Study: Characteristics and use of air conditioning systems

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2009

In 2009, one-half of Canadian households reported having some type of air conditioning system. Of those households, over two-thirds were equipped with central air conditioning, while the rest had a stand-alone unit.

When no one was home, more than two-thirds of households that had an air conditioner and a thermostat either shut off their air conditioner (55%) or set the temperature at 24°C or higher (13%). About 5% of households reported keeping their homes at 19°C or lower when no one was home.

When occupants were home and awake, about 10% of households reported their air conditioner was turned off while about 22% set their thermostat at 24°C or higher. About 9% kept it at 19°C or lower.

When occupants were sleeping, 29% of households that had an air conditioner reported their system turned off, while 16% set the temperature at 24°C or higher. About 9% kept their home at 19°C or lower.

Note: This study examines the characteristics and usage of air conditioning systems and other methods of cooling used by Canadian households. The study was based on data from the 2009 Households and the Environment Survey, conducted as part of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators project.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3881.

The article "Summertime control of temperature in Canadian homes: How Canadians keep their cool" is now available in EnviroStats, Summer 2011, Vol. 5, no. 2 (16-002-X, free), from the Key resource module of our website under Publications.

The article "Settlements in Canada" is also available in this issue of EnviroStats.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact the information officer (613-951-0297; environ@statcan.gc.ca), Environment Accounts and Statistics Division.