Revenue from Contracts with Customers - BHE - Real Estate Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Customer Revenue	$ 5,138	$ 4,357	$ 14,049	$ 11,190
Operating revenue	6,968	6,193	19,113	15,332
Real estate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenue	1,743	1,742	4,738	3,828
Other revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenue	87	94	326	314
HomeServices
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenue	1,743	1,742	4,738	3,828
HomeServices | Real estate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Customer Revenue	1,586	1,472	4,219	3,237
Operating revenue	1,743	1,742	4,738	3,828
HomeServices | Brokerage
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Customer Revenue	1,563	1,449	4,154	3,183
HomeServices | Franchise
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total Customer Revenue	23	23	65	54
HomeServices | Other revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenue	$ 157	$ 270	$ 519	$ 591