natural ventilation, owns a gas stove, and is mindful of turning lights off.

What Factors Affect kwh Usage?

Several factors contribute to your home's electricity usage. Among the primary influencers are home appliances, heating, and cooling systems. Additionally, household size and the time of year can play a role in determining your electricity consumption.

It's worth noting that if your home relies entirely on electricity, your kWh usage tends to be higher. Homes heated by gas or oil aren't measured in kWh. However, all-electric homes can benefit significantly from solar savings – more on that below!

Home Size (sq. ft.):

The size of your home is a major factor influencing your electricity usage. Larger homes generally require more power, especially when it comes to heating. For instance, heating a large home demands more energy compared to a small apartment. On average, a 2,000-square-foot home in the U.S. consumes about 900 kWh per month, translating to approximately 0.45 kWh per square foot monthly. This can help estimate electricity usage for different-sized homes, with small apartments using around 400 kWh and larger homes nearing 2,000 kWh monthly.

Household Size:

The number of people in your household significantly affects your electricity consumption. A single person in any size house is likely to have a lower bill. However, if there's a family of five, energy use tends to be higher. More individuals using appliances, like blow dryers, toaster ovens, and TVs simultaneously, add up to increased electricity usage.

Location:

Your geographical location plays a vital role, causing energy usage to vary from state to state. For instance, Louisiana experiences high energy usage, with residential homes using an average of about 1,168 kWh per month due to hot summers necessitating extensive air conditioning use. In contrast, Maine has lower monthly electricity usage (around 904 kWh) because of milder temperatures and different heating methods.

STATE	AVERAGE BILL NOVEMBER 2023	ENERGY RATES NOVEMBER 2023	MONTHLY USAGE	NATIONAL RANK
Alabama	$175.40	14.89 ¢/kWh	1,178 kWh	47
Alaska	$139.72	24.09 ¢/kWh	580 kWh	26
Arizona	$154.16	14.53 ¢/kWh	1,061 kWh	34
Arkansas	$134.42	12.11 ¢/kWh	1,110 kWh	21
California	$157.34	29.41 ¢/kWh	535 kWh	37
Colorado	$101.10	14.61 ¢/kWh	692 kWh	3
Connecticut	$192.75	26.92 ¢/kWh	716 kWh	49
Delaware	$162.13	17.23 ¢/kWh	941 kWh	42
Florida	$170.87	15.38 ¢/kWh	1,111 kWh	45
Georgia	$144.45	13.18 ¢/kWh	1,096 kWh	29
Hawaii	$224.18	43.53 ¢/kWh	515 kWh	50
Idaho	$116.08	11.55 ¢/kWh	1,005 kWh	11
Illinois	$113.26	15.73 ¢/kWh	720 kWh	7
Indiana	$139.08	14.64 ¢/kWh	950 kWh	24
Iowa	$113.75	12.81 ¢/kWh	888 kWh	8
Kansas	$123.05	13.26 ¢/kWh	928 kWh	18
Kentucky	$143.64	13.13 ¢/kWh	1,094 kWh	28
Louisiana	$139.96	11.37 ¢/kWh	1,231 kWh	27
Maine	$159.86	27.42 ¢/kWh	583 kWh	38
Maryland	$168.24	17.38 ¢/kWh	968 kWh	44
Massachusetts	$163.00	28.25 ¢/kWh	577 kWh	43
Michigan	$120.23	18.44 ¢/kWh	652 kWh	15
Minnesota	$111.23	14.39 ¢/kWh	773 kWh	5
Mississippi	$161.89	13.65 ¢/kWh	1,186 kWh	41
Missouri	$131.29	12.19 ¢/kWh	1,077 kWh	20
Montana	$114.50	12.61 ¢/kWh	908 kWh	9
Nebraska	$118.48	11.36 ¢/kWh	1,043 kWh	12
Nevada	$160.66	17.11 ¢/kWh	939 kWh	39
New Hampshire	$160.98	25.84 ¢/kWh	623 kWh	40
New Jersey	$119.62	17.54 ¢/kWh	682 kWh	13
New Mexico	$95.69	14.52 ¢/kWh	659 kWh	2
New York	$134.50	22.72 ¢/kWh	592 kWh	22
North Carolina	$146.11	13.63 ¢/kWh	1,072 kWh	30
North Dakota	$120.18	10.74 ¢/kWh	1,119 kWh	14
Ohio	$137.57	15.74 ¢/kWh	874 kWh	23
Oklahoma	$139.52	12.08 ¢/kWh	1,155 kWh	25
Oregon	$122.51	12.95 ¢/kWh	946 kWh	16
Pennsylvania	$154.66	18.11 ¢/kWh	854 kWh	35
Rhode Island	$184.18	31.27 ¢/kWh	589 kWh	48
South Carolina	$153.52	14.11 ¢/kWh	1,088 kWh	33
South Dakota	$128.23	12.12 ¢/kWh	1,058 kWh	19
Tennessee	$150.64	12.68 ¢/kWh	1,188 kWh	31
Texas	$172.11	14.61 ¢/kWh	1,178 kWh	46
Utah	$86.36	11.03 ¢/kWh	783 kWh	1
Vermont	$122.52	21.57 ¢/kWh	568 kWh	17
Virginia	$151.93	13.99 ¢/kWh	1,086 kWh	32
Washington	$112.24	11.08 ¢/kWh	1,013 kWh	6
West Virginia	$155.09	14.44 ¢/kWh	1,074 kWh	36
Wisconsin	$114.57	16.75 ¢/kWh	684 kWh	10
Wyoming	$103.00	11.56 ¢/kWh	891 kWh	4
United States	$145.55	16.19 ¢/kWh	899 kWh

Energy Efficiency:

How you use electricity and the efficiency of your appliances impact overall energy consumption. Leaving lights and devices on constantly increases kWh usage. Energy-efficient appliances, like those with Energy Star certification, use fewer kWh, reducing your overall consumption. The insulation of your home also affects energy usage; well-insulated homes require less electricity for heating and cooling.

Weather and Seasons:

Despite careful planning and energy-saving efforts, weather conditions can impact your electricity usage. During extreme temperatures, like a heatwave in summer or a freezing day in winter, heating or cooling systems may work harder, leading to increased kWh consumption.

Understanding these factors helps you grasp the dynamics of your home's electricity usage. While some elements are beyond your control, making conscious choices about energy-efficient practices and appliances can contribute to managing and potentially reducing your overall electricity consumption.

How Many kwh Per Day Is Normal?

According to recent data from the US Energy Information Administration, the average US household consumes about 29 kWh per day, totaling around 870 kWh per month.

However, it's important to note that daily electricity consumption can vary significantly based on factors such as location, home size, and the number of occupants.

For instance, in the warm and humid South, it's common to use approximately 37 kWh per day, particularly to run air conditioning day and night for a significant part of the year. On the other hand, in the Northeast and West, where climates are more moderate, the normal daily usage is around 23 kWh, as less energy is needed for heating and cooling.

It's crucial to recognize that climate conditions and daily electricity usage can differ even within each region.

Is 40 kwh Per Day Considered High?

Yes, it is notably higher than the average household consumption of 29 kWh per day. However, it's entirely normal for homes with a size of 3,000 square feet or more and/or with five or more members, especially in the South!

The chart below illustrates the average daily electricity consumption based on the number of people in a home.

Each additional member of the household adds to activities like laundry, device charging, hot water usage, leaving lights on, and maintaining the home at a comfortable temperature. Once you reach five members, it's quite common to have a daily consumption near or above 40 kWh.

It's crucial to recognize that having high daily consumption, like 40 kWh, creates a significant opportunity for savings by transitioning to solar energy. Similar to many products, the pricing for solar projects (measured in dollars per watt) improves as the project size increases. This allows you to reduce your cost per unit of electricity, surpassing the savings potential of homes with smaller solar projects. Moreover, with higher kWh usage, you have more opportunities to save on your energy bill.

How To Use Less Electricity

The two most effective ways to decrease your electricity usage involve practicing energy conservation and making energy-efficient upgrades to your home.

To initiate the process of reducing your energy consumption, consider conducting a home energy audit. You can either hire a professional for this task or use our DIY Energy Audit Checklist. These audits pinpoint areas where you may be losing the most energy, helping you identify necessary changes.

For example, if your old windows are letting out hot or cold air, or if you're still using incandescent lightbulbs, you'll end up requiring more electricity to maintain the right temperature and keep your lights on. Addressing issues like drafty windows and switching to energy-efficient LEDs helps you cut back on wasted kWh. You might even find that installing a smart thermostat aligns with your needs.

Changing your habits to conserve energy is another effective way to use fewer kWh. Simple actions like turning off lights when leaving a room or opting for open windows instead of air conditioning can make a significant impact!

Not only do these changes reduce your electricity usage, but they also lead to lower electricity bills. While some improvements might require an initial investment, the long-term energy savings make it a worthwhile endeavor.

Reduce Your Cost Per kWh with Solar

Every household has its unique daily electricity usage, and what's considered "normal" varies. Controlling electricity consumption can be challenging, especially with the impact of heating, cooling, and climate conditions.

However, there's a way to take control of the price you pay per kWh of electricity—installing solar panels. By connecting with an Energy Advisor, you can explore the potential savings that solar energy offers. It's a proactive step toward managing your electricity costs and contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective energy solution for your home.