Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,993	$ 4,554	$ 9,433	$ 8,720
Sales revenue from energy operations	3,720	3,598	7,399	7,179
Real estate	1,273	956	2,034	1,541
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(739)	(660)	(1,443)	(1,270)
Depreciation and amortization	750	670	1,466	1,292
Operating income	972	1,045	1,843	2,012
Interest expense	461	457	927	915
Capitalized interest	15	10	27	20
Allowance for equity funds	24	18	45	35
Interest and dividend income	32	27	58	53
(Losses) gains on marketable securities, net	(387)	2	(596)	5
Other, net	1	(1)	31	25
Income before income tax expense and equity income	196	644	481	1,235
Assets	90,941		90,941		$ 90,208
PacifiCorp [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	1,193	1,245	2,377	2,526
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(197)	(202)	(399)	(398)
Operating income	284	333	531	672
Interest expense	96	95	192	190
Assets	23,124		23,124		23,086
MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	718	659	1,465	1,355
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(208)	(141)	(366)	(258)
Operating income	87	131	166	233
Interest expense	61	59	124	118
Assets	18,998		18,998		18,444
NV Energy, Inc. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	750	753	1,367	1,337
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(114)	(106)	(227)	(210)
Operating income	144	192	233	290
Interest expense	59	58	117	116
Assets	14,311		14,311		13,903
Northern Powergrid Holdings [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	246	219	524	464
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(64)	(52)	(127)	(101)
Operating income	111	100	258	240
Interest expense	36	33	73	64
Assets	7,537		7,537		7,565
BHE Pipeline Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	236	192	612	507
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(30)	(43)	(72)	(73)
Operating income	57	54	283	262
Interest expense	10	10	20	22
Assets	5,194		5,194		5,134
BHE Transmission [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	177	158	357	324
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(61)	(53)	(123)	(107)
Operating income	81	73	162	150
Interest expense	42	39	85	80
Assets	8,644		8,644		9,009
BHE Renewables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	246	220	400	364
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	(66)	(63)	(130)	(124)
Operating income	104	84	132	99
Interest expense	49	52	101	102
Assets	8,343		8,343		7,687
HomeServices [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Real estate	1,273	956	2,034	1,541
Depreciation and amortization	11	10	23	22
Operating income	108	110	100	112
Interest expense	6	1	10	2
Assets	3,213		3,213		2,722
Berkshire Hathaway Energy And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue from energy operations	154	152	297	302
Depreciation and amortization - energy operations	1	0	1	1
Operating income	(4)	(32)	(22)	(46)
Interest expense	102	110	205	221
Assets	1,577		1,577		$ 2,658
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,570	4,177	8,548	7,924
Income before income tax expense and equity income	93	529	211	952
UNITED KINGDOM
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	245	219	522	464
Income before income tax expense and equity income	49	62	161	164
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	177	158	357	324
Income before income tax expense and equity income	41	38	82	80
The Philippines and other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1	0	6	8
Income before income tax expense and equity income	$ 13	$ 15	$ 27	$ 39