88%
of U.S. households used air conditioning.
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
HOME COMFORT DATA
HOME HEATING AND COOLING STATISTICS: U.S. DATA FOR 2026
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 August 28, 2026
THE BIG PICTURE
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.
2 in 3
U.S. households used central AC or a central heat pump as their main cooling equipment.
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%
of U.S. homes used natural gas as their main space-heating fuel.
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
of U.S. household electricity use went to air conditioning.
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
households were uncomfortably hot for 24 hours or more.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported this result from the 2023 American Housing Survey, underlining why dependable cooling matters.
Up to 20%
efficiency improvement is possible from sealing and insulating ducts.
ENERGY STAR notes that duct improvements can make a meaningful difference, particularly when ducts run through unconditioned spaces.
Source checked August 28, 2026ENERGY STAR, Heat & Cool Efficiently
Up to 30%
of system efficiency can be lost through improper installation.
Correct sizing and installation are part of getting the performance a heating or cooling system was designed to deliver.
Source checked August 28, 2026ENERGY STAR, Heat & Cool Efficiently
WHAT THE DATA SUGGESTS
COMFORT DEPENDS ON MORE THAN THE EQUIPMENT.
COOLING IS A CORE HOME SYSTEM
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.
INSTALLATION DETAILS MATTER
System choice, duct condition, and careful installation all shape whether heating and cooling equipment can perform as expected.
ENERGY USE IS SEASONAL
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
HOW TO USE THESE STATISTICS
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.
CITE THIS PAGE
Kens Heating and Air Conditioning. “Home Heating and Cooling Statistics: U.S. Data for 2026.” Updated August 28, 2026. https://kensheatingandair.com/heating-cooling-statistics
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