Heating and stoves are gas based (ovens usually not though); going over the limit is not usual, the only common problem is when using air conditioning in summer which is becoming more widespread, and so are higher power contracts (we're not talking more than 6kW, though).
According to my utility, I consume annually 2660kWh, that is 300W average, much less than the 1.2KW for an American household.
Note that for home contracts the limit (and billing) is on power, not amps, so using inductive or reactive loads will not penalize you.
