As people gain access to technologies and devices that generate, store, and use electricity, how and when they use electricity also changes. Here are a few ways technologies change how people use electricity. 

The average U.S. household used 10,791 kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2022.

Image of an EV whose outline is made of a charging cord above text reading "Electric Vehicles"

Households with EVs used an average of 2,363 kWh for EV charging in 2020. 

A Pecan Street analysis found that most EV drivers charge overnight, but almost a third charge during evening peak hours:

  • 6:00am - 3:00pm: 17%
  • 4:00pm - 9:00pm: 30%
  • 10:00pm - 5:00am: 53%
Timeline of when EV owners charging their vehicles, showing 17% from 6:00am - 3:00pm, 30% from 4:00pm - 9:00pm, and 53% from 10:00pm - 5:00am
Image of a house with a wi-fi signal at its center above the text "Smart Devices"

Smart devices shift usage patterns and aim to improve overall energy efficiency:

Image of a solar panel underneath the sun above the text "Solar and Storage"

While installing solar panels can lead to using less energy from the grid, installing solar panels tends to have a “rebound effect” where homes consume about 18% more electricity than they used before having onsite generation.

Homes with solar who also add battery storage typically increase their total usage by 324-591 kWh.

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Tags
Solar
Battery Storage
Topics
Energy Efficiency