COUNTRIES · NORTH AMERICA
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United States

Heat is 33% of the energy the United States uses.

The United States is a high-income country in North America with 342 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 33% of the energy it uses, well below the world average of about 47%.

Natural gas is the largest source of heat (74%). In total, 88% of the heat comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity, apart from household heating, makes up 22% of energy use and is generated mainly from fossil fuels (59%).

The country

Population342 million2025
GDP per capitaUS$ 90,0002025
Area9,831,500 km²2024
Urban population80%2025
Access to electricity100%2024
Access to clean cooking100%2024
Final energy use16,476 TWh2023

Where the energy goes

Final energy use in the United States, 2023: 16,476 TWh.
Heat: 33%33%Electricity: 22%22%Transport: 45%45%
  • Heat33%
  • Electricity22%
  • Transport45%

Heat in five numbers

Heatshare of all final energy use33%
Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas88%
Natural gasthe largest single source of heat74%
Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport and household heating22%
Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas59%

Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture, plus the electricity households use for heating, hot water and cooking. Electricity that becomes heat in offices and industry is counted as electricity, so the true heat share is somewhat higher. Fossil heat and the largest source are shares of the fuel and district heating part.

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