Average Electricity Usage According to Home Square Footage

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How much energy usage is normal?

One of the largest factors influencing your energy usage is your home size. Our energy experts compiled data from our marketplace to help Texans understand average power consumption levels based on home square footage. Use this data as a benchmark to learn if your consumption patterns are “normal”. You can also use this insight to find an energy plan that matches your typical usage. Given that electricity usage varies during different seasons, the following table shows a monthly usage average based on data from 2020–2024.

Caption: Average electricity usage in kWh based on home size. The home size square footage includes all home types, such as single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, etc.

Keep in mind that your actual usage may differ from the averages found in our data. Additional factors such as location, time of year, energy habits, appliances, and more impact electricity consumption.

Why does energy usage change by home size?

Unsurprisingly, our data shows that larger homes use more energy. This is likely based on two main factors:

1. More space to heat, cool, and light
2. More residents are contributing to the overall usage

Heating and cooling are the largest consumers of energy in a home. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that heating and cooling, including water heating, account for 43% of residential energy consumption. Larger homes require more output from their HVAC unit to effectively heat and cool the space. Lighting is the second-largest energy consumer in residential homes, accounting for around 10.3% of annual usage.

Electricity usage is also influenced by the number of occupants in a home. Large homes typically have more occupants than smaller homes, and subsequently, more complex energy needs. Every device and electronic in your home, from cell phones to toaster ovens, uses energy. More individuals in a home mean more devices running simultaneously, which increases your overall power consumption.

Additional components to consider

There could be a few additional reasons your home uses more energy. Consider if any of these factors apply to you:

• Landscaping. Single-family homes typically have yards that require maintenance and contribute to your energy usage. If you have outdoor lights, a sprinkler system, or an outdoor kitchen, these will increase your kWh usage compared to someone who does not have a yard.
• Number of appliances. Consider how many appliances you have in your home. Many larger homes have numerous refrigerators and freezers, which require significant energy to run.
• Age of your home. Newer homes tend to be more energy efficient due to advancements in insulation, building materials, and windows. A newer home might have lower energy consumption than an aging one with outdated fixtures.
• Energy-efficient appliances. The type of appliances in your home can directly impact your energy bill. For example, an ENERGY STAR-certified clothes dryer uses 20% less energy than other models. Homes fitted with modern energy-efficient appliances could have lower consumption than homes with older appliances.
• Location. Certain locations across the country and within Texas have more intense microclimates. If you live in an area with severe weather, you could have higher energy consumption due to coping with the conditions.

Many pieces fit together and lead to the big picture of your energy consumption. While our energy experts believe home size is a driving factor, it’s not the only component to consider.

Usage variations by month

Our experts dove further into our energy usage data to discover trends throughout the year as the seasons change.

Caption: Electricity usage variations throughout the year based on common household square footage.

Our data analysts found that summer is the highest season for power consumption for all usage brackets, especially for large homes. Summer days in Texas frequently reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit with significant humidity, forcing homes and businesses to run their AC around the clock. Summer also coincides with hurricane season, which can place additional strains on electricity consumption as residents weather the storms. It’s no surprise that with such demanding energy needs, summer data spikes occur for all home sizes.

Another finding is that spring and fall offer a breath of fresh air as energy consumption tapers off. These seasons tend to have milder weather, which allows residents to rely on less cooling and heating, reducing their kWh usage.

Caption: Month-by-month energy usage fluctuations according to household square footage.

Match your energy usage to the right plan

You may be surprised to learn that deregulated energy plans often offer better rates for certain usage tiers. Shopping according to your usage patterns is essential to finding an affordable plan. Instead of picking the plan with the cheapest rate, do this instead:

1. Check the square footage of your home.
2. Enter your ZIP code on our marketplace and filter by your home size.
3. Compare plans tailored to your home’s square footage and average usage.
4. Sign up online or over the phone in minutes.

Our marketplace is designed to help you compare electricity rates and plans to find the best option for your home. Call our energy specialists if you have additional questions or want to sign up over the phone instead.

Our experts’ recommendations by usage level

It’s important to consider your home size and average usage level when shopping for an electricity plan. Our marketplace lets you sort and compare plans based on these features so you can sign up for the right fit. Here are some suggested plans from our energy experts based on usage level:

• If your usage is below 1,000 kWh, search for an energy plan with no usage minimums. The Simple Choice 12 from APG&E is a straightforward power plan with an energy rate that always stays the same, regardless of your usage.
• Many plans reward customers in the 1,000–1,999 kWh usage tier with bill credits. One of our favorites is the Maxx Saver Select 12 from 4Change Energy. Our experts love this plan because it offers a $100 bill credit when you use 1,000 kWh of electricity, and it is consistently one of our lowest rates on site.
• If you live in a large home that uses over 2,000 kWh of electricity, consider the Eco Saver Premier 24 plan from Gexa Energy. This plan offers one of the highest bill credits on our marketplace: $150 for using at least 2,000 kWh of energy.

Want to cut down your electricity usage?

The insights from this data can help you understand whether your typical consumption patterns match the average for your home size. If your household’s power usage exceeds the average for your home size, it might be time to reevaluate your energy habits. Here are a few strategies to reduce your energy consumption:

• Switch to LED light bulbs. These energy-efficient alternatives to incandescent bulbs use 75% less electricity and last 25 times longer.
• Invest in a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats regulate your home’s internal temperature for efficiency. This tool can help lower heating and cooling costs by automatically adjusting throughout the day.
• Lower your water heater. An easy trick to lower your heating costs is to lower your water heater temperature. This will decrease your electricity consumption because less energy is required to heat water.
• Make the leap to energy-efficient appliances. While they are a large investment, energy-efficient appliances can help tackle your everyday power consumption and lead to long-term savings.