Schedule I Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income Schedule I Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 2,568	$ 2,870	$ 2,542
Net income	2,591	2,910	2,570
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(462)	1,113	(603)
Comprehensive income	2,129	4,023	1,967
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	23	40	28
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	2,106	3,983	1,939
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	2,568	2,870	2,542
Net income	2,571	2,873	2,545
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(462)	1,113	(603)
Comprehensive income	2,109	3,986	1,942
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	3	3
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	2,106	3,983	1,939
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	669	574	532
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	3
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 669	$ 574	$ 535