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By far more energy goes to heating than air conditioning, but a lot of heating in the US is natural gas (or oil in the northeast), especially in the colder places. About 43% of household energy use is heating and only 8% is air conditioning.[1]

But for overall household electricity use, air conditioning is 17% and heating is 15% (all houses, not just all-electric houses). [2]

[1] https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/homes.php

[2] https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/electricit...



Until I started working in the energy industry, I never considered that even gas heating consumes a lot of electricity because of the blower fan and ignition coils. Our blower fan is 0.5 HP, which is over 300 W. The bulk of our electricity expense has been on heat, even though we have gas heat!


Good point, I've realized the same. My electricity bill increases a higher percentage in winter than my gas bill. Our house has two furnaces and they use a lot of electricity


Up here in Alaska, heating your house with electricity would be asinine if you have any other option.


Heat pumps are becoming widespread in Scandinavia, especially Norway — even though Norway is rich in fossil fuels.

Alaska is colder, but: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/heat-pumps-alaska-oil-energy...


I think that’s only because it’s more expensive. Whether you heat with electricity or with gas/petrol you still need the same amount of energy.


Not if you use heat pumps...


> I think that’s only because it’s more expensive.

Well, sure it is - and that doesn't look to be changing any time soon.


In time places like Alaska may well depopulate.


More space for me.




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