Unaudited Quarterly Operating Results - MidAmerican Funding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 19,787	$ 18,614	$ 17,422
Operating income (loss)									4,072	4,522	4,247
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders									2,568	2,870	2,542
MidAmerican Funding, LLC and Subsidiaries [Domain]
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 756	$ 832	$ 718	$ 747	$ 676	$ 659	$ 696	$ 815	3,053	2,846	2,631
Operating income (loss)	106	278	87	79	27	131	102	284	550	544	551
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ (16)	$ 479	$ 103	$ 103	$ (42)	$ 131	$ 102	$ 383	$ 669	$ 574	$ 532