Energy report says most used for heating

U.S. households use the most energy heating their homes and their water, accounting for 62 percent of total household energy consumption, according to the Energy Department.

But the cost of that heat represents only 44 percent of the average household energy bill because the energy for hot showers and warm air is generated primarily from low-cost natural gas. Other fuel supplies for the heat include electricity, propane and fuel oil.

Air conditioning is the third biggest household use of energy nationwide, according to the government, followed by lighting, televisions, refrigerators and clothes dryers. The power it takes to cook rounds out the list.

Households in apartments tend to use less heat than singlefamily houses because the surrounding apartments act as insulation. Apartments also tend to be smaller than detached houses, and that reduces the amount of heating apartments require.