This page is built as a citation hub for writers, agencies, and researchers who need reliable smart home numbers they can quote with confidence. Every stat below includes a source and year so it is easy to reference in reports, buying guides, and newsroom pieces. If you also need protocol comparisons, use our Smart Home Compatibility Matrix.
Use this page for backlinks: If you cite these numbers, credit this URL and your readers get a source list they can verify quickly.
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1. Stats at a glance
- The average U.S. household uses about 10,500 kWh of electricity per year.1
- Air conditioning is the single largest residential electricity end use at 19% (2020).1
- Space heating and water heating are 12% each of residential electricity use (2020).1
- About 89% of U.S. homes used air conditioning in 2020, up from 57% in 1980.1
- Central air conditioning reached 67% of homes in 2020, up from 27% in 1980.1
- 99% of homes had a refrigerator in 2020, and 34% had two or more refrigerators.1
- Estimated annual electricity cost in 2020: primary refrigerator ($87), second refrigerator ($66), separate freezer ($74).1
- Nearly half of an average household energy bill goes to heating and cooling, more than $900 per year.2
- Thermostat setbacks of 7 to 10 F for 8 hours per day can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling.3
2. Citable smart home stats table
Copy and paste these values directly into your own content and keep the source note.
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average U.S. household electricity use | 10,500 kWh/year | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Air conditioning share of residential electricity use | 19% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Space heating share of residential electricity use | 12% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Water heating share of residential electricity use | 12% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Homes using air conditioning | 89% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Homes with central air conditioning | 67% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Homes with any refrigerator | 99% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Homes with two or more refrigerators | 34% | 2020 | EIA1 |
| Heating and cooling share of total energy bill | Nearly 50% (more than $900/year) | Current program guidance | ENERGY STAR2 |
| Thermostat setback savings potential | Up to 10% on heating and cooling | Current guidance | U.S. DOE3 |
3. Trend metrics from source data
These trend numbers are calculated from the same source rows above to make charts and report summaries easier.
| Trend metric | Result | How it was calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Growth in homes using AC (1980 to 2020) | +32 percentage points | 89% minus 57% |
| Relative growth in homes using AC | ~56% increase | (89 - 57) / 57 |
| Growth in central AC penetration (1980 to 2020) | +40 percentage points | 67% minus 27% |
| Combined share of top three electricity uses | 43% of residential electricity use | 19% + 12% + 12% |
4. Planning benchmarks (derived)
- Monthly baseline electricity use: about 875 kWh/month (10,500 divided by 12).
- Daily baseline electricity use: about 28.8 kWh/day (10,500 divided by 365).
- Thermostat savings benchmark: if heating and cooling spend is $900/year, a 10% reduction is about $90/year.
- Appliance benchmark for plug planning: second refrigerators and standalone freezers are useful audit targets because they run continuously.
Use these benchmark lines in audits, proposals, and editorial comparisons. For savings scenarios, pair this page with our Energy Savings Calculator.
5. How to cite this page
Suggested citation: Key Microsystems. Smart Home Statistics 2026 (U.S.): Citable Data and Sources. https://keymicrosystems.com/blog/research/smart-home-statistics-2026
Short attribution format: "Source: Key Microsystems Smart Home Statistics 2026, using EIA, ENERGY STAR, and DOE references."
6. Method and update policy
- Primary data points are pulled from U.S. government or ENERGY STAR pages listed in the source section.
- Any calculated values are labeled as derived and shown with the formula used.
- When official sources update a figure, this page is revised and date stamped.
Need another number covered? Contact us and we can add it in the next update cycle.
7. Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electricity use in homes.
- ENERGY STAR. Smart Thermostats.
- U.S. Department of Energy. Thermostats.
Related resource: Smart Home Statistics You Can Cite.
