Washington's Energy Indicators

8.  Residential Sector Trends — End-Use Energy Consumption by Fuel

Source: Energy Information Administration

GROWTH IN HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION HAS SLOWED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS, WHILE GROWTH IN NATURAL GAS USE HAS ACCELERATED. WOOD AND OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

Electricity accounts for the majority of residential energy consumption, but average electricity use per household has declined since 1980. Growth in natural gas consumption has accelerated; residential sector gas use grew at 1.9 percent per year between 1980 and 1985, 3.9 percent per year between 1985 and 1990, and 5.7 percent per year between 1990 and 1995.

Consumption of firewood grew in the late 1970s and early 1980s in response to high heating oil prices. Environmental restrictions and the increasing popularity of gas appliances have contributed to declining wood consumption in the last ten years. Home heating oil consumption continues to fall, from 300 gallons per household in 1970 to less than 50 gallons in 1995.

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