Trends in household energy consumption in Canada, 1961-1980

Abstract

This article analyses the pattern of energy consumption by the residential sector in Canada during the period 1961-1980 and its findings show that the two oil price shocks of 1973-1974 and 1979-1980 were accompanied by a considerable degree of interfuel substitution, primarily a shift from refined petroleum products to electricity and to a lesser extent, natural gas and wood. The contribution of 'conservation' was found to be modest, amounting to about 11% of potential energy use by the average household in 1980. In that year the average three member Canadian household consumed nearly 105 CJ of net energy, distributed in roughly equal proportions among the three major sources (electricity, oil products, and natural gas in ranking order), with solid fuel contributing a small share. © 1983.