Heating degree days, an indicator of heating-related energy demand, were 1% lower in 2017 compared with 2016 levels
U.S. retail electricity sales fell by 80 billion kilowatthours (kWh) in 2017, the largest drop since the economic recession in 2009, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The 2% decrease in 2017 reflects lower retail sales in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors and is largely attributable to milder weather. Total electricity retail sales in 2017 were 3,682 billion kWh, nearly identical to the levels seen more than a decade before, in 2006.
Although factors such as electricity prices, energy efficiency, and macroeconomic cycles play a role in the use of electricity in each sector, most of the year-over-year changes in sales in 2017 were attributable to changes in weather.
With few exceptions, air conditioning and other cooling equipment is powered by electricity, so warmer weather in summer months often results in greater use of air conditioning and higher retail electricity sales.
Cooling degree days, an indicator of cooling-related energy demand, were 9% lower in 2017 compared with 2016 levels, indicating a cooler summer in 2017 and less demand for air conditioning.
Although fuels other than electricity such as natural gas, heating oil, and propane can be used to generate heat, electricity use also increases in colder weather. Heating degree days, an indicator of heating-related energy demand, were 1% lower in 2017 compared with 2016 levels.
In the South census region, where homes and businesses are more likely to heat with electricity, 2017 heating degree days were 8% to 10% lower than in 2016.
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