Households and the Environment Survey: Energy Use, 2011
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Released: 2013-09-19
Canadian households consumed 1.4 million terajoules of energy in their homes in 2011, up 4% from 2007. However, on average the amount of energy consumed per household edged down from 106 gigajoules (GJ) in 2007 to 105 GJ in 2011.
The most common sources of household energy were natural gas (45%) and electricity (38%) in 2011. This was similar to the pattern of energy consumed in 2007.
Natural gas was the main heating fuel in 50% of Canadian homes in 2011, followed by electricity (39%). Natural gas was the primary energy source to heat homes in Ontario, the Prairie provinces, and British Columbia, while electricity was the predominant energy source for heating in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick. Oil was the main energy source used for heating in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Just over four out of five (82%) households reported using at least one energy-saving practice in their homes in 2011. The most common practices were washing laundry in cold water and turning off computer monitors not in use; each of these practices were used by 58% of households.
Note to readers
These data come from the energy use supplement of the 2011 Households and the Environment Survey. This supplement had three themes: heating fuels and equipment; energy consumption by household and dwelling characteristics; energy-saving practices and retrofitting practices
The publication Households and the Environment: Energy Use Report, 2011 (Catalogue number11-526-S), is now available. From the Browse by key resource module of our website, under Publications, choose All subjects, then Environment.
Contact information
For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca).
For analytical information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Gordon Dewis (613-951-4591; gordon.dewis@statcan.gc.ca), Environment Accounts and Statistics Division.
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