Unaudited Quarterly Operating Results - MidAmerican Funding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues										$ 17,422	$ 17,880	$ 17,326
Operating income (loss)										4,251	4,328	4,046
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders										2,542	2,370	2,095
MidAmerican Funding, LLC and Subsidiaries [Domain]
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 623	$ 797	$ 585	$ 626	$ 531		$ 576	$ 727	$ 681	2,631	2,515	2,844
Operating income (loss)	42	284	140	100	29		112	101	209	566	451	395
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent					(7)	$ 230	124	95		532	442	393
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent					6	$ 1	5	4		0	16	16
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 14	$ 318	$ 127	$ 73	$ (1)		$ 129	$ 99	$ 231	$ 532	$ 458	$ 409