A survey of residential-energy consumption in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia for the year 1410 A.H. (August 1989-July 1990) has been carried out to provide information concerning residential electrical energy-consumption patterns and to ascertain causes of failures. Monthly energy consumption of 17 randomly selected villas and 63 apartments was monitored. A comparison was then made with data provided by the Saudi Consolidated Electrical Company (SCECO). About 75% of the electrical energy consumption was used for space cooling. Maintenance records of a major air-conditioning service company were also reviewed. For 1990, maintenance services were performed on about 300 residential, central-type units (3-25 tons) and 400 window-type units (1.5-2.0 tons). A large number of air-conditioning unit problems are due to the local environment, which is dust-laden, corrosive and has high ambient temperatures and relative humidities.