EU household energy use fell for a third year in a row, Eurostat reports
Eurostat reports EU household energy use fell 0.2% in 2024 to 9.54 million terajoules, a third straight annual decline, with space heating the largest use.
Photo by Pawel Hordjewicz on Pexels
EU household energy use fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, according to data published by Eurostat on June 10, 2026. Households in the European Union consumed 9.54 million terajoules of energy, down 0.2% from 9.57 million terajoules in 2023 and below the 2021 peak of 10.98 million terajoules. The residential sector accounted for 26.0% of the EU’s final energy consumption in 2024, and most of that energy went to heating.
EU household energy use by source and trend
The 2024 total continues a decline that began after the 2021 peak. Natural gas remained the largest single source of energy used in EU homes, followed by electricity and by renewables and biofuels; the remainder came from other sources.
| Year | EU household energy use (million TJ) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 10.98 (peak) |
| 2023 | 9.57 |
| 2024 | 9.54 |
Source: Eurostat, June 10, 2026.
| Energy source (2024) | Share of household use |
|---|---|
| Natural gas | 29.4% |
| Electricity | 26.9% |
| Renewables and biofuels | 22.8% |
Source: Eurostat, June 10, 2026.
Where the energy goes: heating dominates
Space heating was the largest end use, at 61.5% of household energy, with water heating a further 15.6%. Compared with 2023, the energy used for space heating fell 1.2% and for cooking 0.9%, while space cooling rose 15.3% and lighting and electrical appliances rose 2.6%.
The rise in space cooling alongside the fall in space heating points to shifting demand within homes, even as the overall total edged down. For households, lower consumption links to the practical steps Winss Solutions has set out in 10 tips to reduce electricity consumption at home, while the system side of cleaner supply is covered in integrating resilient power systems with sustainable energy practices.
Background
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union and publishes annual data on energy use across the economy, including the residential sector, which is one of the largest end-use categories alongside transport and industry. Its household figures break consumption down by fuel and by end use, allowing year-on-year comparison on a consistent basis. The 2024 update shows household energy use has now fallen for three straight years from its 2021 peak, with heating still the dominant use and space cooling the fastest-rising one — a pattern Eurostat reports as the EU’s residential energy demand continues to ease.
Sources: Eurostat; Cyprus Mail
Featured image: photo by Pawel Hordjewicz on Pexels (free Pexels license).
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I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.
