Summary of Significant Accounting Policies New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - BHE - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets		$ 291
Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets		3
Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 [Member] | Deferred Income Taxes [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets		288
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets		197
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets		50
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets		$ 147
Retained Earnings [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets	$ 56
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets	$ 11