When you pitch smart home upgrades to clients, stakeholders, or editors, you need credible numbers that are easy to cite. This post collects reliable stats from U.S. government and ENERGY STAR sources and explains how those numbers translate into smart home decisions. If you also need protocol guidance, start with our Smart Home Compatibility Matrix.

Quick use case: Add these stats to buying guides, energy audits, and automation proposals to justify thermostats, sensors, and plug level monitoring.

What you will find here

  1. Stats at a glance
  2. Energy load and usage stats
  3. Cooling and HVAC coverage
  4. Appliance baseline costs
  5. Suggested citation
  6. Sources

1. Stats at a glance

  • The average U.S. household consumes about 10,500 kWh of electricity per year.1
  • In 2020, air conditioning made up 19% of residential electricity use, while space heating and water heating were 12% each.1
  • About 89% of U.S. homes used air conditioning in 2020, up from 57% in 1980.1
  • Central air conditioning grew from 27% of homes in 1980 to 67% in 2020.1
  • Nearly all homes (99%) have a refrigerator, and 34% had two or more in 2020.1
  • The most-used refrigerator cost about $87 per year to run in 2020, while a second refrigerator cost $66 and a separate freezer cost $74.1
  • Almost half of the average household energy bill goes to heating and cooling, more than $900 per year.2
  • You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by setting the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees F for 8 hours a day.3

2. Energy load and usage stats

Smart thermostats, sensors, and scheduling target the biggest electricity loads first. The EIA data shows where the savings are most likely to land.

Largest residential electricity uses (2020) Share of use
Air conditioning 19%1
Space heating 12%1
Water heating 12%1

Why it matters: These are the loads where smart thermostats, leak sensors, and schedule based automation can pay back the fastest.

3. Cooling and HVAC coverage

Cooling coverage is a strong indicator of smart thermostat impact. The higher the penetration, the more likely smart controls make sense.

  • About 89% of U.S. homes used air conditioning in 2020, compared with 57% in 1980.1
  • Central air conditioning grew from 27% of homes in 1980 to 67% in 2020.1

If your audience is in a warmer region, these stats help justify a thermostat upgrade or smart vents before they chase smaller savings on lighting.

4. Appliance baseline costs

Smart plugs and energy monitoring start with understanding baseline costs. Refrigerators and freezers run 24/7, so they are useful anchors for comparing other devices.

  • Nearly all homes (99%) have a refrigerator, and 34% had two or more in 2020.1
  • The most-used refrigerator cost about $87 per year to run in 2020, while a second refrigerator cost $66 and a separate freezer cost $74.1

Use those numbers as benchmarks when you estimate the savings of powering down secondary appliances with smart plugs or schedules.

5. Suggested citation

Suggested citation: Key Microsystems. Smart Home Statistics You Can Cite. https://keymicrosystems.com/blog/research/connected-living-stats-sources

If you use these numbers in a report or guide, a backlink helps us keep the list updated and properly sourced. For more resources, browse the site sitemap.

6. Sources

  1. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electricity use in homes.
  2. ENERGY STAR. Smart Thermostats.
  3. U.S. Department of Energy. Thermostats.