HOME COMFORT DATA
A practical reference for homeowners, writers, and anyone following how U.S. homes heat, cool, and use energy. Every figure below links to its original source.
Last updated September 28, 2026
Heating and cooling decisions affect comfort, energy use, and the systems homeowners rely on through every season. These figures bring useful national data together in one place, with the source year shown for each statistic.
132.5M
The first release of the 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey covers the homes where Americans live full-time, providing a current baseline for home energy and comfort data.
2024 data, released March 2026U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey
Nearly 17,000
The survey included homes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, helping make its national housing and energy findings a useful reference point.
2024 survey, released May 2026U.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey
88%
The Midwest had one of the country’s highest rates of air-conditioning use, at 92% of households in 2020.
2020 dataU.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey
2 in 3
Central systems are the main cooling equipment for most U.S. households, according to the national residential energy survey.
2020 dataU.S. Energy Information Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey
47%
Electricity was the main heating fuel in 42% of homes in 2024, showing how closely the two leading fuel choices now track.
2024 dataU.S. Energy Information Administration using U.S. Census Bureau data
254B kWh
Air conditioning represented about 19% of all electricity consumed in U.S. homes in 2020.
2020 dataU.S. Energy Information Administration, Air conditioning electricity use FAQ
13.2M
The U.S. Census Bureau reported this result from the 2023 American Housing Survey, underlining why dependable cooling matters.
Up to 20%
ENERGY STAR notes that duct improvements can make a meaningful difference, particularly when ducts run through unconditioned spaces.
Source checked September 28, 2026ENERGY STAR, Heat & Cool Efficiently
Up to 30%
Correct sizing and installation are part of getting the performance a heating or cooling system was designed to deliver.
Source checked September 28, 2026ENERGY STAR, Heat & Cool Efficiently
WHAT THE DATA SUGGESTS
Air conditioning is now standard in most U.S. homes, especially across the Midwest. When cooling is unreliable, the impact reaches far beyond a warm afternoon.
System choice, duct condition, and careful installation all shape whether heating and cooling equipment can perform as expected.
Because heating and cooling account for a substantial share of home energy use, maintenance and practical efficiency improvements can matter to both comfort and household costs.
METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES
The figures on this page are drawn from the original publications of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, and ENERGY STAR. The source year varies because national surveys and public guidance are released on different schedules. Use the source link beneath each statistic for the full definition, scope, and underlying data.
Kens Heating and Air Conditioning. “Home Heating and Cooling Statistics: U.S. Data for 2026.” Updated September 28, 2026. https://kensheatingandair.com/heating-cooling-statistics
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