Do we use Oil to power our homes, and cities?

Question

I feel stupid for having to ask this, but nowhere I look can I get a definite answer.

Is oil used to power our homes and, cities? Or is it used strictly for petroleum products (ex. makeup, plastic, ect.), and gasoline?

And if it is used to power our Country (not including vehicles) how much of our energy is from oil?

Answer 1

Also,...oil is used for heating homes in the northern climates. Its not just the oil, but the by-products that come from the oil that we all use each and every day.

Answer 2

When you turn on the lights at night, your refrigerator, TV, Cell phone, you are using oil that runs the generator to produce electricity

Answer 3

Okay, let's see.  Yes, oil and natural gas (which is recovered and marketed about like oil) is used to "power" homes, directly for heating, indirectly because a lot of electricity is generated by oil  and gas.

The petroleum we use is about 40% used for Gasoline, with the majority going to Plastics, Electric Generation, and all those other things.

Total numbers:  about 80% of the energy we use, for all purposes, comes from petroleum, natural gas and coal.  About 20% comes from "other" sources, including Nuclear, Hydroelectric (dams), solar, wind, geo-thermal, etc.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, our whole energy infrastructure is built around inexpensive oil - countless products and materials, gasoline, diesel, heating oil - even the grease that fixes the proverbial squeaky wheel.

And even more unfortunate is the fact that inexpensive oil is a thing of the past - and I doubt it will ever return.

Answer 5

Oil, in the form of natural gas, powers about 30% of American industry, including electricity for homes.  About 50% is from coal, and 10% from nuclear.