Schedule I Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income Schedule I Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 2,870	$ 2,542	$ 2,370
Net income	2,910	2,570	2,400
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,113	(603)	(414)
Comprehensive income	4,023	1,967	1,986
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	40	28	30
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	3,983	1,939	1,956
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	2,870	2,542	2,370
Net income	2,873	2,545	2,373
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,113	(603)	(414)
Comprehensive income	3,986	1,942	1,959
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	3	3
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	3,983	1,939	1,956
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	574	532	458
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	3	(7)
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 574	$ 535	$ 451