US Total Annual Energy Efficiency Realized Savings (MWh) by Sector
This dataset reports annual first-year electricity savings from U.S. energy efficiency programs by customer sector, including residential, commercial, and industrial programs. Savings values are aggregated at the national level and presented by calendar year from 2013 through 2019, representing the estimated reduction in electricity consumption attributable to efficiency measures implemented during each reporting year. All values are expressed in megawatt-hours (MWh).
Last updated: 2019
How to Read This Chart
This line chart shows annual realized energy efficiency savings in the United States by sector, measured in megawatt-hours (MWh), from 2013 through 2019. Each line represents a different sector — Residential, Commercial, Industrial — along with a line showing total savings across all sectors. The horizontal axis shows the calendar year, while the vertical axis shows the amount of electricity savings achieved in each year. Changes in the slope of each line indicate increases or decreases in realized savings over time, and the relative position of the lines highlights how savings are distributed across sectors.
Why This Matters
Energy efficiency savings reflect the real, measurable reductions in electricity consumption achieved through programs and initiatives across different sectors. Residential and commercial programs account for the majority of realized savings, while industrial savings are smaller but more consistent, reflecting differences in customer participation and program design. Tracking realized savings over time helps policymakers, utilities, and regulators assess program effectiveness, return on investment, and long-term impacts on electricity demand. For researchers and consumers, this data provides transparency into how efficiency programs contribute to lowering energy use, reducing system costs, and supporting broader energy and climate goals.
Key Insights
The following highlights are derived directly from the most recent available data in this dataset using standardized calculations. Metrics reflect aggregate electricity savings across all reported sectors and are computed from the underlying time series. Unless otherwise noted, comparisons are based on the most recent complete reporting year and prior comparable periods. These highlights provide a concise snapshot of energy efficiency savings by sector.
Total first-year electricity savings in 2019: approximately 57.1 million MWh, an increase of 0.5% year-over-year compared with 2018.
Savings shares in 2019: Residential programs accounted for 46.5% of total savings, followed by Commercial (44.5%) and Industrial (8.9%).
Largest year-over-year change (2019 vs. 2018): Residential electricity savings increased by approximately 1.6 million MWh, the largest absolute change among all sectors.
Definitions
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| First-year electricity savings | The estimated reduction in electricity consumption during the first year following implementation of energy efficiency measures. |
| Energy efficiency programs | Utility- or state-administered initiatives designed to reduce electricity consumption through efficiency improvements. |
| Megawatt-hour (MWh) | A unit of energy equal to one megawatt of power sustained for one hour. |