Evolution of residential electricity demand by end-use in Quebec 1979-1989: a conditional demand analysis

Abstract

This paper presents some of the main conclusions of a temporal analysis of three large-scale electricity demand surveys (1979, 1984 and 1989) for the Quebec residential sector with a regression method called conditional demand analysis (CDA). The study allows a number of conclusions about certain electricity consumption trends by end-uses from 1979 to 1989 by household type and by vintage category. For instance, the results indicate that decreasing electricity consumption between 1979 and 1984 for a typical dwelling equipped with an electric space heating system was mainly related to a large decline in net heating consumption. Overall, our results suggest that some permanent energy savings have been realized by a typical household equippped with an electric heating system, due to improvements in standards and changes in consumer behaviour. These energy saving were partly offset by increased electricity consumption due to the purchase of new applicances and an increase in the demand for hot water. -Authors