Commercial and Institutional Consumption of Energy Survey

2004

Hotels and restaurants consumed energy at a higher rate than other commercial businesses, institutions and organizations in 2004, according to a new survey on energy use.

Data from the Commercial and Institutional Consumption of Energy Survey provide aggregate information on the energy consumption of commercial and institutional establishments in Canada.

Nationally, the survey found that the accommodations and food services sector had the highest gross energy intensity at 2.21 gigajoules per square metre in 2004. (The energy content of a 30-litre tank of gasoline equals about one gigajoule.)

The offices sector, which includes establishments in the public administration as well as three industries: financial and insurance; real estate and leasing; and professional, scientific and technical services, had the lowest gross energy intensity at 1.23 gigagoules per square metre.

Energy intensity is the total energy consumed in gigajoules by a business, institution or organization, divided by the total floor area of that business, institution or organization. Lower energy intensities are considered more efficient than higher intensities.

Gross energy intensity is simply the total energy consumed by type of business, institution or organization at the national level, divided by the corresponding national total of area in square metres.

Relative differences in gross energy intensity may be explained by the different natures of business conducted by different sectors. Sectors with higher energy intensities tend to consist of establishments that operate virtually around the clock, and may also operate large pieces of machinery as part of their normal activities.

Conversely, sectors with lower energy intensities tend to consist of establishments that do not operate beyond core business hours, and have little in the way of machinery besides general office equipment.

A previous Consumption of Energy Survey was conducted for 2003, but coverage was limited to hospitals, universities and colleges. The 2004 survey, which collected data in early 2005, was expanded to include industries that make up the commercial and institutional sectors.

Future versions will allow historical comparisons to better evaluate energy consumption patterns of Canadian businesses, institutions and organizations.

This survey was conducted on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. Based upon the results, Natural Resources Canada will produce an analytical publication which will be available in March 2006 on the Office of Energy Efficiency Web site.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 5034.

For more information on the concepts, methods or data quality of this survey, contact Client Services (1-877-679-2746, sbss-info@statcan.gc.ca), Small Business and Special Surveys Division.

For more information about Natural Resources Canada's energy efficiency programs, consult the Office of Energy Efficiency Web site (www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca).