According to DOEs Energy Information Administration, almost half of the average home’s energy consumption is used for heating. Another 17 percent is used for water heating, 6 percent for cooling rooms, and 5 percent for refrigeration.

This chart illustrates how energy is used in homes. Due to rounding, percentages may not add to exactly 100 percent. Source: DOE Energy Information Administration.

Source: Alliance to Save Energy www.ase.org

Fossil fuels account for the nearly all residential energy use. Displacing fossil fuel use with renewable energy resources such as solar can make a significant contribution to reducing harmful emissions that contribute to global warming. Using renewable energy resources like solar also can reduce dependence on the utility grid, and reduce energy costs.