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Energy

Consumption and Conservation

How much energy does the average person in the United States use in a year?

In 2009, the United States, energy use per person was about 308 million BTUs (British Thermal Units). A BTU, a common energy measurement, is defined as the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by 1°F. Below is energy use per person for selected years:

Year Energy Consumption per Person (Million BTU)
1950 227
1960 250
1970 331
1980 344
1990 339
2000 351
2005 340
2008 327
2009 308