If you’ve been visiting Texas Electricity Ratings for a while now, you’re probably not surprised that the US holds the first place in electricity consumption per capita. Indeed, the average residential customer in the United States uses about 909 kWh per month, which results in about 1.909 kWh every year. On average, Americans use about 41% of energy on heating their spaces, and around 35% on lighting, appliances and electronics. Of course, not all of US’ states are the same.
The Biggest Users
The biggest users of energy are, from highest to lowest: Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and North Dakota. Louisiana uses about 1,273 kWh per month; in fact, the average consumption in a month is about 38.87% bigger than the US’ average. Tennessee has a 1,245 kWh per month consumption, which means it uses 33% more than the national average. On the other hand, this state has the 24th lowest electricity price in the US, which results to utility bills being around the average for the nation. Mississippi has a 1,220 kWh per month consumption, which means that individuals living there pay about $122 a month on average. The next state, Alabama, scores about 1,211 kWh per month in terms of consumption, which results in a monthly bill that’s about 26.17% bigger than the national average. Finally, North Dakota has a consumption of 1, 205 kWh per month. Now, while the energy consumption per household is among the higher one in the US, the total energy usage is among the lowest, thanks to a small population.
Texas
Texas comes right after North Dakota, with 1, 174 kWh per month. However, Texas is the US’ biggest electricity producer, providing plenty of energy obtained from wind. In addition, most of Texas has a deregulated energy market since 1999.
The Lowest Consumption States
The states that use up the least amount of energy are as follows: Rhode Island, Vermont, California, Maine and Hawaii. Rhode Island has a consumption of 602 KWh per month. They also have some of the highest rates of electricity costs in the US, with prices being at about 17.59 cents per kWh in 2015. In addition, this state adopted retail deregulation in 1997. Vermont comes next, with a consumption of 569 kWh per month, and California right after it, with 557 kWh per month. Now, California was actually the first state to implement a deregulated market. Homes in this state use only 27% on heating their spaces, with is much less than the US’ average, of 41%. In addition, California residents spend about 30% less on energy when compared to the average in the US.
Maine is the next state, using 551 kWh per month. Now, electricity costs over there are consistently some of the most expensive ones in the US. Nevertheless, because they have a usage that’s quite low overall, in addition to using natural gas ensures that most energy costs for households are kept very low. Finally, Hawaii has a 515 kWh per month usage, and while this may be the lowest, it also has the highest energy costs of all the states in the US.
How Does that Compare to Other Countries?
Every American uses just about 4,500 kWh per year in their household. This means that Americans are using 6 times the global average per capita. Interestingly, while Canada’s and US’ consumptions are about the same, if one is to look at UK and Germany, they will quickly notice that they have a consumption per household of less than 2,000 kWh in a year. Countries like China, Mexico and Brazil use about 500 kWh per capita per year, though it is important to keep their growth in mind too. Brazil has experienced a consumption that’s kept pretty much stable over the last two decades, while Mexico has raised theirs by 50%. China, on the other hand, has raised theirs by 600%.
The countries that are using the least amount of energy are India, with 131 kWh per capita per year, and Nigeria with 74 kWh per capita per year.
It is important to look at these kinds of comparisons, to understand where the US is currently standing, and to learn from other states within the US, as well as from other countries regarding where there is space for improvement.
