The History of Home Energy Use in the U.S.

Not many of us use a wood-burning stove to stay warm during the winter, but in 1875, that was the main source of home heating. Now, many homes in the U.S. either use natural gas or electricity to cool and heat their homes. Currently, 83% of our electricity comes from fossil fuels and although many people hope to clean up the electric grid and electrify their homes, we are a long way off from making significant changes. Other homeowners are embracing renewable energy by using solar panels and even small wind electric systems.

As you jump into a hot shower or do a load of laundry, are you aware of the amount of energy you’re consuming? Almost half of home energy consumption comes from space heating (42%) with electronics and appliances taking the next big piece of the pie. As population grows, so does energy consumption. Although petroleum and natural gas still dominate U.S. energy consumption, coal has been declining and renewables are on the rise. 

The infographic below from The Zebra shows a brief history of where our energy comes from, changes in how it’s being used, and what the future of energy could look like. 

Solar, wind, and geothermal energy could drastically transform how energy looks over the next 50 years—if we take steps to use them. Reducing our carbon footprint should be a common goal for everyone. There are small steps you can take every day to live more sustainably, from making green home updates to driving cleaner.