Retail Sales of Electricity Per Population
Total sales of electricity in Arizona have grown along with the state's population, although sales per person have declined since 2007. Electricity sales in Arizona include residential, commercial, and industrial sales. The percentage of residential sales has increased from 37.1% of total sales in 1990 to 43.9% in 2012. During the same time period, commercial sales have increased from 33.1 % to 39.6% of the total, while industrial sales have decreased from 24.2% to 16.6%.
Retail sales per household have gradually declined since 2007, but have generally increased since 1990 although there have been fluctuations in this trend. Reduced household and total use (sales) of electricity saves money for the consumer and allows a greater percentage of our energy needs to be met by renewable energy sources.
Households can cut down on electricity use by buying Energy Star appliances and conserving energy in the home wherever possible. According to the Arizona Department of Commerce’s Energy Office, “phantom energy” may take tiny bits of energy from electric outlets in their homes, and may include electrical cords for appliances, device chargers, electronics and other items left plugged in that sap energy, even if they are turned off or not in use. The most likely culprits are appliances that power clocks or timers and/or can be turned on or off with a remote control. “Phantom” loads are estimated to account for 10% of household power-consumption.
Visual 1: Energy data:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/sales_state.xls, Retail Sales of Electricity by State by Sector by Provider (EIA-861).
Population data: http://www.census.gov/popest/data/, U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Intercensal Estimates.
Visual 2: Retail sales per Residential Household were calculated using total retail sales and number of residential customers:
Retail Sales of Electricity by State by Sector by Provider (EIA-861):
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/sales_state.xls
Number of Retail Customers by State by Sector (EIA-861):
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/customers_state.xls
Regarding Revenue from Retail Sales of Electricity by State by Sector by Provider (EIA-861): Beginning in 2003 the "Other" Sector has been eliminated. Data previously assigned to the "Other" Sector has been reclassified as follows: Lighting for public buildings, streets, and highways, interdepartmental sales, and other sales to public authorities are now included in the Commercial Sector; agricultural and irrigation sales where separately identified are now included in the Industrial Sector; and a new sector, Transportation, now includes electrified rail and various urban transit systems (such as automated guideway, trolley, and cable) where the principal propulsive energy source is electricity. Comparisons of data across years should include consideration of these reclassification changes.
Retail sales per Residential Household were calculated using total retail sales and number of residential customers. The assumption was made that one customer (meter) was equal to one household.
Retail Sales of Electricity in Arizona per Population
Visualization Notes:
Sales of electricity have increased concurrently with the state’s increasing population. Both sales and sales per person have declined since 2007, although sales are once again increasing as the economy rebounds.
Retail Sales per Residential Household (KWh)
Visualization Notes:
Retail sales of electricity per household have generally increased over the years, although there have been fluctuations in sales with the last peak in 2007. Decreased sales since 2007 may be the result of customers practicing greater conservation measures and installing more efficient appliances or also a result of the economic downturn.
Data Source
Visual 1: Energy data:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/sales_state.xls, Retail Sales of Electricity by State by Sector by Provider (EIA-861).
Population data: http://www.census.gov/popest/data/, U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Intercensal Estimates.
Visual 2: Retail sales per Residential Household were calculated using total retail sales and number of residential customers:
Retail Sales of Electricity by State by Sector by Provider (EIA-861):
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/sales_state.xls
Number of Retail Customers by State by Sector (EIA-861):
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/customers_state.xls