The Facts about Energy Use in Buildings

Source: (Community Energy Association)

Commercial Buildings

Heating 7.6 %
DHW 25.6 %
Total Gas 27.2 %

Lighting 28.6 %
Plug/misc. 25.2 %
Fans & pumps 14.4 %
Cooling 4.6 %
Total Electrical 72.8 %

Residential Buildings

Roof 3.6 %
Walls 7.6 %
Windows/doors 9.0 %
Basement/floor 10.1 %
Infiltration/ventilation 5.8 %
Furnace effic. loss 10.3 %
Heating sub-total 46.4 %
DHW 25.6 %
Total Gas 72.0 %

Lights 5.0 %
Fridge 4.8 %
Other 18.2 %
Total Electrical 28.0 %

According to the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, keeping our houses warm is the chief use of household energy in this province. The total breaks down like this:

Energy use in the average B.C. home:

  • Space heating 46 %
  • Cooling 1 %
  • Water heating 30 %
  • Appliances 17 %
  • Lighting 6 %

Residential & commercial buildings account for about 27% of energy use in Canada, and about 13% of GHG emissions in BC.