You make a good point about the trend toward increasing use with each
generation. Whether that trend will continue is hard to say.

We plug in a lot more stuff but it is generally lower wattage than our parents.
A new TV is really more like a big lamp. You could cook a chicken in one of
those old tube sets.
Central heating and A/C has taken the place of space heaters and window shaker
A/C units. People are finally starting to discover compact flourecent bulbs.