Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey (CBECS)

User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS 

Public Use Microdata File

Revised August 2016

Independent Statistics & Analysis

www.eia.gov

U.S. Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585
August 2016

Table of Contents

Overview .......................................................................................................................................................1

Examples: Using Excel or SAS to calculate estimates and/or RSEs...............................................................3

For Excel users........................................................................................................................................3

For SAS users..........................................................................................................................................5

Notes to consider when using the microdata file and replicate weights....................................................13

Confidentiality and masking procedures ....................................................................................................15

Changes since the 2003 CBECS................................................................................................................... 18

References.................................................................................................................................................. 23

Appendix: Detailed Tables using the public use data................................................................................. 24

Estimates for Table B1........................................................................................................................ 25

Estimates for Table B2........................................................................................................................ 35

Estimates for Table B3........................................................................................................................ 45

Estimates for Table C1 ........................................................................................................................ 54

Estimates for Table C4 ........................................................................................................................ 63

Estimates for Table C15 ...................................................................................................................... 73

Estimates for Table C25 ...................................................................................................................... 81

Estimates for Table E1 ........................................................................................................................ 87

RSEs for Table B1 ................................................................................................................................ 96

RSEs for Table B2 .............................................................................................................................. 106

RSEs for Table B3 .............................................................................................................................. 115

RSEs for Table C1 .............................................................................................................................. 124

RSEs for Table C4 .............................................................................................................................. 133

RSEs for Table C15 ............................................................................................................................ 143

RSEs for Table C25 ............................................................................................................................ 151
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U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 1

Overview

EIA makes a public-use microdata file available for each CBECS survey cycle. The 2012 file, which 

contains over 400 survey variables (not including imputation flags and statistical weights, which bring 

the variable count over 1,000), is a valuable tool for users conducting detailed analysis of energy use in 

commercial buildings. This document provides some background on the CBECS design, as well as 

useful tips and examples that will guide users through the proper statistical use of the CBECS 

microdata. 

CBECS sample design

The CBECS uses a multi-stage, multi-frame area probability design to select a sample of buildings that

estimate energy characteristics, consumption, and expenditures for the national stock of commercial 

buildings. For detailed information on how the sample was selected, see How Were Buildings Selected 

for the 2012 CBECS (http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/2012-cbecs-building-sampling.cfm).

To produce population estimates, the sample cases were properly weighted to represent all commercial 

buildings, including those not in the sample. Base sampling weights, which are the reciprocal of the 

probability of being selected for the CBECS sample, were first calculated for each sampled building. 

The base weights were then adjusted to account for survey nonresponse. The variable FINALWT in the 

data file represents the final sampling weight, accounting for different probabilities of selection and 

rates of participation in the survey. FINALWT is the number of buildings in the population that the 

observation represents. For example, if FINALWT for a building is 1,000, that building represents itself 

and 999 other non-sampled buildings. 

Sampling error

Estimates from a sample survey like CBECS are not exact but are statistical estimates with some 

associated sampling error—the result of generating estimates based on a sample rather than 

conducting a census of the entire population. Sampling error provides a measure of the accuracy of a 

particular estimate for a characteristic based on how common and variable it is in the population, given 

a particular sample size.

Standard errors are used in conjunction with survey estimates to measure sampling error, construct 

confidence intervals, or perform hypothesis tests. A relative standard error (RSE) is defined as the 

standard error (square root of the variance) of a survey estimate, divided by the survey estimate, and 

multiplied by 100. In other words, the RSE is the standard error relative to the survey estimate on a 

scale from zero to 100. The larger the RSE, the less precise the survey estimate is and the less likely 

the estimate, plus or minus an error range, includes the true population value. An RSE is shown for 

each estimate in the CBECS tables (on a separate tab in the Excel tables or in separate tables 

following the estimates tables in Appendix A of this documentation).

Jackknife method of estimating standard error

CBECS uses the jackknife method for estimating standard errors. This method uses replicate weights

to repeatedly estimate the statistic of interest and calculate the differences between these estimates 

and the full-sample estimate. See Wolter (1985), Rust (1985), and Shao and Tu (1995) for technical 

details.
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If θ is a population parameter of interest, let θθ� be the estimate from the full sample for θ. Let θθ�r be the 

estimate from the r-th replicate subsample by using replicate weights and let ∝rr be the jackknife 

coefficient for replicate r. The variance of θθ� is estimated by: 

VV��θθ�� = � ∝rr (θθ�rr − θθ�)2

RR

rr=1

For the 2012 CBECS, R=197 (the number of replicate subsamples) and ∝rr = 1 for each replicate. The 

formula for calculating the RSE is:

⎝

⎛

�VV� (θθ�)

θθ�

⎠

⎞ × 100
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U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 3

CBECS Examples: Using Excel or SAS to calculate estimates and/or RSEs

The following instructions are examples for calculating any CBECS estimate using the final weights 

(FINALWT) and the associated RSE using the replicate weights (FINALWT1−FINALWT197). We have 

provided instructions for Excel users and users with access to statistical software. Software packages 

like SAS/STAT, R, Stata, SUDAAN, and WesVar can process replicate weights to calculate RSEs. Note 

that while EXCEL can be used to calculate point estimates, it cannot process replicate weights to 

calculate RSEs for CBECS or other complex sample designs with varying probabilities of selection.

EIA recommends calculating standard errors or RSEs in conjunction with estimates to account for 

sampling error, which signal whether the results from the sample reflect the population value or are just 

due to chance of drawing this particular sample.

For Excel Users (estimates only, no RSEs)

Excel Example 1: Calculate the number of commercial buildings that are 5,000 square feet or 

smaller

A simple count of buildings can be estimated using the sum of FINALWT for a specified subset 

of cases within the CBECS data file. For this example, filter the file for all cases where the 

square footage category is 1,001 to 5,000 square feet (SQFTC=’02’). There are 1,738 such 

cases. By adding the FINALWT column for these cases, the result is that the estimated number 

of buildings that are 5,000 square feet or smaller is 2,777,320.64 (or 2,777 thousand as 

reported in Table B1). This is equal to 50% of all commercial buildings, or 2,777,321 ÷ 

5,557,138 (the sum of FINALWT for all cases in CBECS).

Excel Example 2: Calculate the total square footage of commercial buildings in the South

Census region

To calculate total square footage, create a new column for weighted square footage by 

multiplying SQFT by FINALWT for each case. Then filter the file for the South (REGION=’3’).

There are 2,592 such cases. Sum the new weighted square footage column (for the South only) 

to get 34,262,175,537 (or 34,262 million square feet as reported in Table B1). 

Excel Example 3: Calculate the average size (mean square feet per building) of office buildings

To calculate total square footage, create a new column for weighted square footage by 

multiplying SQFT by FINALWT for each case. Then filter the file for office buildings (PBA=’02’). 

There are 1,356 such cases. Sum the new weighted square footage column (for office buildings 

only) to get 16,007,229,575. Sum FINALWT for office buildings to get 1,012,373.22 (estimate for 

the number of office buildings). To calculate mean square feet for office buildings, divide the 

weighted square footage total by the estimated number of office buildings. The result is

15,811.59 (or 15.8 thousand as reported in Table B1).
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Excel Example 4: Calculate the total electricity consumption for office buildings in the Midwest

Begin by filtering the file for all cases where the Census region is Midwest (REGION=’02’). 

There are 1,459 such cases. Next, limit the cases further to only those that are office buildings 

(PBA=’02’). There should be 269 cases left. Total electricity consumption is reported in the 

variable ELCNS. For each case, created the weighted electricity consumption by multiplying 

consumption by the weight (ELCNS × FINALWT). Sum these weighted consumption numbers to 

find that office buildings in the Midwest consume a combined 51,110,492,663kWh of electricity 

annually, or 51 billion kWh as reported in Table C15. 

Excel Example 5: Calculate energy intensity for the sum of major fuels by building floorspace 

category

To find the energy intensity for the sum of major fuels for buildings with a floorspace of 10,001 to 

25,000 square feet, first filter the file for the appropriate cases (SQFTC=’04’). There should be 925 

cases in this category. In a new column, calculate the weighted square footage (SQFT × FINALWT) for 

each case and sum the column to get 14,108,189,730 (the total square footage for all buildings in this 

size category combined). In a separate column, calculate the weighted major fuel consumption 

(MFBTU × FINALWT) for each case and sum the column to get 876,162,383,081 (the total major fuel 

consumption for all buildings in this size category). Divide the sum of the weighted major fuel 

consumption by the sum of the weighted square footage. You should obtain an energy use intensity of 

62.1031 thousand Btu per square foot for all major fuels combined for buildings with a floorspace of 

10,001 to 25,000 square feet, or 62.1 thousand Btu per square foot as reported in Table C4.

Excel Example 6: Calculate total major fuel consumption used for refrigeration in food service 

buildings

Start by filtering the file for cases where the primary building activity is food service (PBA=’15’). 

There should be 261 cases in this category. In a new column, calculate the weighted 

consumption of all major fuels for refrigeration (MFRFBTU × FINALWT). Sum this new column 

to find that food service buildings consume 113,495,135,935 thousand Btu annually for 

refrigeration, or 113 trillion Btu as reported in Table E1. 
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U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 5

For SAS Users

SAS Example 1: Calculate the number of commercial buildings that are 5,000 square feet or 

smaller and the associated RSE (Table B1)

To calculate the sampling error associated with the square footage categories (SQFTC), use 

PROC SURVEYFREQ to process the replicate weights (FINALWT1-FINALWT197). 

proc surveyfreq data=cbecs varmethod=jackknife;

 repweights finalwt1-finalwt197 / jkcoefs=1;

 weight finalwt;

 tables sqftc; 

run;

Based on the output shown below, the weighted estimate of number of buildings in the 1,001 to 

5,000 square foot category is 2,777,321. The standard deviation of the frequency is 149,557

and the calculation for the RSE is: (149,557 ÷ 2,777,321) × 100 = 5.38. This means that the 

sampling error is about 5% of the estimate. 

The SURVEYFREQ Procedure

Data Summary

Number of Observations 6720

Sum of Weights 5557138.45

Variance Estimation

Method Jackknife

Replicate Weights CBECS

Number of Replicates 197

Square footage category

Weighted Std Dev of Std Err of

SQFTC Frequency Frequency Wgt Freq Percent Percent

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1,001 to 5,000 square feet 1738 2777321 149557 49.9775 1.3105

5,001 to 10,000 square feet 876 1229240 98520 22.1200 0.8873

10,001 to 25,000 square feet 925 883630 61106 15.9008 0.5869

25,001 to 50,000 square feet 651 332035 27043 5.9749 0.3594

50,001 to 100,000 square feet 720 199166 15433 3.5840 0.2584

100,001 to 200,000 square feet 681 90020 6295 1.6199 0.1175

200,001 to 500,000 square feet 696 37733 2572 0.6790 0.0516

500,001 to 1 million square feet 285 5996 628.12135 0.1079 0.0128

Over 1 million square feet 148 1997 287.08586 0.0359 0.0057

Total 6720 5557138 298691 100.000 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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SAS Example 2: Calculate the total square footage of commercial buildings in the Northeast 

Census region and the associated RSE (Table B1)

To calculate the total square feet (SQFT) by Census region (REGION), use SQFT in the var

statement and REGION in the domain statement within PROC SURVEYMEANS. PROC 

SURVEYMEANS is used to process the replicate weights (FINALWT1-FINALWT197). 

proc surveymeans data=cbecs varmethod=jackknife sum cv;

 repweights finalwt1-finalwt197 / jkcoefs=1;

 weight finalwt;

 var sqft; 

 domain region; 

run;

From the output shown below, the total weighted square footage of commercial buildings in the South is 

34,262,175,537. The standard error of the total is 2,696,101,576 and the calculation for the RSE is: 

(2,696,101,576 ÷ 34,262,175,537) × 100 = 7.87. This means that the sampling error is almost 8% of the 

estimate.

 The SURVEYMEANS Procedure

 Domain Statistics in REGION

Census Coeff of Std Error

region Variable Label Variation Sum of Sum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northeast SQFT Square footage 0.073500 15547475530 959043830

Midwest SQFT Square footage 0.061639 18916007507 1129744204

South SQFT Square footage 0.050672 34262175537 2696101576

West SQFT Square footage 0.077539 18350705946 2638410423

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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SAS Example 3: Calculate the weighted average size (mean square feet per building) of office 

buildings and the associated RSE (Table B1)

To calculate the average building size (SQFT) by building activity (PBA), use PBA in the domain

statement and use mean as an option in the PROC SURVEYMEANS statement. PROC 

SURVEYMEANS is used to process the replicate weights (FINALWT1-FINALWT197). 

proc surveymeans data=cbecs varmethod=jackknife mean stderr cv;

 repweights finalwt1-finalwt197 / jkcoefs=1;

 weight finalwt;

 var sqft; 

 domain pba;

run;

From the output shown below, the weighted mean square feet per building for office buildings is 

15,812. The standard deviation of the mean is 970.289 and the calculation for the RSE is: 

(970.289 ÷ 15,812) × 100 = 6.14. The RSE can also be calculated by multiplying the figure in 

the coefficient of variation column by 100: 0.0614 × 100 = 6.14. This means that the sampling 

error is about 6% of the estimate. 

 The SURVEYMEANS Procedure

 Domain Statistics in PBA

Principal building Std Error Coeff of

activity Variable Label Mean of Mean Variation

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vacant SQFT Square footage 11003 992.142138 0.090168

Office SQFT Square footage 15812 970.288884 0.061366

Laboratory SQFT Square footage 30407 7185.618067 0.236314

Nonrefrigerated warehouse SQFT Square footage 16120 1393.765050 0.086463

Food sales SQFT Square footage 7081.444775 926.454328 0.130828

Public order and safety SQFT Square footage 17108 2513.094906 0.146895

Outpatient health care SQFT Square footage 12098 1268.955431 0.104889

Refrigerated warehouse SQFT Square footage 51902 14366 0.276796

Religious worship SQFT Square footage 11070 733.975568 0.066302

Public assembly SQFT Square footage 15712 1340.007740 0.085286

Education SQFT Square footage 31490 2057.313196 0.065331

Food service SQFT Square footage 4791.633199 178.601982 0.037274

Inpatient health care SQFT Square footage 245580 34198 0.139253

Nursing SQFT Square footage 43169 6235.722544 0.144448

Lodging SQFT Square footage 34636 3355.188329 0.096870

Strip shopping mall SQFT Square footage 31257 2968.990618 0.094985

Enclosed mall SQFT Square footage 630050 159082 0.252491

Retail other than mall SQFT Square footage 12407 820.751400 0.066153

Service SQFT Square footage 7416.015734 454.170578 0.061242

Other SQFT Square footage 14126 2591.816013 0.183481

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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SAS Example 4: Calculate the weighted median hours per week (Table B2)

To calculate a weighted median, use a weight statement within PROC MEANS. In this example, 

weekly operating hours (WKHRS) goes in the var statement. It is not possible to calculate RSEs 

for medians with jackknife replicate weights, so it is not necessary to use PROC 

SURVEYMEANS.

proc means median data=cbecs;

 var wkhrs;

 weight finalwt;

run;

The output provides the weighted median weekly operating hours, 50 hours per week.

The MEANS Procedure

Analysis Variable : WKHRS Total hours open per week

Median

------------

50.0000000

------------
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U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 9

SAS Example 5: Calculate the total electricity consumption for office buildings in the Midwest

and the associated RSE (Table C15)

To calculate the total electricity consumption in kWh (ELCNS) by primary building activity (PBA) 

and Census region (REGION), use PBA and REGION in a domain statement within PROC 

SURVEYMEANS. In this example, ELCNS goes in the var statement. PROC SURVEYMEANS 

is used to process the replicate weights (FINALWT1-FINALWT197). 

proc surveymeans data=cbecs varmethod=jackknife sum;

 repweights finalwt1-finalwt197 / jkcoefs=1;

 weight finalwt;

 var elcns; 

domain pba * region;

run;

From the output shown below, the total annual electricity consumption in kWh for all office 

buildings in the Midwest is 51,110,492,663. The standard error of the total is 6,435,202,845. 

The RSE is calculated as (6,435,202,845 ÷ 51,110,492,663) × 100 = 12.6. 

The SURVEYMEANS Procedure

Domain Statistics in PBA*REGION

Principal building 

activity

Census 

region

Variable Label Sum Std Error of 

Sum

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vacant Northeast ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

681838172 306208142

Midwest ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

1776982678 742239238

South ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

2742734087 642758454

West ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

2529122320 1128951559

Office Northeast ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

63386723545 11728940188

Midwest ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

51110492663 6435202845

South ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

88010356971 9797222317

West ELCNS Annual electricity 

consumption (kWh)

50781721798 5054685364

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Output truncated to save space)
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SAS Example 6: Calculate energy intensity for the sum of major fuels by building floorspace 

category and the associated RSE (Table C4)

The CBECS includes all buildings, including those that do not use any energy, in the calculation 

of energy intensity for all major fuels1. The SURVEYMEANS procedure excludes cases with 

missing variables when calculating ratios. Therefore, it is necessary to first create a new 

variable (MFTAB, below) where missing data are set to 0:

data cbecs;

 set cbecs;

 mftab=mfbtu;

if mftab=. then mftab=0;

Next, use this new variable to compute the overall energy intensity for the sum of major fuels, 

defined here as total major fuel consumption in thousand Btu (MFTAB) per square foot (SQFT).

Use MFTAB and SQFT in a var statement as well as a ratio statement within PROC 

SURVEYMEANS. Further divide the data into building floorspace categories by using SQFTC in 

a domain statement. PROC SURVEYMEANS is used to process the replicate weights 

(FINALWT1-FINALWT197). 

proc surveymeans data=cbecs

varmethod=jackknife sum;

 repweights finalwt1-finalwt197 / jkcoefs=1;

 weight finalwt;

var mftab sqft;

domain SQFTC;

ratio mftab/sqft;

run;

In the output shown below, the total energy intensity for all major fuels in thousand Btu for 

buildings 10,001 to 25,000 square feet is 62.103105. The standard error for the intensity is 

3.144442. The RSE for the intensity—thousand Btu per square foot—is (3.144442 ÷ 62.103105) 

× 100 = 5.06. 

 The SURVEYMEANS Procedure

 Domain Ratio in SQFTC

Square footage category Numerator Denominator Ratio Std Err

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1,001 to 5,000 square feet mftab SQFT 89.887523 3.451706

5,001 to 10,000 square feet mftab SQFT 72.560637 4.162814

10,001 to 25,000 square feet mftab SQFT 62.103105 3.144442

25,001 to 50,000 square feet mftab SQFT 69.012869 3.549956

50,001 to 100,000 square feet mftab SQFT 76.619863 3.899248

100,001 to 200,000 square feet mftab SQFT 83.229079 6.130370

200,001 to 500,000 square feet mftab SQFT 95.748596 4.391670

500,001 to 1 million square feet mftab SQFT 103.525619 5.364536

Over 1 million square feet mftab SQFT 116.137839 17.185040

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 1 For energy source-specific intensities, CBECS does not include buildings that don’t use the energy source in the calculation, so the extra 

step of creating a new variable is not necessary in the calculation of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or district heat intensities.
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SAS Example 7: Calculate building-level energy intensities and find the median for different 

categories of operating hours (Table C4)

First, create a new variable equal to the building-level energy intensity for each case (BLEUI, 

below). Here we are looking at the intensity for the sum of all major fuels (MFBTU):

data cbecs;

 set cbecs;

 BLEUI=mfbtu/sqft;

 if mfbtu=. then mfbtu=0;

Then, use the newly-created variable in the var statement of a MEANS procedure to find the 

median value. It is not possible to calculate RSEs for medians with jackknife replicate weights, 

so it is not necessary to use the SURVEYMEANS procedure. Use a class statement to separate 

the output by weekly operating hours categories (WKHRSC).

proc means median data=cbecs;

 weight finalwt;

var BLEUI;

class WKHRSC;

run;

The output below shows that the median building-level intensity for the sum of all major fuels for 

buildings open 40-48 hours is 43.4269286 thousand Btu per square foot. For buildings open 49 

to 60 hours, the median is slightly higher, 48.4100000. 

 The MEANS Procedure

 Analysis Variable : BLEUI 

Weekly

hours N

category Obs Median

---------------------------------

No hours 257 6.1823810

1 to 39 564 28.2946667

40 to 48 1293 43.4269286

49 to 60 1525 48.4100000

61 to 84 1075 73.3390000

85 to 167 656 127.5474000

168 1350 67.4456500

--------------------------------
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SAS Example 8: Calculate total major fuel consumption used for refrigeration in food service 

buildings (Table E1)

To calculate energy consumed from all major fuel for the refrigeration end use (MFRFBTU) by 

primary building activity (PBA), use MFRFBTU in the var statement of PROC SURVEYMEANS. 

Put PBA in a domain statement. PROC SURVEYMEANS is used to process the replicate 

weights (FINALWT1-FINALWT197). 

proc surveymeans data=cbecs varmethod=jackknife sum;

 repweights finalwt1-finalwt197 / jkcoefs=1;

 weight finalwt;

var MFRFBTU;

domain pba;

run;

From the output shown below, the total major fuel consumption used for the refrigeration end 

use is 113,495,135,935 thousand Btu. The data for end uses come from a model and therefore 

do not have RSEs.

The SURVEYMEANS Procedure

Domain Statistics in PBA

Principal building 

activity

Variabl

e

Label Sum Std Error of 

Sum

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vacant MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

853224486 279432346

Office MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

27838329963 3684087416

Laboratory MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

11086263365 3437702890

Nonrefrigerated 

warehouse

MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

14071477702 3885842070

Food sales MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

146796826864 16823447266

Public order and 

safety

MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

2910091744 563691832

Outpatient health 

care

MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

4449950940 1320674008

Refrigerated 

warehouse

MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

32550709840 9740227270

Religious worship MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

4039852729 530319757

Public assembly MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

24656447914 4349725088

Education MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

40405444735 3341618386

Food service MFRFBTU Major fuel refrigeration use 

(thous Btu)

113495135935 11773848093

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Output truncated to save space)
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Notes to consider when using the microdata file and replicate weights

Publication standards

EIA does not publish CBECS estimates where the RSE is higher than 50 or the count of buildings used 

for the calculation is less than 20 (indicated by a Q in the data tables). These are also EIA’s 

recommended guidelines for custom analysis using the public use microdata file. 

Imputation variables

Most variables were imputed for Don’t know and Refused responses. The Z variables, also referred to 

as imputation flags, are included in the public use microdata file. Each variable that was imputed has a 

corresponding Z variable; the Z variable name is simply the name of the variable that was imputed with 

the letter Z in front of it (for example, the Z variable for the variable SQFT is ZSQFT). The imputation 

flags provide information on the source of the data for the corresponding non-Z variable. 

The CBECS imputation flags for characteristics variables and their meanings are:

• Reported (Z variable=’0’). Indicates that the variable was reported by the respondent.

• Imputed (Z variable=’1’). Building characteristics data were imputed using hot-deck 

imputation methods.

• Estimated (Z variable=’2’). This code applies to strip center buildings for which the value 

was estimated using data from establishment interviews within the building 

• Missing (Z variable=’8’). Indicates that the value is still Don’t Know or Refused because the 

variable was not imputed.

• Inapplicable (Z variable=’9’). Indicates that the variable was not on the questionnaire path 

for that particular building. In the CBECS, non-Z variables are displayed as missing when 

they are inapplicable.

The CBECS imputation flags for energy consumption variables and their meanings are:

• Reported (Z variable=’0’). Indicates that the variable was reported by the respondent or by 

the energy supplier.

• Estimated for strip center (Z variable=’1’). This code applies to strip center buildings for 

which the value was estimated using data from establishment interviews within the building 

• Imputed (Z variable=’2’). Energy consumption data were imputed using engineering-based 

statistical models.

• Estimated using price (Z variable=’3’). Indicates that either the consumption or the 

expenditures was calculated using an average price for the energy source.

• Inapplicable (Z variable=’9’). Indicates that the energy source was not used.
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When there is a variable on the file without a corresponding Z variable, it means that there was no 

missing data or the variable was not imputed (in such cases, there will be Don’t know or Refused

values remaining in the data file). EIA recommends using the imputed data where available to avoid 

biased estimation. 

 
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Confidentiality and masking procedures

The 2012 CBECS was collected under the authority of the Confidential Information Protection and 

Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA). EIA, project staff and its contractors and agents are personally 

accountable for protecting the identity of individual respondents. The following steps were taken to 

avoid disclosure of information that would reveal the identity of a building on the public use microdata 

file. 

• All building identification information such as building name, address, city, state, and ZIP 

code were removed.

• Variables indicating unique building features that might lead to building identification were 

left off the file. Examples include: wind turbines, indoor ice rinks, trading floors, and green 

building certification.

• Climate region (PUBCLIM): CBECS has adopted new climate zone designations—climate 

regions created by the Building America program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of 

Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). To preclude disclosure 

risk on the public use file, the Hot-dry/Mixed-dry region and the Hot-humid region have been 

combined, and climate region has been withheld for buildings larger than a million square 

feet.

• Square footage (SQFT): For buildings over one million square feet, the numeric square 

footage was replaced with the weighted average square footage of all responding buildings 

over one million square feet. Separate weighted means were calculated for each of the four 

Census regions. For buildings one million square feet or less, the numeric square footage 

was rounded to within 5 percent of the upper limit of the buildings' square footage 

categories. If the rounded value fell below the lower limit of the category, the value was 

coded at the lower limit—for example, buildings in the range of 5,001 to 12,000 square feet 

were rounded to the nearest 500 square feet (except that buildings rounding to 5,000 were 

coded as 5,001.) 

• Number of floors (NFLOOR): The upper values for number of floors were replaced with two 

categories: 15 to 25 floors (coded as 994 on the file) and more than 25 floors (coded as 995 

on the file). 

• Floor-to-ceiling height (FLCEILHT): The upper values were replaced with a category for 

more than 50 feet (coded as 995 on the file).

• Number of elevators and escalators (NELVTR, NESLTR): The upper values were 

replaced with a category for more than 50 elevators (coded as 995 on the file) and more 

than 20 elevators (coded as 995 on the file).

• Year of construction (YRCON): The oldest buildings were replaced with a category for 

before 1945 (coded as 995). In year of construction category, categories remain for Before 

1920 and 1920 to 1945, but the exact year of construction is not being provided for any of 

these years.

• Data centers: Data centers are placed into the Other building activities.
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 16

• Special measures of occupancy (RWSEAT, PBSEAT, EDSEAT, FDSEAT, HCBED, 

NRSBED, LODGRM): Seven special measures of occupancy are included in the 2012

CBECS (seating capacity for religious buildings, public assembly buildings, education 

buildings, and food service buildings; licensed bed capacity for inpatient health care and 

skilled nursing buildings; and number of guest rooms for lodging buildings). These numbers 

were rounded to the following: fewer than 25 units (no rounding performed); 25-49 units 

(rounded to nearest 5); 50-99 units (rounded to nearest 12); 120-249 units (rounded to

nearest 25); 250-499 (rounded to nearest 50); 500-999 units (rounded to nearest 120); 

1,000-2,499 units (rounded to nearest 250); 2,500-4,999 (rounded to nearest 500); 5,000 or 

more units (rounded to nearest 1,000). In addition, for public assembly buildings, those with 

more than 15,000 seats have been collapsed into one category (coded as 999995); for 

religious worship buildings, those with more than 2,000 seats have been collapsed into one 

category (coded as 99995); for lodging buildings, those with more than 1,000 guest rooms 

have been collapsed into one category (coded as 99995); and for inpatient health care and 

skilled nursing buildings, buildings with over 250 beds have been collapsed into one 

category (coded as 9995).

• Type of government ownership (GOVTYP, OWNTYPE): For inpatient health care 

buildings that are government owned, the type of government ownership (Federal, State or 

local) variable has been withheld.

• Number of businesses (NOCC): For buildings where the numeric number of businesses

was between 50 and 100, the reported number was rounded to the nearest 5. For buildings 

where the numeric number of businesses was between 101 and 200, the reported number 

was rounded to the nearest 10. For buildings with more than 200 businesses, the number of 

businesses has been collapsed into one category (coded as 995).

• Number of workers (NWKER): For buildings where the numeric number of workers was 

between 2,500 and 4,999, the reported number was rounded to the nearest 250. For 

buildings where the numeric number of workers was 5,000 or more, the reported numeric 

number of workers was replaced with the weighted average number of workers of all 

responding buildings with 5,000 or more workers. 

• Medical equipment (XRAYN, CTSCAN, MRI, LINACC): For buildings with more than 20 Xray machines, the number of X-rays has been collapsed into one category (coded as 995). 

For the number of CT scan machines, number of MRI machines, and the number of linear 

accelerators, instead of providing the number, an indicator variable has been provided to 

show the presence or absence of these equipment types within a building.

• Number of compact refrigerators (RFGCOMPN): This value has been rounded in the 

same manner as described for Special measures of occupancy above. In addition, buildings 

with more than 1,000 compact refrigerators have been collapsed into one category (coded 

as 99995).

• Computers and servers (PCTERMN, PCTRMC, LAPTPN, LAPTPC, SERVERN, 

SERVERC): For buildings where the number of computers was 2,500 or more, the reported 

numeric number of computers was replaced with the weighted average number of 

computers (calculated separately by regions) of all responding buildings with 2,500 or more 

computers. In addition, the highest two number of computers categories were combined. For 
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 17

buildings where the number of laptop computers was 1,000 or more, the reported numeric 

number of laptops was replaced with the weighted average number of laptops of all 

responding buildings with 1,000 or more laptops. In addition, the highest three number of 

laptops categories were combined. For buildings with 500 or more servers, the number of 

servers has been collapsed into one category (coded as 9995). In addition, the top four 

number of servers categories were combined.

• Data center square footage (DCNTRSFC): Data center square footage within buildings 

has been collapsed into five categories: 500 square feet or less; 501 to 1,500 square feet; 

1,501 to 3,000 square feet; 3,001 to 10,000 square feet; and Over 10,000 square feet.

• TV or video displays (TVVIDEON): For buildings with more than 200 TVs or video displays, 

the number of TVs or video displays has been collapsed into one category (coded as 995).

• Heating degree-days and cooling degree-days (HDD, CDD): For each building, the 

annual HDD and CDD were randomly perturbed by using a normal distribution, with the 

reported degree-days randomly higher or lower than the actual data. For a few buildings in 

areas with extreme weather, the total amount of perturbation was increased to further 

disguise the building’s location. As a result, each case has degree-day data that could have 

plausibly come from more than one geographic area.

• Energy usage variables (e.g. MFBTU, ELCNS, NGCNS, FKHTBTU): The total 

consumption and expenditures for each fuel were randomly perturbed by a small percentage 

so that the reported annual totals would not exactly match the actual billing records, and the 

building would not be identifiable by anyone with access to those records. The end use 

consumption variables were rescaled to add to the new totals.
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 18

Changes since the 2003 CBECS

Since the 2003 CBECS public use file, some variables have been dropped, modified, and added. 

Those changes are detailed here.

Variables dropped from or modified in the 2012 CBECS

CLIMATE8 Climate zone

CBECS has adopted new climate zone 

designations, climate regions created 

by the Building America program, 

sponsored by the U.S. Department of 

Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy (EERE). A 

modified version of the new regions,

PUBCLIM, is provided in the public use 

file.

HEB8 Electronic ballasts

Dropped because they are now either 

MNFRM obsolete or have become ubiquitous. 8 Mainframe computer room

SREF8 Specular reflectors

FLAT8 Flat screen monitors

Filter question was dropped assuming 

most buildings have flat screen 

monitors. Amount of computers with flat 

screen monitors was retained.

RDOFEQ8 Equipment turned off during off hours

Because of the range of office 

equipment and ways to turn them off, 

this single variable was determined to 

not be providing quality data.

PORVAC8 Space vacant 3 months in a row

Without knowing how much space was 

vacant, this question was not very 

useful. It was replaced with some 

questions about average percent 

occupancy.

FDRM8 Commercial food preparation area

Instead of an overall food preparation 

area question, the 2012 CBECS asks 

about specific types of areas.

ADJWT Final full sample building weight Renamed to FINALWT.

PAIR8 Variance unit The 2012 CBECS provides replicate 

weights for variance calculation. STRATUM8 Variance stratum

RENEXT8 Exterior replacement

This was split into roof replacement and 

exterior wall replacement.

OWNER8 Owner

Owner and type of government owner 

have been combined into OWNTYPE.

VAV8 VAV system

Variable air volume (VAV) controls are 

now listed among the types of heating 

or cooling ventilation equipment.

OTPCRM8 Other computer area

Based on review of the other specifies

from the 2003 CBECS, most of these 

reported were not determined to be 

separate computer areas.

PCRMP8 Computer area percent

The 2012 CBECS collected the square 

footage for data centers and trading 

floors.
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 19

Variables added to the 2012 CBECS

RFCOOL Cool roof materials

RFTILT Roof tilt

BASEMNT Number of underground floors

FLCEILHT Floor to ceiling height

ATTIC Attic

RENRFF Roof replacement

RENWLL Exterior wall replacement

RENELC Electrical upgrade

RENSAF Fire, safety, or security upgrade

RENSTR Structural upgrade

DRYCL Dry cleaning onsite

CUBE Open plan office space

CUBEC Percent open plan

CUBELOC Location of open plan

COURT Food court

OWNOPR Owner responsible for operation and maintenance of energy systems

OWNPPR Owner has purchasing power for energy-related equipment

NWNPPR Nonowner with purchasing power for energy-related equipment

NWNOPR Nonowner responsible for operation and maintenance of energy systems

WHOPPR Who has purchasing power

OCCUPYP Percent occupancy

LODOCCP Lodging room percent occupancy

BLRRAD Boiler system: Radiators

BLRFNCL Boiler system: Fan coil units in rooms

BLRINDC Boiler system: Induction units

BLRWATR Boiler system: Water loop heat pump

BLRAIR Boiler system: Central air handler

BLRPKG Boiler system: Packaged unit

BLRDUCT Boiler system: Duct reheat

DHRAD District heat system: Radiators

DHFNCL District heat system: Fan coil units in rooms

DHINDC District heat system: Induction units

DHWATR District heat system: Water loop heat pump

DHAIR District heat system: Central air handler

DHPKG District heat system: Packaged unit

DHDUCT District heat system: Duct reheat

OTSTRP Other heat component: Heating coil or heat strip

OTDUCT Other heat component: Duct or electric reheat

OTPIU Other heat component: Powered induction units

PKGHTTYP Type of packaged heating

PKGFURN Packaged heating component: Furnace
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 20

PKGHTP Packaged heating component: Heat pump

PKGCOIL Packaged heating component: Heating coil

PKGPIU Packaged heating component: Powered induction unit

PKGDUCT Packaged heating component: Duct reheat

HPHMINI Heat pump heating system: Ductless mini-split

HPHVRF Heat pump heating system: Variable refrigerant flow

HPHDUAL Heat pump heating type: Dual source

HPHBKUP Heat pump backup

SHRDNT Individual heater: Infrared radiant

SHBBRD Individual heater: Baseboard

SHPORT Individual heater: Portable space heater

SHWALL Individual heater: Wall heater

SHFURN Individual heater: Individual furnace

SHUNIT Individual heater: Unit heater

SHPTAC Individual heater: Heating element in PTAC

HTVCAV Heating ventilation: Central air handling with CAV

HTVVAV Heating ventilation: Central air handling with VAV

HTVFLR Heating ventilation: Underfloor air distribution

HTVOAS Heating ventilation: Dedicated outside air system

HTVDEM Heating ventilation: Demand controlled ventilation

HTVNON Heating ventilation: None of these

PKGCLTYP Type of packaged cooling

CHLAIRCL Chiller type: Air-cooled

CHLWTRCL Chiller type: Water cooled

CHLABSRP Chiller type: Absorption

HTRCHLR Heater chiller

CHLAIR Chiller system: Central air handler

CHLFNCL Chiller system: Fan coil units in rooms

CHLINDC Chiller system: Induction units

CHLWATR Chiller system: Water loop heat pump

CHLBEAM Chiller system: Chilled beam

CHLPKG Chiller system: Packaged unit

CHLDUCT Chiller system: Duct reheat

DCWAIR District CW system: Central air handler

DCWFNCL District CW system: Fan coil units in rooms

DCWINDC District CW system: Induction units

DCWWATR District CW system: Water loop heat pump

DCWBEAM District CW system: Chilled beam

DCWPKG District CW system: Packaged unit

DCWDUCT District CW system: Duct reheat

HPCMINI Heat pump cooling system: Ductless mini-split

HPCVRF Heat pump cooling system: Variable refrigerant flow
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 21

HPCDUAL Heat pump cooling type: Dual source

CLVCAV Cooling ventilation: Central air-handling unit with CAV

CLVVAV Cooling ventilation: Central air-handling unit with VAV

CLVFLR Cooling ventilation: Underfloor air distribution

CLVOAS Cooling ventilation: Dedicated outside air system

CLVDEM Cooling ventilation: Demand controlled ventilation

CLVNON Cooling ventilation: None of these types

ECNTYPE Type of economizer

BOOSTWT Booster water heaters

LRGTRB Large turbines

ENGINE Reciprocating engines

CWOTH District chilled water for some other use

ELCPLT Electricity from central plant

AMIMETER AMI smart metering

ENRGYPLN Energy management plan

BREAKRM Employee lounge, breakroom, or pantry

CONFSP Conference or event space

CONFSPP Percent conference or event space

XRAYN Number of X-ray machines

CTSCAN CT scan machines

MRI MRI machines

LINACC Linear accelerators

OUTSURG Operating rooms for outpatient surgery

STRLZR Sterilizers or autoclaves

RFGCOMP Half-size or compact refrigerators

RFGICE Commercial ice makers

RFGSTO Large cold storage areas

RFGCOMPN Number of compact refrigerators

RFGICN Number of ice makers

RFGSTP Percent cold storage

WHRECOV Waste heat recovery

WHHT2 Waste heat used for secondary heating

WHWT Waste heat used for water heating

WHOT Waste heat used for some other use

MLTMON Multiple monitors

MLTMNC Multiple monitor category

LAPTPN Number of laptops

LAPTPC Number of laptops category

DCNTRSFC Data center or server farm sqft category

WBOARDS Interactive whiteboards

TVVIDEO TV or video displays

TVVIDEON Number of TV or video displays
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 22

RGSTR Cash registers

LTNR24 Lights off during 24 hours

LED Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs

LEDP Percent lit by LED

SCHED Light scheduling

DIM Multi-level lighting or dimming

DAYHARV Daylight harvesting

TRIM High-end trimming or light-level tuning

PLGCTRL Plug load control

DRLGHT Demand responsive lighting

LTEXPC Percent of exterior lighted

PKLT Lighted parking area
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 23

References

Rust, K. (1985), “Variance Estimation for Complex Estimators in Sample Surveys,” Journal of Official 

Statistics, 1(4), 381–397.

Shao, J. and Tu, D. (1995), The Jackknife and Bootstrap, New York: Springer-Verlag.

Wolter, K. M. (1985), Introduction to Variance Estimation, New York: Springer-Verlag.

The code and output for this paper was generated using SAS/STAT software, Version 9.2 of the SAS 

System for Windows. Copyright © 2002-2008 SAS Institute Inc. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. 

product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, 

USA.
August 2016

U.S. Energy Information Administration | User’s Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 24

Appendix

Detailed Tables created with the public use data: B1, B2, B3, C1, C4, C15, C25, and E1

Results tabulated from the public use microdata file will not exactly match the published CBECS Detailed Tables, 

which use unmasked data. For public data users who wish to verify their tabulations, a few selected tables are 

available that use the masked, public use data. The tables of estimates start on the next page and are followed by 

the RSE tables. There is no RSE table for Table E1 because the end use estimates are modeled and therefore do 

not have RSEs. These tables are also available in Excel format on the CBECS Public Use Microdata File web 

page (http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/index.cfm?view=microdata).
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 25

Release date: June 2015

Revised date: August 2016

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 2,777 8,042 10,232 2.9 786 56

5,001 to 10,000 1,229 8,902 9,225 7.2 965 62

10,001 to 25,000 884 14,108 14,189 16.0 994 65

25,001 to 50,000 332 11,915 11,327 35.9 1,052 72

50,001 to 100,000 199 13,914 12,345 69.9 1,127 80

100,001 to 200,000 90 12,425 11,310 138.0 1,099 89

200,001 to 500,000 38 10,718 10,356 284.1 1,035 99

Over 500,000 8 7,053 9,202 882.4 766 117

Principal building activity

Education 389 12,239 10,885 31.5 1,124 53

Food sales 177 1,252 1,172 7.1 1,067 121

Food service 380 1,819 3,431 4.8 530 82

Health care 157 4,133 7,595 26.4 544 60

Inpatient 10 2,352 4,262 245.6 552 168

Outpatient 147 1,780 3,333 12.1 534 53

Lodging 158 5,722 3,066 36.2 1,866 165

Mercantile 602 11,391 9,117 18.9 1,250 64

Retail (other than mall) 438 5,437 4,023 12.4 1,352 62

Enclosed and strip malls 164 5,954 5,093 36.3 1,169 69

Office 1,012 16,007 33,785 15.8 474 55

Public assembly 352 5,531 3,103 15.7 1,783 56

Public order and safety 84 1,434 1,854 17.1 774 113

Religious worship 412 4,559 1,940 11.1 2,350 31

Service 619 4,587 4,031 7.4 1,138 56

Warehouse and storage 796 13,130 6,362 16.5 2,064 67

Other 125 2,015 1,611 16.1 1,251 61

Vacant 296 3,257 236 11.0 13,819 8

Year constructed

Before 1920 362 3,981 3,310 11.0 1,203 48

1920 to 1945 488 5,985 6,013 12.3 995 52

1946 to 1959 599 7,352 6,569 12.3 1,119 51

1960 to 1969 639 10,361 9,865 16.2 1,050 61

1970 to 1979 684 10,868 12,524 15.9 868 61

1980 to 1989 915 15,262 17,469 16.7 874 65

1990 to 1999 845 13,843 13,420 16.4 1,032 68

2000 to 2003 375 7,229 7,491 19.3 965 66

2004 to 2007 347 6,484 5,997 18.7 1,081 69

2008 to 2012 303 5,712 5,529 18.9 1,033 76

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 26

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Census region and division

Northeast 805 15,547 17,752 19.3 876 64

New England 302 4,305 4,161 14.3 1,035 60

Middle Atlantic 504 11,242 13,592 22.3 827 67

Midwest 1,237 18,916 17,292 15.3 1,094 61

East North Central 735 12,751 11,951 17.3 1,067 62

West North Central 502 6,165 5,341 12.3 1,154 59

South 2,247 34,262 32,696 15.2 1,048 61

South Atlantic 1,091 17,957 18,131 16.5 990 65

East South Central 370 4,896 4,293 13.2 1,140 55

West South Central 786 11,409 10,272 14.5 1,111 59

West 1,267 18,351 20,446 14.5 898 61

Mountain 338 4,900 4,586 14.5 1,068 61

Pacific 929 13,451 15,860 14.5 848 61

Number of floors

One 3,836 39,851 35,019 10.4 1,138 60

Two 1,158 20,244 19,752 17.5 1,025 60

Three 374 8,160 7,826 21.8 1,043 69

Four to nine 177 13,514 16,292 76.5 830 84

Ten or more 13 5,307 9,298 421.5 571 108

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 405 32,039 39,984 79.1 801 81

Number of elevators

One 272 11,152 11,347 41.1 983 75

Two to five 118 12,845 15,489 109.3 829 90

Six or more 16 8,042 13,148 500.4 612 114

Any escalators 10 3,482 4,812 359.7 724 97

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 2,892 17,756 5,064 6.1 3,506 55

5 to 9 1,085 8,976 7,017 8.3 1,279 63

10 to 19 731 9,625 9,472 13.2 1,016 69

20 to 49 513 14,519 14,881 28.3 976 72

50 to 99 206 13,507 13,424 65.7 1,006 77

100 to 249 93 10,943 13,368 117.1 819 87

250 or more 37 11,750 24,962 316.6 471 98

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 1,149 8,226 3,291 7.2 2,499 12

40 to 48 1,346 15,815 17,559 11.7 901 42

49 to 60 1,244 20,612 24,855 16.6 829 54

61 to 84 764 15,934 16,679 20.9 955 74

85 to 167 479 9,434 8,087 19.7 1,167 105

Open continuously 575 17,056 17,718 29.6 963 168
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 27

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 4,715 73,656 74,455 15.6 989 61

Business owner or tenant 724 11,346 11,127 15.7 1,020 66

Property management 54 1,244 1,736 22.9 716 66

Other 64 831 870 12.9 955 58

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 4,876 76,240 76,795 15.6 993 61

Business owner or tenant 540 8,304 8,616 15.4 964 68

Property management 35 889 954 25.8 932 74

Other 106 1,643 1,822 15.5 902 56

Number of establishments

One 4,205 54,992 52,122 13.1 1,055 64

2 to 5 862 17,701 18,902 20.5 936 65

6 to 10 147 4,380 5,897 29.8 743 77

11 to 20 68 3,710 5,258 54.9 705 70

More than 20 27 3,899 6,008 143.8 649 84

Currently unoccupied 248 2,395 N 9.7 N N

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 2,312 40,527 41,645 17.5 973 62

Concrete (block or poured) 1,121 20,622 20,223 18.4 1,020 62

Concrete panels 210 8,701 9,486 41.5 917 72

Siding or shingles 905 5,761 6,013 6.4 958 58

Metal panels 933 8,670 5,805 9.3 1,494 61

Window glass 17 1,344 2,631 78.8 511 77

Other 37 857 844 23.0 1,016 68

No one major type 21 595 Q 27.8 Q 68

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 1,672 15,932 12,024 9.5 1,325 62

Synthetic or rubber 911 25,774 27,560 28.3 935 68

Built-up 836 21,853 24,066 26.1 908 62

Slate or tile shingles 406 4,292 4,262 10.6 1,007 61

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 157 1,140 999 7.3 1,141 63

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 1,483 15,115 16,289 10.2 928 58

Concrete 51 1,650 2,086 32.3 791 66

Other 24 681 567 28.7 1,200 66

No one major type 18 640 333 35.5 1,920 54
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 28

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 1,960 49,601 57,140 25.3 868 68

Shallow pitch 2,148 23,881 19,528 11.1 1,223 60

Steeper pitch 1,449 13,594 11,519 9.4 1,180 55

Cool roof 740 19,570 21,650 26.4 904 66

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 2,094 42,144 46,433 20.1 908 63

Addition or annex 444 12,932 12,478 29.1 1,036 68

Reduction in floorspace 71 1,718 2,567 24.1 669 69

Roof replacement 987 20,865 22,854 21.1 913 62

Exterior wall replacement 194 4,212 4,532 21.7 929 66

Interior wall reconfiguration 889 21,318 27,682 24.0 770 63

Window replacement 560 12,124 14,125 21.6 858 65

HVAC equipment upgrade 1,101 26,660 30,172 24.2 884 63

Lighting upgrade 982 25,403 28,286 25.9 898 66

Electrical upgrade 747 16,019 17,758 21.4 902 63

Plumbing system upgrade 644 13,723 16,095 21.3 853 67

Insulation upgrade 382 7,500 8,365 19.6 897 62

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 616 17,126 20,081 27.8 853 68

Structural upgrade 152 3,821 3,759 25.2 1,016 64

Other 39 872 1,015 22.3 859 68

No renovations 3,160 39,220 36,225 12.4 1,083 59

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 303 5,712 5,529 18.9 1,033 76

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5,234 84,850 88,120 16.2 963 63

Natural gas 2,933 58,729 62,345 20.0 942 65

Fuel oil 467 20,130 25,663 43.1 784 76

District heat 48 5,817 8,222 121.8 707 87

District chilled water 54 4,476 5,767 83.0 776 87

Propane 510 7,709 5,909 15.1 1,305 64

Wood 69 500 476 7.2 1,051 65

Coal Q Q Q Q Q Q

Solar 40 1,908 1,713 48.2 1,114 84

Other 61 1,387 1,526 22.7 909 64
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 29

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Space-heating energy sources 

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,858 49,039 53,892 17.2 910 64

Natural gas 2,612 49,611 51,727 19.0 959 62

Fuel oil 270 4,360 4,160 16.1 1,048 60

District heat 48 5,776 8,149 121.1 709 87

Propane 342 3,066 2,510 9.0 1,222 55

Wood 63 393 212 6.3 1,853 63

Coal Q Q Q Q Q Q

Solar Q Q Q Q Q Q

Other 32 508 463 15.8 1,099 56

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 1,819 26,283 28,973 14.4 907 66

Natural gas 2,322 43,054 44,630 18.5 965 61

Fuel oil 205 2,545 2,000 12.4 1,272 59

District heat 47 5,644 8,041 119.6 702 87

Propane 261 1,948 1,471 7.5 1,324 52

Wood 38 177 101 4.6 1,757 55

Coal Q Q Q Q Q Q

Other 25 341 Q 13.5 959 54

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 4,413 76,080 82,300 17.2 924 64

Natural gas 12 725 1,041 60.9 696 67

District chilled water 54 4,476 5,767 83.0 776 87

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,658 42,777 46,827 16.1 914 61

Natural gas 1,758 39,581 41,898 22.5 945 70

Fuel oil 77 1,918 1,623 24.8 1,182 80

District heat 25 4,424 6,363 174.7 695 101

Propane 142 1,580 1,258 11.2 1,256 75

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,010 25,099 27,330 24.8 918 72

Natural gas 740 24,669 25,879 33.3 953 81

Propane 144 2,006 1,971 13.9 1,018 85

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 4,722 80,073 85,625 17.0 935 63

Buildings with cooling 4,461 79,271 85,781 17.8 924 64

Buildings with water heating 4,423 78,998 85,454 17.9 924 65

Buildings with cooking 1,589 38,437 41,241 24.2 932 74

Buildings with manufacturing 259 5,059 5,043 19.6 1,003 57

Buildings with electricity

generation 410 25,600 30,971 62.4 827 92
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 30

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 835 7,004 2,562 8.4 2,734 56

1 to 50 697 10,152 6,413 14.6 1,583 54

51 to 99 727 14,673 15,548 20.2 944 67

100 3,298 55,248 63,664 16.8 868 64

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 1,096 7,806 2,407 7.1 3,243 51

1 to 50 1,173 18,955 12,646 16.2 1,499 58

51 to 99 897 22,756 25,331 25.4 898 70

100 2,391 37,560 47,804 15.7 786 65

Percent lit when open

Zero 70 322 Q 4.6 Q 113

1 to 50 1,099 12,650 6,713 11.5 1,884 64

51 to 99 1,666 34,858 36,389 20.9 958 64

100 2,222 35,642 44,893 16.0 794 65

Building never open/electricity

not used 501 3,605 Q 7.2 Q 25

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 2,489 24,759 23,161 9.9 1,069 48

1 to 50 2,441 50,840 54,612 20.8 931 69

51 to 100 202 6,798 7,768 33.7 875 125

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 102 2,453 2,579 24.0 951 168

Electricity not used 323 2,226 Q 6.9 Q 39

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 628 11,809 13,309 18.8 887 63

Furnaces 755 8,683 8,562 11.5 1,014 58

Individual space heaters 1,247 20,733 19,388 16.6 1,069 60

District heat 48 5,776 8,149 121.1 709 87

Boilers 544 22,448 25,159 41.3 892 70

Packaged heating units 2,802 49,305 51,091 17.6 965 64

Other 62 1,573 1,202 25.5 1,308 86

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 1,546 14,767 15,104 9.6 978 58

Heat pumps 692 12,520 14,272 18.1 877 63

Individual air conditioners 709 12,364 12,347 17.4 1,001 66

District chilled water 54 4,476 5,767 83.0 776 87

Central chillers 163 17,009 21,983 104.4 774 84

Packaged air conditioning units 1,909 45,246 46,978 23.7 963 70

Swamp coolers 109 1,923 1,752 17.6 1,097 66

Other Q 331 474 Q 699 56
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 31

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 1,874 27,603 28,658 14.7 963 62

Cooling 1,971 30,713 33,374 15.6 920 63

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 3,348 47,525 50,191 14.2 947 65

Distributed system 690 12,743 14,223 18.5 896 60

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 385 18,731 21,039 48.7 890 75

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 1,826 38,345 41,620 21.0 921 63

Standard fluorescent 4,649 80,058 85,654 17.2 935 64

Compact fluorescent 2,302 53,779 59,934 23.4 897 71

High-intensity discharge (HID) 525 23,365 23,790 44.5 982 72

Halogen 905 27,965 30,493 30.9 917 69

LED 473 21,987 25,904 46.5 849 83

Other 10 426 564 43.1 754 82

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 3,984 73,624 78,944 18.5 933 65

Walk-in units 811 28,262 31,138 34.8 908 93

Cases or cabinets 915 28,676 31,535 31.3 909 86

Large cold storage areas 78 4,125 3,691 52.8 1,117 89

Commercial ice makers 846 32,680 36,521 38.6 895 90

Residential-type or compact units 3,388 62,453 67,690 18.4 923 61

Vending machines 960 43,922 49,689 45.8 884 80

No refrigeration 1,573 13,453 9,244 8.6 1,455 52

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 3,977 77,040 84,343 19.4 913 66

With flat screen monitors 3,847 76,138 83,879 19.8 908 66

With multiple monitors 911 30,926 43,405 34.0 712 67

Laptop computers 2,730 63,468 73,342 23.2 865 66

Dedicated servers 1,748 53,335 63,436 30.5 841 69

Laser printers 2,339 54,218 63,501 23.2 854 66

Inkjet printers 2,187 36,264 37,773 16.6 960 65

FAX machines 3,185 66,667 73,798 20.9 903 66

Photocopiers 2,163 59,246 68,515 27.4 865 64
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 32

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Number of desktop computers

None 1,581 10,036 3,844 6.3 2,611 51

1 to 4 2,039 15,671 11,304 7.7 1,386 65

5 to 9 821 9,425 9,594 11.5 982 63

10 to 19 482 9,393 8,659 19.5 1,085 65

20 to 49 355 13,113 12,782 37.0 1,026 71

50 to 99 143 8,318 9,293 58.0 895 73

100 to 249 92 9,705 12,514 105.4 776 69

250 or more 44 11,414 20,197 256.9 565 86

Number of laptop computers

None 2,827 23,608 14,845 8.4 1,590 58

1 to 4 1,944 21,193 17,749 10.9 1,194 63

5 to 9 350 8,378 8,868 24.0 945 67

10 to 19 181 8,343 9,267 46.0 900 70

20 to 49 144 9,586 11,646 66.8 823 73

50 to 99 58 5,244 8,235 91.1 637 75

100 to 249 35 5,244 6,614 151.7 793 87

250 or more 20 5,481 10,963 277.7 500 95

Number of dedicated servers

None 3,809 33,741 24,752 8.9 1,363 58

1 to 4 1,562 34,065 34,314 21.8 993 68

5 to 9 97 6,294 7,841 64.9 803 74

10 to 19 50 5,659 7,569 112.6 748 82

20 to 49 25 3,781 6,712 148.3 563 82

50 or more 13 3,536 6,999 269.3 505 100

Number of photocopiers

None 3,394 27,830 19,673 8.2 1,415 60

One 1,325 17,086 13,348 12.9 1,280 61

2 to 4 648 20,337 21,540 31.4 944 66

5 to 9 116 8,920 10,503 77.2 849 74

10 or more 75 12,903 23,124 173.1 558 82

Number of TVs or video displays

None 2,718 24,355 17,802 9.0 1,368 53

One 1,145 10,001 10,015 8.7 999 58

2 to 4 1,035 16,481 17,695 15.9 931 68

5 to 9 314 8,150 10,104 25.9 807 82

10 to 19 154 8,133 10,344 52.9 786 90

20 to 49 106 8,132 8,926 76.8 911 102

50 to 99 48 4,439 4,387 92.2 1,012 129

100 or more 37 7,386 8,911 197.2 829 156
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 33

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 153 9,752 10,290 63.7 948 94

Fast food or small restaurant 173 9,670 10,917 55.8 886 92

Cafeteria or large restaurant 130 15,152 17,640 116.5 859 80

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 282 15,962 15,364 56.5 1,039 86

Small kitchen area 736 13,975 13,628 19.0 1,025 61

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 97 10,986 18,059 113.8 608 82

Computer-based training room 244 17,592 22,231 72.1 791 74

Student or public computer center 238 14,253 12,513 59.8 1,139 70

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 601 30,631 35,408 51.0 865 74

Regular HVAC maintenance 3,178 69,221 77,874 21.8 889 68

Building automation system (BAS)2 781 36,979 42,363 47.4 873 73

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 3,012 60,294 62,249 20.0 969 63

Tinted window glass 1,875 44,952 50,837 24.0 884 65

Reflective window glass 549 15,810 18,972 28.8 833 66

External overhangs or awnings 1,867 32,065 33,762 17.2 950 66

Skylights or atriums 591 22,203 21,945 37.5 1,012 65

Light scheduling 918 30,258 34,986 33.0 865 75

Occupancy sensors 813 35,775 40,953 44.0 874 75

Multi-level lighting or dimming 349 14,419 16,133 41.3 894 76

Daylight harvesting 125 6,090 7,722 48.6 789 70

Demand responsive lighting 176 4,762 4,895 27.0 973 65

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 208 12,017 13,292 57.7 904 78
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 34

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

Workers

(thousand)

Mean 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Mean square 

feet per 

worker

Mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 15.7 987 62

Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of operation, 

2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 3,699 63,183 68,464 17.1 923 58

Cooling 3,517 62,590 68,317 17.8 916 59

Lighting 4,757 78,558 83,816 16.5 937 61

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS).

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See the Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for 

definitions of terms used in these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from 

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Form EIA-871A of the 2012 

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 35

Release date: June 2015

Revised date: August 2016

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 2,777 8,042 10,232 2.8 825 49 37

5,001 to 10,000 1,229 8,902 9,225 7.0 1,167 50 31

10,001 to 25,000 884 14,108 14,189 15.0 1,444 56 32

25,001 to 50,000 332 11,915 11,327 35.0 1,450 60 29

50,001 to 100,000 199 13,914 12,345 67.0 1,442 60 26

100,001 to 200,000 90 12,425 11,310 132.0 1,758 72 25

200,001 to 500,000 38 10,718 10,356 260.0 1,741 76 27

Over 500,000 8 7,053 9,202 700.0 1,231 127 29

Principal building activity

Education 389 12,239 10,885 10.0 1,033 50 30

Food sales 177 1,252 1,172 3.2 1,033 114 30

Food service 380 1,819 3,431 3.6 567 80 33

Health care 157 4,133 7,595 5.0 556 48 31

Inpatient 10 2,352 4,262 102.0 583 168 36

Outpatient 147 1,780 3,333 5.0 556 48 31

Lodging 158 5,722 3,066 14.8 2,531 168 37

Mercantile 602 11,391 9,117 6.6 1,200 60 33

Retail (other than mall) 438 5,437 4,023 5.0 1,450 56 37

Enclosed and strip malls 164 5,954 5,093 13.5 920 70 28

Office 1,012 16,007 33,785 5.0 600 47 33

Public assembly 352 5,531 3,103 5.4 1,800 53 41

Public order and safety 84 1,434 1,854 6.1 750 168 23

Religious worship 412 4,559 1,940 6.0 2,700 20 41

Service 619 4,587 4,031 4.0 1,200 50 35

Warehouse and storage 796 13,130 6,362 5.5 1,500 55 26

Other 125 2,015 1,611 6.0 1,500 50 28

Vacant 296 3,257 236 4.3 4,800 40 50

Year constructed

Before 1920 362 3,981 3,310 4.8 1,200 45 1017

1920 to 1945 488 5,985 6,013 4.0 1,200 48 1017

1946 to 1959 599 7,352 6,569 4.0 1,100 50 59

1960 to 1969 639 10,361 9,865 6.0 1,067 50 48

1970 to 1979 684 10,868 12,524 5.3 947 50 38

1980 to 1989 915 15,262 17,469 5.8 1,000 55 27

1990 to 1999 845 13,843 13,420 5.0 1,000 55 17

2000 to 2003 375 7,229 7,491 5.5 1,000 55 11

2004 to 2007 347 6,484 5,997 6.0 1,100 54 6

2008 to 2012 303 5,712 5,529 6.8 1,100 60 3

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 36

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Census region and division

Northeast 805 15,547 17,752 6.0 1,050 55 46

New England 302 4,305 4,161 5.6 1,000 56 37

Middle Atlantic 504 11,242 13,592 6.0 1,100 55 48

Midwest 1,237 18,916 17,292 5.0 1,286 50 37

East North Central 735 12,751 11,951 5.0 1,200 50 37

West North Central 502 6,165 5,341 4.8 1,450 50 37

South 2,247 34,262 32,696 5.0 1,000 50 29

South Atlantic 1,091 17,957 18,131 5.3 987 55 28

East South Central 370 4,896 4,293 5.0 1,071 46 33

West South Central 786 11,409 10,272 5.0 1,000 50 29

West 1,267 18,351 20,446 5.3 963 50 32

Mountain 338 4,900 4,586 5.0 978 50 29

Pacific 929 13,451 15,860 5.5 963 50 34

Number of floors

One 3,836 39,851 35,019 4.5 1,000 50 29

Two 1,158 20,244 19,752 7.0 1,100 50 42

Three 374 8,160 7,826 7.8 1,200 56 1017

Four to nine 177 13,514 16,292 40.0 1,040 60 60

Ten or more 13 5,307 9,298 290.0 653 72 37

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 405 32,039 39,984 40.0 1,036 60 31

Number of elevators

One 272 11,152 11,347 25.0 1,200 60 37

Two to five 118 12,845 15,489 80.0 933 68 27

Six or more 16 8,042 13,148 390.0 693 122 30

Any escalators 10 3,482 4,812 100.0 750 100 62

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 2,892 17,756 5,064 3.4 1,667 50 37

5 to 9 1,085 8,976 7,017 5.0 833 50 32

10 to 19 731 9,625 9,472 7.9 625 56 28

20 to 49 513 14,519 14,881 17.0 652 60 28

50 to 99 206 13,507 13,424 48.5 775 60 29

100 to 249 93 10,943 13,368 77.0 533 65 27

250 or more 37 11,750 24,962 200.0 391 69 28

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 1,149 8,226 3,291 3.6 1,500 18 42

40 to 48 1,346 15,815 17,559 4.8 900 40 34

49 to 60 1,244 20,612 24,855 6.6 1,000 55 31

61 to 84 764 15,934 16,679 7.0 960 72 32

85 to 167 479 9,434 8,087 5.0 967 104 27

Open continuously 575 17,056 17,718 7.0 1,250 168 26
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 37

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 4,715 73,656 74,455 5.0 1,071 50 33

Business owner or tenant 724 11,346 11,127 5.6 929 60 32

Property management 54 1,244 1,736 4.8 788 60 26

Other 64 831 870 5.2 1,050 48 26

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 4,876 76,240 76,795 5.0 1,077 50 33

Business owner or tenant 540 8,304 8,616 5.5 855 60 33

Property management 35 889 954 4.5 450 60 30

Other 106 1,643 1,822 6.1 967 50 26

Number of establishments

One 4,205 54,992 52,122 5.0 1,100 50 32

2 to 5 862 17,701 18,902 7.2 933 50 32

6 to 10 147 4,380 5,897 14.0 833 60 29

11 to 20 68 3,710 5,258 30.0 793 66 25

More than 20 27 3,899 6,008 62.0 714 74 27

Currently unoccupied 248 2,395 N 3.2 N N 52

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 2,312 40,527 41,645 5.7 1,000 50 40

Concrete (block or poured) 1,121 20,622 20,223 5.9 1,067 55 38

Concrete panels 210 8,701 9,486 12.0 1,050 60 26

Siding or shingles 905 5,761 6,013 3.6 933 50 34

Metal panels 933 8,670 5,805 5.0 1,440 50 21

Window glass 17 1,344 2,631 13.3 509 60 25

Other 37 857 844 4.9 1,250 50 31

No one major type 21 595 Q 11.0 1,083 58 25

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 1,672 15,932 12,024 5.0 1,250 50 23

Synthetic or rubber 911 25,774 27,560 8.0 1,000 59 39

Built-up 836 21,853 24,066 7.2 1,000 55 40

Slate or tile shingles 406 4,292 4,262 4.4 1,000 50 38

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 157 1,140 999 3.6 1,200 58 41

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 1,483 15,115 16,289 4.5 900 50 38

Concrete 51 1,650 2,086 8.8 818 60 33

Other 24 681 567 12.0 1,167 53 37

No one major type 18 640 333 12.0 1,950 49 38
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 38

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 1,960 49,601 57,140 7.5 978 60 37

Shallow pitch 2,148 23,881 19,528 4.5 1,100 50 31

Steeper pitch 1,449 13,594 11,519 4.9 1,143 48 32

Cool roof 740 19,570 21,650 6.6 1,000 55 29

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 2,094 42,144 46,433 5.7 1,000 50 44

Addition or annex 444 12,932 12,478 7.6 1,083 55 41

Reduction in floorspace 71 1,718 2,567 6.0 1,200 70 45

Roof replacement 987 20,865 22,854 5.8 1,033 50 48

Exterior wall replacement 194 4,212 4,532 5.0 1,000 55 52

Interior wall reconfiguration 889 21,318 27,682 6.0 885 54 44

Window replacement 560 12,124 14,125 6.0 1,000 50 53

HVAC equipment upgrade 1,101 26,660 30,172 6.5 1,000 52 46

Lighting upgrade 982 25,403 28,286 6.4 1,017 54 47

Electrical upgrade 747 16,019 17,758 5.2 1,000 54 52

Plumbing system upgrade 644 13,723 16,095 5.4 1,000 54 51

Insulation upgrade 382 7,500 8,365 5.6 1,000 50 50

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 616 17,126 20,081 6.5 1,000 55 48

Structural upgrade 152 3,821 3,759 7.0 908 55 47

Other 39 872 1,015 4.0 1,600 55 55

No renovations 3,160 39,220 36,225 5.0 1,050 50 29

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 303 5,712 5,529 6.8 1,100 60 3

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5,234 84,850 88,120 5.2 1,025 50 32

Natural gas 2,933 58,729 62,345 6.3 1,000 53 37

Fuel oil 467 20,130 25,663 7.0 1,180 55 42

District heat 48 5,817 8,222 57.0 1,250 72 45

District chilled water 54 4,476 5,767 29.0 1,140 75 33

Propane 510 7,709 5,909 5.1 1,333 50 31

Wood 69 500 476 3.5 1,600 54 42

Coal Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Solar 40 1,908 1,713 13.8 1,267 60 30

Other 61 1,387 1,526 7.8 1,267 55 37
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 39

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Space-heating energy sources 

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,858 49,039 53,892 5.3 1,000 50 32

Natural gas 2,612 49,611 51,727 6.3 1,013 50 38

Fuel oil 270 4,360 4,160 4.8 1,350 50 50

District heat 48 5,776 8,149 57.0 1,250 72 45

Propane 342 3,066 2,510 5.0 1,350 48 31

Wood 63 393 212 3.5 1,800 54 40

Coal Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Solar Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Other 32 508 463 11.0 1,267 50 37

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 1,819 26,283 28,973 5.0 950 51 28

Natural gas 2,322 43,054 44,630 6.0 1,022 50 38

Fuel oil 205 2,545 2,000 4.5 1,333 50 52

District heat 47 5,644 8,041 57.0 1,227 72 45

Propane 261 1,948 1,471 4.8 1,500 45 27

Wood 38 177 101 3.2 1,600 54 40

Coal Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Other 25 341 Q 8.1 1,222 50 38

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 4,413 76,080 82,300 5.6 1,000 50 32

Natural gas 12 725 1,041 9.9 1,275 48 52

District chilled water 54 4,476 5,767 29.0 1,140 75 33

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,658 42,777 46,827 5.2 1,000 50 31

Natural gas 1,758 39,581 41,898 7.0 1,000 56 37

Fuel oil 77 1,918 1,623 7.0 1,350 60 52

District heat 25 4,424 6,363 97.0 1,267 80 46

Propane 142 1,580 1,258 5.6 1,200 55 26

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,010 25,099 27,330 6.0 1,067 60 33

Natural gas 740 24,669 25,879 8.0 963 70 37

Propane 144 2,006 1,971 4.8 1,100 75 28

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 4,722 80,073 85,625 5.4 1,017 50 33

Buildings with cooling 4,461 79,271 85,781 5.7 1,000 50 32

Buildings with water heating 4,423 78,998 85,454 5.8 1,000 50 33

Buildings with cooking 1,589 38,437 41,241 6.2 1,033 60 35

Buildings with manufacturing 259 5,059 5,043 6.7 1,167 50 30

Buildings with electricity

generation 410 25,600 30,971 15.0 1,013 70 27
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 40

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 835 7,004 2,562 3.5 1,281 65 30

1 to 50 697 10,152 6,413 6.0 1,400 49 34

51 to 99 727 14,673 15,548 6.5 1,150 55 37

100 3,298 55,248 63,664 5.0 950 50 33

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 1,096 7,806 2,407 3.6 1,500 55 33

1 to 50 1,173 18,955 12,646 6.4 1,400 50 35

51 to 99 897 22,756 25,331 7.5 967 56 36

100 2,391 37,560 47,804 5.0 833 50 31

Percent lit when open

Zero 70 322 Q 3.5 Q 105 9

1 to 50 1,099 12,650 6,713 5.0 1,667 48 39

51 to 99 1,666 34,858 36,389 7.0 1,000 50 34

100 2,222 35,642 44,893 5.0 875 54 30

Building never open/electricity

not used 501 3,605 Q 3.0 Q 98 39

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 2,489 24,759 23,161 4.8 1,129 45 33

1 to 50 2,441 50,840 54,612 6.5 1,000 59 33

51 to 100 202 6,798 7,768 6.7 933 168 32

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 102 2,453 2,579 5.2 1,000 168 20

Electricity not used 323 2,226 Q 3.0 Q 98 33

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 628 11,809 13,309 5.6 963 50 27

Furnaces 755 8,683 8,562 5.4 1,000 50 33

Individual space heaters 1,247 20,733 19,388 5.3 1,200 50 42

District heat 48 5,776 8,149 57.0 1,250 72 45

Boilers 544 22,448 25,159 14.0 1,200 55 46

Packaged heating units 2,802 49,305 51,091 6.0 1,000 53 32

Other 62 1,573 1,202 8.0 1,250 70 32

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 1,546 14,767 15,104 5.0 1,000 50 35

Heat pumps 692 12,520 14,272 5.5 950 50 27

Individual air conditioners 709 12,364 12,347 5.0 1,200 50 47

District chilled water 54 4,476 5,767 29.0 1,140 75 33

Central chillers 163 17,009 21,983 51.0 1,270 60 32

Packaged air conditioning units 1,909 45,246 46,978 7.6 963 59 31

Swamp coolers 109 1,923 1,752 4.9 1,050 59 37

Other Q 331 474 10.5 1,225 40 54
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 41

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 1,874 27,603 28,658 5.2 1,000 50 47

Cooling 1,971 30,713 33,374 5.3 1,000 50 47

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 3,348 47,525 50,191 5.2 1,000 50 34

Distributed system 690 12,743 14,223 6.0 1,050 50 32

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 385 18,731 21,039 17.0 1,013 62 29

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 1,826 38,345 41,620 6.0 1,036 50 39

Standard fluorescent 4,649 80,058 85,654 5.5 1,000 50 32

Compact fluorescent 2,302 53,779 59,934 6.7 1,000 58 33

High-intensity discharge (HID) 525 23,365 23,790 14.0 1,250 60 30

Halogen 905 27,965 30,493 8.8 1,143 59 31

LED 473 21,987 25,904 14.8 1,000 70 29

Other 10 426 564 10.0 750 70 34

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 3,984 73,624 78,944 5.8 1,000 53 33

Walk-in units 811 28,262 31,138 6.6 862 84 31

Cases or cabinets 915 28,676 31,535 6.6 967 76 31

Large cold storage areas 78 4,125 3,691 11.0 1,020 78 25

Commercial ice makers 846 32,680 36,521 9.3 932 78 28

Residential-type or compact units 3,388 62,453 67,690 5.9 1,000 50 34

Vending machines 960 43,922 49,689 17.0 1,000 65 29

No refrigeration 1,573 13,453 9,244 4.0 1,250 50 32

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 3,977 77,040 84,343 6.3 986 50 32

With flat screen monitors 3,847 76,138 83,879 6.4 963 50 32

With multiple monitors 911 30,926 43,405 10.0 750 55 29

Laptop computers 2,730 63,468 73,342 7.2 1,000 52 32

Dedicated servers 1,748 53,335 63,436 9.9 833 55 31

Laser printers 2,339 54,218 63,501 7.2 887 50 32

Inkjet printers 2,187 36,264 37,773 5.8 1,013 50 32

FAX machines 3,185 66,667 73,798 6.6 967 51 32

Photocopiers 2,163 59,246 68,515 9.0 900 50 32
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 42

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Number of desktop computers

None 1,581 10,036 3,844 3.3 1,500 50 36

1 to 4 2,039 15,671 11,304 4.5 1,200 50 35

5 to 9 821 9,425 9,594 6.0 825 50 32

10 to 19 482 9,393 8,659 9.9 700 51 27

20 to 49 355 13,113 12,782 19.5 757 55 27

50 to 99 143 8,318 9,293 36.5 677 60 36

100 to 249 92 9,705 12,514 68.0 771 55 30

250 or more 44 11,414 20,197 174.0 720 64 29

Number of laptop computers

None 2,827 23,608 14,845 4.0 1,200 50 33

1 to 4 1,944 21,193 17,749 5.2 1,040 50 33

5 to 9 350 8,378 8,868 10.0 762 55 30

10 to 19 181 8,343 9,267 25.0 750 56 27

20 to 49 144 9,586 11,646 41.0 642 55 30

50 to 99 58 5,244 8,235 56.0 830 55 31

100 to 249 35 5,244 6,614 100.0 1,200 65 33

250 or more 20 5,481 10,963 190.0 729 70 26

Number of dedicated servers

None 3,809 33,741 24,752 4.3 1,200 50 33

1 to 4 1,562 34,065 34,314 8.3 867 55 32

5 to 9 97 6,294 7,841 34.0 600 55 27

10 to 19 50 5,659 7,569 68.0 750 60 27

20 to 49 25 3,781 6,712 72.0 500 60 26

50 or more 13 3,536 6,999 156.0 545 72 27

Number of photocopiers

None 3,394 27,830 19,673 4.0 1,200 53 33

One 1,325 17,086 13,348 6.0 1,025 50 33

2 to 4 648 20,337 21,540 14.5 800 54 28

5 to 9 116 8,920 10,503 44.5 793 60 28

10 or more 75 12,903 23,124 78.0 510 60 30

Number of TVs or video displays

None 2,718 24,355 17,802 4.0 1,100 50 33

One 1,145 10,001 10,015 4.6 1,000 50 33

2 to 4 1,035 16,481 17,695 7.2 975 58 30

5 to 9 314 8,150 10,104 9.6 900 70 31

10 to 19 154 8,133 10,344 26.5 933 70 32

20 to 49 106 8,132 8,926 40.0 1,275 78 27

50 to 99 48 4,439 4,387 50.0 1,720 168 26

100 or more 37 7,386 8,911 91.0 2,500 168 28
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 43

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 153 9,752 10,290 11.0 1,257 81 32

Fast food or small restaurant 173 9,670 10,917 13.0 920 77 25

Cafeteria or large restaurant 130 15,152 17,640 67.0 1,250 60 34

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 282 15,962 15,364 20.0 1,412 70 31

Small kitchen area 736 13,975 13,628 6.0 1,400 48 40

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 97 10,986 18,059 40.0 590 56 28

Computer-based training room 244 17,592 22,231 30.0 1,000 60 27

Student or public computer center 238 14,253 12,513 28.0 1,208 55 31

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 601 30,631 35,408 16.5 1,022 60 27

Regular HVAC maintenance 3,178 69,221 77,874 6.8 960 55 31

Building automation system (BAS)2 781 36,979 42,363 14.0 1,077 60 24

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 3,012 60,294 62,249 6.3 1,000 50 28

Tinted window glass 1,875 44,952 50,837 7.2 960 55 28

Reflective window glass 549 15,810 18,972 8.8 967 59 26

External overhangs or awnings 1,867 32,065 33,762 5.6 1,000 55 33

Skylights or atriums 591 22,203 21,945 11.0 1,176 55 28

Light scheduling 918 30,258 34,986 9.5 1,000 61 27

Occupancy sensors 813 35,775 40,953 14.3 983 60 26

Multi-level lighting or dimming 349 14,419 16,133 13.0 1,000 70 28

Daylight harvesting 125 6,090 7,722 14.0 932 60 27

Demand responsive lighting 176 4,762 4,895 9.5 1,100 55 32

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 208 12,017 13,292 16.3 1,138 70 19
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 44

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Total

workers

(thousand)

Median 

square feet

per building 

(thousand)

Median 

square feet 

per worker

Median 

operating 

hours per 

week

Median 

age of 

buildings 

(years)

All buildings 5,557 87,076 88,187 5.0 1,029 50 32

Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 3,699 63,183 68,464 5.5 1,013 50 34

Cooling 3,517 62,590 68,317 5.8 1,000 50 33

Lighting 4,757 78,558 83,816 5.4 1,013 50 33

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) .

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definition 

of terms used in these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from 

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Form EIA-871A of the 2012 Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 45

Release date: June 2015

Revised date: August 2016

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 2,777 372 645 1,159 601 8,042 1,057 1,858 3,383 1,744

5,001 to 10,000 1,229 171 257 491 310 8,902 1,249 1,872 3,536 2,246

10,001 to 25,000 884 152 183 327 221 14,108 2,407 2,889 5,211 3,600

25,001 to 50,000 332 47 83 127 75 11,915 1,644 3,029 4,526 2,716

50,001 to 100,000 199 36 40 88 34 13,914 2,675 2,730 6,137 2,373

100,001 to 200,000 90 18 18 37 17 12,425 2,545 2,402 5,154 2,324

200,001 to 500,000 38 8 10 13 7 10,718 2,230 2,728 3,676 2,084

Over 500,000 8 2 2 3 1 7,053 1,741 1,408 2,639 1,265

Principal building activity

Education 389 45 67 159 118 12,239 2,058 3,176 5,157 1,848

Food sales 177 27 34 81 35 1,252 316 174 399 363

Food service 380 62 77 160 80 1,819 292 369 771 387

Health care 157 22 44 54 37 4,133 1,064 850 1,426 793

Inpatient 10 2 2 4 2 2,352 536 484 878 454

Outpatient 147 21 42 50 35 1,780 528 366 548 339

Lodging 158 27 23 69 38 5,722 1,001 1,048 2,281 1,391

Mercantile 602 98 131 251 122 11,391 1,658 2,139 4,753 2,841

Retail (other than mall) 438 75 103 177 83 5,437 834 1,144 2,123 1,337

Enclosed and strip malls 164 23 28 74 39 5,954 824 996 2,630 1,504

Office 1,012 148 230 390 245 16,007 3,753 3,317 5,496 3,441

Public assembly 352 65 100 110 77 5,531 948 1,598 1,975 1,010

Public order and safety 84 14 19 39 Q 1,434 341 333 575 Q

Religious worship 412 51 92 195 74 4,559 897 925 2,012 725

Service 619 108 177 230 103 4,587 778 1,472 1,642 695

Warehouse and storage 796 89 163 325 219 13,130 1,776 2,542 5,279 3,533

Other 125 18 30 34 43 2,015 278 436 834 468

Vacant 296 32 51 150 63 3,257 388 536 1,661 672

Year constructed

Before 1920 362 112 106 104 40 3,981 1,635 1,040 977 329

1920 to 1945 488 125 140 128 94 5,985 1,937 1,767 1,484 796

1946 to 1959 599 96 110 229 164 7,352 1,574 1,672 2,601 1,506

1960 to 1969 639 100 159 232 148 10,361 2,251 2,662 3,512 1,937

1970 to 1979 684 75 160 274 176 10,868 1,959 2,621 3,702 2,587

1980 to 1989 915 86 172 427 231 15,262 1,741 2,620 6,953 3,947

1990 to 1999 845 90 203 385 168 13,843 2,066 2,791 6,187 2,799

2000 to 2003 375 46 80 159 90 7,229 976 1,508 3,320 1,425

2004 to 2007 347 37 50 163 97 6,484 503 1,237 2,843 1,901

2008 to 2012 303 38 57 147 61 5,712 907 998 2,683 1,124

Number of floors

One 3,836 360 785 1,737 954 39,851 3,878 7,656 18,545 9,772

Two 1,158 236 296 377 248 20,244 4,105 4,872 6,997 4,270

Three 374 147 121 63 43 8,160 2,420 2,615 2,041 1,084

Four to nine 177 60 33 64 21 13,514 3,419 2,914 4,953 2,229

Ten or more 13 4 2 5 2 5,307 1,727 858 1,726 996

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 46

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 405 90 102 137 77 32,039 7,903 7,547 10,980 5,610

Number of elevators

One 272 58 74 89 50 11,152 2,577 3,223 3,659 1,694

Two to five 118 27 25 42 24 12,845 3,152 2,790 4,620 2,283

Six or more 16 5 3 6 3 8,042 2,174 1,534 2,701 1,633

Any escalators 10 3 Q 2 2 3,482 752 868 994 868

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 2,892 414 715 1,163 600 17,756 2,692 4,287 7,339 3,438

5 to 9 1,085 154 224 448 259 8,976 1,282 1,912 3,554 2,227

10 to 19 731 106 129 297 200 9,625 1,391 1,881 3,813 2,540

20 to 49 513 68 104 198 143 14,519 1,904 3,372 5,614 3,629

50 to 99 206 31 41 97 36 13,507 2,399 2,761 6,091 2,256

100 to 249 93 21 18 32 22 10,943 2,525 2,323 4,163 1,932

250 or more 37 10 7 11 8 11,750 3,355 2,379 3,687 2,329

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 1,149 149 290 489 221 8,226 1,174 2,028 3,509 1,514

40 to 48 1,346 168 302 536 339 15,815 2,361 3,032 6,787 3,635

49 to 60 1,244 199 254 501 290 20,612 3,379 4,379 8,525 4,328

61 to 84 764 131 155 270 209 15,934 3,317 3,639 5,294 3,684

85 to 167 479 75 98 204 101 9,434 1,898 2,441 3,147 1,949

Open continuously 575 83 139 247 106 17,056 3,420 3,396 6,999 3,241

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 4,715 661 1,118 1,881 1,054 73,656 13,319 16,798 28,751 14,788

Business owner or tenant 724 124 102 308 190 11,346 1,820 1,736 4,563 3,228

Property management 54 Q Q 24 16 1,244 Q Q 636 244

Other 64 Q Q 33 Q 831 Q Q 313 Q

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 4,876 682 1,136 1,947 1,112 76,240 13,584 17,142 29,799 15,715

Business owner or tenant 540 94 77 230 139 8,304 1,395 1,285 3,348 2,276

Property management 35 Q Q 15 Q 889 Q Q 353 Q

Other 106 23 15 55 13 1,643 314 347 762 221

Number of establishments

One 4,205 602 974 1,690 939 54,992 9,544 12,519 21,767 11,161

2 to 5 862 150 192 328 193 17,701 3,261 4,207 6,489 3,744

6 to 10 147 19 21 63 44 4,380 767 782 1,727 1,104

11 to 20 68 8 8 27 25 3,710 844 493 1,555 818

More than 20 27 3 2 8 14 3,899 869 529 1,417 1,084

Currently unoccupied 248 24 41 130 53 2,395 262 386 1,307 440
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 47

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 2,312 317 528 934 534 40,527 7,686 9,056 16,659 7,126

Concrete (block or poured) 1,121 140 217 529 236 20,622 3,556 3,995 8,139 4,932

Concrete panels 210 16 21 68 105 8,701 827 1,707 3,181 2,986

Siding or shingles 905 239 218 238 210 5,761 1,589 1,395 1,388 1,389

Metal panels 933 82 231 458 162 8,670 1,020 2,146 4,245 1,259

Window glass 17 4 Q 2 10 1,344 437 Q 356 328

Other 37 Q Q Q Q 857 Q Q Q Q

No one major type 21 Q Q Q Q 595 Q Q Q Q

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 1,672 148 367 858 298 15,932 1,640 3,286 8,294 2,712

Synthetic or rubber 911 175 292 261 183 25,774 5,860 7,485 7,775 4,654

Built-up 836 90 117 373 256 21,853 3,779 3,979 8,885 5,210

Slate or tile shingles 406 66 47 162 130 4,292 841 391 1,847 1,213

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 157 27 Q 58 45 1,140 162 Q 383 469

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 1,483 282 371 498 332 15,115 2,684 3,268 5,840 3,323

Concrete 51 10 Q 25 11 1,650 299 Q 858 404

Other 24 Q Q Q Q 681 Q Q Q Q

No one major type 18 Q Q Q Q 640 Q Q Q Q

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 1,960 286 358 764 552 49,601 10,065 10,554 18,101 10,882

Shallow pitch 2,148 213 493 955 487 23,881 2,543 5,026 11,051 5,261

Steeper pitch 1,449 306 386 528 229 13,594 2,940 3,337 5,110 2,207

Cool roof 740 76 132 280 252 19,570 3,348 3,642 7,522 5,058

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 2,094 352 521 789 432 42,144 9,261 10,078 15,368 7,437

Addition or annex 444 63 136 176 69 12,932 2,573 4,075 4,575 1,709

Reduction in floorspace 71 11 19 30 12 1,718 577 265 598 277

Roof replacement 987 178 272 359 178 20,865 5,440 5,379 6,947 3,099

Exterior wall replacement 194 31 50 83 31 4,212 927 1,062 1,423 801

Interior wall reconfiguration 889 181 210 295 204 21,318 5,067 5,188 6,839 4,224

Window replacement 560 117 157 184 102 12,124 3,391 3,009 3,741 1,983

HVAC equipment upgrade 1,101 191 291 421 197 26,660 6,465 6,511 9,314 4,370

Lighting upgrade 982 187 232 352 211 25,403 6,003 6,086 8,801 4,514

Electrical upgrade 747 155 180 273 139 16,019 3,976 3,980 5,415 2,648

Plumbing system upgrade 644 124 173 231 116 13,723 3,393 3,419 4,584 2,327

Insulation upgrade 382 75 123 133 52 7,500 1,741 2,187 2,317 1,256

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 616 145 147 210 114 17,126 4,623 3,779 5,814 2,910

Structural upgrade 152 38 43 40 30 3,821 743 878 1,158 1,041

Other 39 Q Q Q Q 872 Q Q Q Q

No renovations 3,160 415 660 1,311 775 39,220 5,379 7,840 16,211 9,789

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 303 38 57 147 61 5,712 907 998 2,683 1,124
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 48

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5,234 770 1,171 2,086 1,207 84,850 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982

Natural gas 2,933 433 843 950 707 58,729 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702

Fuel oil 467 217 77 131 43 20,130 6,075 3,915 7,051 3,088

District heat 48 16 7 18 7 5,817 1,954 907 2,136 820

District chilled water 54 7 2 35 9 4,476 782 563 2,440 692

Propane 510 106 133 187 84 7,709 1,746 1,933 2,593 1,437

Other 172 51 50 34 37 3,825 1,089 797 906 1,034

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,858 310 493 1,380 676 49,039 7,264 8,620 22,552 10,603

Natural gas 2,612 392 819 782 618 49,611 9,393 14,042 15,472 10,704

Fuel oil 270 170 39 53 Q 4,360 2,857 667 769 Q

District heat 48 16 7 18 7 5,776 1,954 907 2,114 801

Propane 342 59 105 124 54 3,066 654 1,003 928 482

Other 101 Q 32 Q Q 1,008 206 301 Q Q

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 1,819 138 193 1,043 445 26,283 2,191 2,969 15,152 5,971

Natural gas 2,322 361 768 647 547 43,054 8,399 13,096 12,340 9,220

Fuel oil 205 141 Q 32 Q 2,545 1,990 Q 299 Q

District heat 47 15 6 18 7 5,644 1,927 862 2,054 801

Propane 261 46 84 92 38 1,948 377 723 613 235

Other 67 Q Q Q Q 598 Q Q Q Q

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 4,413 583 967 1,861 1,001 76,080 13,320 16,831 29,927 16,002

Natural gas 12 6 Q Q Q 725 295 Q Q Q

District chilled water 54 7 2 35 9 4,476 782 563 2,440 692

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,658 324 525 1,242 567 42,777 6,549 7,933 19,434 8,860

Natural gas 1,758 291 493 527 447 39,581 7,535 10,623 12,292 9,131

Fuel oil 77 69 Q Q Q 1,918 1,397 Q Q Q

District heat 25 9 5 7 4 4,424 1,619 768 1,516 520

Propane 142 37 31 42 32 1,580 390 392 534 264

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,010 120 260 439 191 25,099 4,656 6,153 9,773 4,518

Natural gas 740 123 163 286 168 24,669 5,362 5,623 8,531 5,153

Propane 144 48 28 53 Q 2,006 779 328 664 235
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 49

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 4,722 727 1,096 1,842 1,057 80,073 15,065 18,051 30,504 16,452

Buildings with cooling 4,461 592 970 1,891 1,007 79,271 13,962 17,139 31,714 16,455

Buildings with water heating 4,423 671 1,014 1,740 997 78,998 14,650 17,588 30,240 16,520

Buildings with cooking 1,589 249 370 664 306 38,437 8,159 8,708 14,339 7,230

Buildings with manufacturing 259 44 55 83 77 5,059 1,060 1,152 1,705 1,141

Buildings with electricity

generation 410 107 84 141 78 25,600 6,231 5,333 9,384 4,653

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 835 79 141 405 210 7,004 483 865 3,758 1,898

1 to 50 697 86 103 297 211 10,152 1,134 1,311 3,988 3,718

51 to 99 727 137 137 267 185 14,673 2,864 2,249 6,229 3,331

100 3,298 503 856 1,278 661 55,248 11,067 14,491 20,286 9,404

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 1,096 213 267 355 260 7,806 1,585 1,777 2,548 1,895

1 to 50 1,173 196 281 422 273 18,955 3,577 4,765 6,206 4,407

51 to 99 897 156 177 330 234 22,756 5,085 4,679 8,481 4,510

100 2,391 240 512 1,139 500 37,560 5,300 7,695 17,027 7,538

Percent lit when open

Zero 70 Q Q Q Q 322 Q Q Q Q

1 to 50 1,099 170 292 379 258 12,650 2,100 2,873 4,766 2,911

51 to 99 1,666 259 382 614 411 34,858 6,311 7,931 13,275 7,341

100 2,222 308 427 1,011 476 35,642 6,657 7,260 14,387 7,338

Building never open/electricity

not used 501 60 121 216 103 3,605 437 774 1,711 683

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 2,489 366 528 945 650 24,759 3,876 5,598 9,119 6,166

1 to 50 2,441 360 592 990 499 50,840 9,346 11,467 20,202 9,826

51 to 100 202 40 25 97 40 6,798 1,758 942 2,543 1,555

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 102 5 25 54 18 2,453 324 550 1,144 435

Electricity not used 323 36 66 161 61 2,226 243 360 1,255 368

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 628 48 53 392 134 11,809 1,393 1,037 6,894 2,485

Furnaces 755 85 252 282 137 8,683 1,266 2,515 3,366 1,536

Individual space heaters 1,247 239 340 381 287 20,733 4,883 5,713 6,535 3,603

District heat 48 16 7 18 7 5,776 1,954 907 2,114 801

Boilers 544 221 148 98 77 22,448 6,461 6,648 5,798 3,541

Packaged heating units 2,802 347 644 1,127 683 49,305 7,220 10,894 20,129 11,062

Other 62 Q 22 16 14 1,573 Q 370 549 339
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 50

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 1,546 178 480 633 255 14,767 1,699 4,349 5,893 2,827

Heat pumps 692 53 65 409 165 12,520 1,490 1,010 7,073 2,948

Individual air conditioners 709 190 147 257 114 12,364 3,846 2,566 4,225 1,727

District chilled water 54 7 2 35 9 4,476 782 563 2,440 692

Central chillers 163 26 37 70 29 17,009 3,486 4,462 6,430 2,632

Packaged air conditioning units 1,909 253 362 786 508 45,246 8,691 9,824 17,237 9,494

Swamp coolers 109 Q Q Q 89 1,923 Q Q 473 1,344

Other Q Q Q Q Q 331 Q Q Q Q

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 1,874 315 448 744 367 27,603 5,360 6,868 10,065 5,310

Cooling 1,971 313 452 836 370 30,713 6,330 7,189 11,666 5,528

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 3,348 493 806 1,322 728 47,525 9,151 11,346 17,465 9,563

Distributed system 690 123 133 264 170 12,743 2,389 2,342 4,954 3,058

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 385 56 76 154 99 18,731 3,110 3,900 7,822 3,899

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 1,826 293 460 721 353 38,345 7,600 9,023 14,528 7,196

Standard fluorescent 4,649 684 1,018 1,890 1,057 80,058 14,486 17,510 31,347 16,717

Compact fluorescent 2,302 354 542 840 566 53,779 10,781 11,817 20,033 11,148

High-intensity discharge (HID) 525 76 110 219 121 23,365 4,480 5,380 9,346 4,158

Halogen 905 148 203 377 177 27,965 5,255 6,153 10,935 5,621

LED 473 83 114 164 113 21,987 4,786 5,126 7,502 4,572

Other 10 Q Q Q Q 426 Q Q Q Q

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 3,984 593 898 1,630 864 73,624 13,625 16,566 28,733 14,699

Walk-in units 811 139 175 332 166 28,262 5,856 6,313 10,732 5,361

Cases or cabinets 915 165 203 357 190 28,676 6,055 6,804 10,364 5,452

Large cold storage areas 78 12 14 33 19 4,125 565 975 1,672 913

Commercial ice makers 846 101 167 412 166 32,680 5,561 6,582 14,497 6,039

Residential-type or compact units 3,388 511 795 1,342 740 62,453 11,489 14,256 24,169 12,538

Vending machines 960 135 194 436 195 43,922 8,459 9,668 17,625 8,170

No refrigeration 1,573 213 340 617 404 13,453 1,922 2,350 5,529 3,651
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 51

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 3,977 593 876 1,550 957 77,040 14,129 16,857 29,664 16,390

With flat screen monitors 3,847 569 841 1,507 931 76,138 13,969 16,624 29,326 16,219

With multiple monitors 911 120 183 358 250 30,926 5,319 6,400 12,063 7,144

Laptop computers 2,730 412 598 1,074 646 63,468 11,787 13,893 24,902 12,886

Dedicated servers 1,748 254 358 693 442 53,335 10,098 11,263 20,540 11,435

Laser printers 2,339 355 524 857 603 54,218 10,321 12,152 20,440 11,304

Inkjet printers 2,187 311 468 916 493 36,264 6,593 7,679 14,292 7,701

FAX machines 3,185 486 684 1,258 756 66,667 12,738 14,433 25,797 13,699

Photocopiers 2,163 355 474 808 526 59,246 11,668 13,043 22,073 12,461

Number of desktop computers

None 1,581 212 361 697 310 10,036 1,418 2,059 4,598 1,961

1 to 4 2,039 320 484 780 454 15,671 2,458 3,584 6,273 3,356

5 to 9 821 91 186 334 210 9,425 1,392 2,122 3,529 2,382

10 to 19 482 86 81 188 127 9,393 1,646 1,826 3,532 2,389

20 to 49 355 48 62 140 105 13,113 2,341 2,598 5,344 2,831

50 to 99 143 20 33 58 33 8,318 1,363 1,984 3,266 1,705

100 to 249 92 20 20 31 21 9,705 2,268 2,235 3,421 1,781

250 or more 44 8 10 18 8 11,414 2,662 2,509 4,299 1,945

Number of laptop computers

None 2,827 394 639 1,173 621 23,608 3,761 5,023 9,360 5,464

1 to 4 1,944 283 451 755 455 21,193 3,373 5,043 8,088 4,689

5 to 9 350 53 62 142 92 8,378 1,417 1,478 3,570 1,912

10 to 19 181 33 29 71 49 8,343 1,498 1,468 3,394 1,983

20 to 49 144 20 28 63 33 9,586 1,471 2,202 3,804 2,110

50 to 99 58 9 15 22 12 5,244 1,165 1,332 1,860 886

100 to 249 35 9 9 13 3 5,244 1,426 1,023 2,111 683

250 or more 20 4 5 9 2 5,481 1,436 1,347 2,075 623

Number of dedicated servers

None 3,809 551 879 1,554 825 33,741 5,450 7,653 13,722 6,916

1 to 4 1,562 227 325 618 392 34,065 6,164 7,209 13,483 7,209

5 to 9 97 14 20 37 26 6,294 1,084 1,444 2,250 1,516

10 to 19 50 7 6 25 12 5,659 1,120 994 2,339 1,206

20 to 49 25 3 5 9 8 3,781 721 999 1,290 771

50 or more 13 3 2 4 4 3,536 1,009 616 1,177 734

Number of photocopiers

None 3,394 451 763 1,438 742 27,830 3,879 5,873 12,189 5,889

One 1,325 216 299 485 325 17,086 2,606 3,945 6,130 4,405

2 to 4 648 104 139 246 158 20,337 3,594 4,579 8,078 4,086

5 to 9 116 18 23 47 27 8,920 1,939 2,188 3,221 1,572

10 or more 75 16 13 30 15 12,903 3,529 2,331 4,644 2,399
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 52

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Number of TVs or video displays

None 2,718 394 614 1,076 633 24,355 4,060 5,094 9,486 5,714

One 1,145 164 273 471 237 10,001 1,416 2,300 4,279 2,006

2 to 4 1,035 154 212 419 250 16,481 2,944 4,054 6,315 3,167

5 to 9 314 51 72 126 66 8,150 1,824 1,451 3,161 1,714

10 to 19 154 20 31 69 34 8,133 1,765 1,895 3,053 1,420

20 to 49 106 13 19 46 28 8,132 1,460 1,674 3,196 1,802

50 to 99 48 3 10 22 13 4,439 393 932 2,075 1,040

100 or more 37 7 7 17 7 7,386 1,685 1,515 2,698 1,488

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 153 18 34 66 35 9,752 1,898 2,273 3,708 1,873

Fast food or small restaurant 173 29 31 77 37 9,670 1,760 1,761 3,729 2,421

Cafeteria or large restaurant 130 29 28 55 18 15,152 3,604 3,415 5,908 2,224

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 282 45 72 109 56 15,962 3,224 3,938 6,008 2,792

Small kitchen area 736 114 183 306 132 13,975 3,135 3,424 5,040 2,376

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 97 14 25 31 27 10,986 2,403 2,439 3,833 2,311

Computer-based training room 244 34 47 112 51 17,592 3,318 3,938 7,057 3,279

Student or public computer center 238 40 46 91 61 14,253 2,710 3,345 5,953 2,245

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 601 107 141 147 206 30,631 6,918 7,879 8,999 6,835

Regular HVAC maintenance 3,178 480 674 1,279 744 69,221 12,994 15,169 26,552 14,506

Building automation system (BAS)1 781 117 160 291 212 36,979 6,936 7,982 14,544 7,517

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 3,012 483 842 1,072 614 60,294 11,448 15,253 22,606 10,987

Tinted window glass 1,875 155 373 820 527 44,952 6,290 9,040 19,010 10,611

Reflective window glass 549 61 114 205 169 15,810 2,296 3,809 5,461 4,244

External overhangs or awnings 1,867 204 393 820 450 32,065 4,293 6,478 13,809 7,485

Skylights or atriums 591 80 94 210 207 22,203 4,083 4,082 8,048 5,990

Light scheduling 918 131 204 359 224 30,258 5,883 6,627 10,720 7,028

Occupancy sensors 813 137 155 256 266 35,775 7,734 7,906 11,881 8,254

Multi-level lighting or dimming 349 53 69 134 93 14,419 2,346 3,162 5,374 3,537

Daylight harvesting 125 19 29 53 24 6,090 1,032 1,486 1,993 1,580

Demand responsive lighting 176 Q 35 63 Q 4,762 648 913 1,699 1,502

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 208 32 36 83 57 12,017 2,154 2,428 4,458 2,977
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 53

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5,557 805 1,237 2,247 1,267 87,076 15,547 18,916 34,262 18,351

Number of buildings (thousand) Total floorspace (million square feet)

Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 3,699 582 842 1,398 877 63,183 12,285 14,130 23,294 13,475

Cooling 3,517 473 764 1,438 841 62,590 11,460 13,461 24,454 13,215

Lighting 4,757 707 1,055 1,898 1,096 78,558 14,262 17,259 30,530 16,508

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS) .

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definition of terms used 

in these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from 

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Form EIA-871A of the 2012 Commercial Buildings 

Energy Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 54

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 2,777 8,042 723 1,357 445 256 21 Q

5,001 to 10,000 1,229 8,902 646 1,178 386 248 10 Q

10,001 to 25,000 884 14,108 876 1,655 543 304 20 Q

25,001 to 50,000 332 11,915 822 1,549 508 283 14 17

50,001 to 100,000 199 13,914 1,066 1,994 654 337 23 51

100,001 to 200,000 90 12,425 1,034 1,974 647 290 20 77

200,001 to 500,000 38 10,718 1,026 1,875 615 310 14 88

Over 500,000 8 7,053 767 1,348 442 219 12 94

Principal building activity

Education 389 12,239 842 1,396 458 291 28 64

Food sales 177 1,252 262 634 208 53 Q N

Food service 380 1,819 514 850 279 228 Q Q

Health care 157 4,133 718 1,114 365 265 20 68

Inpatient 10 2,352 549 767 251 219 16 62

Outpatient 147 1,780 169 348 114 46 Q Q

Lodging 158 5,722 564 928 304 220 8 31

Mercantile 602 11,391 1,007 2,149 704 292 9 Q

Retail (other than mall) 438 5,437 364 856 281 74 7 Q

Enclosed and strip malls 164 5,954 644 1,292 424 217 Q Q

Office 1,012 16,007 1,240 2,636 864 282 18 75

Public assembly 352 5,531 480 837 274 135 7 64

Public order and safety 84 1,434 133 223 73 41 2 Q

Religious worship 412 4,559 173 248 81 87 5 N

Service 619 4,587 272 389 128 122 16 Q

Warehouse and storage 796 13,130 428 866 284 139 5 Q

Other 125 2,015 285 580 190 81 10 Q

Vacant 296 3,257 42 80 26 13 Q Q

Year constructed

Before 1920 362 3,981 238 332 109 87 16 25

1920 to 1945 488 5,985 418 667 219 145 14 40

1946 to 1959 599 7,352 537 884 290 199 18 29

1960 to 1969 639 10,361 902 1,531 502 314 20 66

1970 to 1979 684 10,868 1,011 1,776 582 340 16 73

1980 to 1989 915 15,262 1,164 2,430 797 335 16 17

1990 to 1999 845 13,843 1,102 2,217 727 338 14 23

2000 to 2003 375 7,229 578 1,159 380 158 10 Q

2004 to 2007 347 6,484 528 1,008 331 172 3 23

2008 to 2012 303 5,712 483 925 303 159 6 Q

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 55

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Census region and division

Northeast 805 15,547 1,458 2,292 751 499 90 118

New England 302 4,305 367 525 172 111 47 Q

Middle Atlantic 504 11,242 1,091 1,767 579 388 42 81

Midwest 1,237 18,916 1,565 2,594 850 642 15 58

East North Central 735 12,751 1,130 1,814 595 493 10 32

West North Central 502 6,165 435 780 256 149 5 Q

South 2,247 34,262 2,565 5,517 1,809 615 23 118

South Atlantic 1,091 17,957 1,358 2,982 978 305 16 59

East South Central 370 4,896 369 736 241 103 3 Q

West South Central 786 11,409 838 1,800 590 206 4 Q

West 1,267 18,351 1,372 2,529 829 491 7 45

Mountain 338 4,900 418 698 229 163 Q 23

Pacific 929 13,451 955 1,831 600 328 5 22

Number of floors

One 3,836 39,851 2,831 5,675 1,861 918 42 Q

Two 1,158 20,244 1,459 2,697 884 510 32 Q

Three 374 8,160 667 1,137 373 224 23 47

Four to nine 177 13,514 1,432 2,402 788 443 28 173

Ten or more 13 5,307 571 1,020 335 151 8 77

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 405 32,039 3,181 5,610 1,840 970 56 315

Number of elevators

One 272 11,152 882 1,527 501 295 16 71

Two to five 118 12,845 1,241 2,314 759 353 26 103

Six or more 16 8,042 1,057 1,769 580 322 15 141

Any escalators 10 3,482 377 688 226 98 5 48

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 2,892 17,756 756 1,390 456 264 31 Q

5 to 9 1,085 8,976 598 1,164 382 202 9 Q

10 to 19 731 9,625 772 1,376 451 298 11 Q

20 to 49 513 14,519 1,188 2,287 750 379 17 43

50 to 99 206 13,507 1,148 2,225 729 360 21 Q

100 to 249 93 10,943 1,058 1,928 632 337 22 67

250 or more 37 11,750 1,441 2,562 840 408 22 171

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 1,149 8,226 228 364 119 97 10 Q

40 to 48 1,346 15,815 831 1,608 527 258 27 19

49 to 60 1,244 20,612 1,258 2,483 814 369 25 49

61 to 84 764 15,934 1,369 2,590 849 470 20 31

85 to 167 479 9,434 1,098 2,079 682 349 9 58

Open continuously 575 17,056 2,176 3,807 1,248 704 44 179
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 56

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 4,715 73,656 5,805 10,708 3,511 1,850 121 323

Business owner or tenant 724 11,346 983 1,892 620 343 10 Q

Property management 54 1,244 96 192 63 26 1 Q

Other 64 831 76 139 46 27 Q Q

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 4,876 76,240 5,980 11,043 3,621 1,913 123 324

Business owner or tenant 540 8,304 767 1,479 485 265 6 Q

Property management 35 889 61 123 40 17 2 Q

Other 106 1,643 153 286 94 52 3 Q

Number of establishments

One 4,205 54,992 4,482 8,086 2,651 1,525 98 208

2 to 5 862 17,701 1,401 2,588 849 429 25 98

6 to 10 147 4,380 363 733 240 107 5 11

11 to 20 68 3,710 355 712 234 113 1 Q

More than 20 27 3,899 346 792 260 67 4 15

Currently unoccupied 248 2,395 13 19 6 6 Q Q

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 2,312 40,527 3,456 6,205 2,035 1,160 59 203

Concrete (block or poured) 1,121 20,622 1,718 3,357 1,101 534 28 56

Concrete panels 210 8,701 664 1,253 411 208 7 38

Siding or shingles 905 5,761 400 743 244 134 21 Q

Metal panels 933 8,670 427 823 270 125 13 Q

Window glass 17 1,344 170 326 107 48 2 13

Other 37 857 80 143 47 Q Q Q

No one major type 21 595 45 81 26 14 Q Q

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 1,672 15,932 864 1,757 576 241 23 Q

Synthetic or rubber 911 25,774 2,440 4,390 1,439 850 40 112

Built-up 836 21,853 1,862 3,509 1,151 582 31 98

Slate or tile shingles 406 4,292 371 610 200 114 4 Q

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 157 1,140 93 144 47 41 Q Q

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 1,483 15,115 1,105 2,043 670 368 27 40

Concrete 51 1,650 133 312 102 24 3 Q

Other 24 681 58 111 36 18 Q Q

No one major type 18 640 35 55 18 10 Q Q
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 57

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 1,960 49,601 4,474 8,319 2,727 1,454 68 225

Shallow pitch 2,148 23,881 1,596 3,101 1,017 481 34 64

Steeper pitch 1,449 13,594 890 1,511 495 312 32 Q

Cool roof 740 19,570 1,836 3,380 1,108 602 33 93

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 2,094 42,144 3,760 6,745 2,211 1,229 80 239

Addition or annex 444 12,932 1,291 2,128 698 467 34 91

Reduction in floorspace 71 1,718 225 371 122 69 Q Q

Roof replacement 987 20,865 1,985 3,428 1,124 680 55 126

Exterior wall replacement 194 4,212 398 730 239 129 11 18

Interior wall reconfiguration 889 21,318 2,055 3,709 1,216 644 39 157

Window replacement 560 12,124 1,089 1,831 600 386 35 68

HVAC equipment upgrade 1,101 26,660 2,543 4,505 1,477 841 48 177

Lighting upgrade 982 25,403 2,438 4,261 1,397 809 52 179

Electrical upgrade 747 16,019 1,607 2,752 902 550 38 116

Plumbing system upgrade 644 13,723 1,396 2,311 758 514 33 90

Insulation upgrade 382 7,500 771 1,308 429 268 13 60

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 616 17,126 1,684 2,936 963 568 39 115

Structural upgrade 152 3,821 423 716 235 151 9 29

Other 39 872 69 135 44 14 Q Q

No renovations 3,160 39,220 2,717 5,261 1,725 859 47 86

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 303 5,712 483 925 303 159 6 Q

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5,234 84,850 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Natural gas 2,933 58,729 5,541 9,397 3,081 2,247 41 173

Fuel oil 467 20,130 2,231 3,973 1,302 623 134 171

District heat 48 5,817 807 1,077 353 108 6 340

District chilled water 54 4,476 664 891 292 133 4 235

Propane 510 7,709 583 1,148 377 146 43 Q

Other 172 3,825 301 518 170 108 8 15

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,858 49,039 3,896 8,053 2,640 1,122 43 90

Natural gas 2,612 49,611 4,445 7,423 2,434 1,970 24 17

Fuel oil 270 4,360 360 541 177 78 104 Q

District heat 48 5,776 803 1,069 350 107 6 339

Propane 342 3,066 151 358 117 21 13 Q

Other 101 1,008 48 92 30 12 2 Q
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 58

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 1,819 26,283 1,844 4,570 1,498 335 10 Q

Natural gas 2,322 43,054 3,870 6,358 2,085 1,768 16 Q

Fuel oil 205 2,545 187 247 81 8 98 Q

District heat 47 5,644 793 1,053 345 105 5 337

Propane 261 1,948 63 186 61 Q Q N

Other 67 598 21 48 16 Q Q N

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 4,413 76,080 6,319 12,057 3,953 2,079 110 177

Natural gas 12 725 98 115 38 58 1 Q

District chilled water 54 4,476 664 891 292 133 4 235

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,658 42,777 3,100 6,752 2,214 742 57 87

Natural gas 1,758 39,581 4,027 6,663 2,185 1,770 24 48

Fuel oil 77 1,918 174 234 77 37 60 Q

District heat 25 4,424 652 859 282 87 4 278

Propane 142 1,580 87 241 79 Q 5 Q

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,010 25,099 2,511 4,719 1,547 810 43 111

Natural gas 740 24,669 3,014 5,032 1,650 1,237 24 102

Propane 144 2,006 167 365 120 19 27 Q

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 4,722 80,073 6,779 12,461 4,086 2,222 132 340

Buildings with cooling 4,461 79,271 6,771 12,646 4,146 2,177 112 336

Buildings with water heating 4,423 78,998 6,795 12,584 4,126 2,208 125 335

Buildings with cooking 1,589 38,437 4,078 7,288 2,390 1,442 76 171

Buildings with manufacturing 259 5,059 360 695 228 123 6 Q

Buildings with electricity

generation 410 25,600 2,802 5,102 1,673 854 68 207

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 835 7,004 181 470 154 25 2 Q

1 to 50 697 10,152 467 1,018 334 123 10 Q

51 to 99 727 14,673 1,298 2,433 798 443 18 39

100 3,298 55,248 5,014 9,010 2,954 1,656 104 300

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 1,096 7,806 189 285 94 70 22 Q

1 to 50 1,173 18,955 988 1,591 522 417 34 15

51 to 99 897 22,756 2,143 3,966 1,300 667 37 137

100 2,391 37,560 3,641 7,088 2,324 1,092 41 184
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 59

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Percent lit when open

Zero 70 322 4 11 3 Q Q Q

1 to 50 1,099 12,650 642 1,184 388 214 16 23

51 to 99 1,666 34,858 3,047 5,465 1,792 1,032 56 166

100 2,222 35,642 3,243 6,238 2,045 989 59 150

Building never open/electricity

not used 501 3,605 24 33 11 10 Q Q

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 2,489 24,759 1,293 2,412 791 438 42 23

1 to 50 2,441 50,840 4,345 8,158 2,675 1,394 72 203

51 to 100 202 6,798 1,016 1,713 562 341 15 99

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 102 2,453 306 648 212 73 Q 15

Electricity not used 323 2,226 N N N N N N

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 628 11,809 899 1,869 613 247 12 27

Furnaces 755 8,683 616 1,108 363 244 7 Q

Individual space heaters 1,247 20,733 1,571 2,826 927 544 38 63

District heat 48 5,776 803 1,069 350 107 6 339

Boilers 544 22,448 2,262 3,640 1,194 984 80 Q

Packaged heating units 2,802 49,305 4,081 8,024 2,631 1,360 46 45

Other 62 1,573 191 399 131 54 Q Q

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 1,546 14,767 1,086 1,941 637 416 15 Q

Heat pumps 692 12,520 939 1,965 644 257 12 26

Individual air conditioners 709 12,364 1,013 1,665 546 374 37 56

District chilled water 54 4,476 664 891 292 133 4 235

Central chillers 163 17,009 1,852 3,416 1,120 598 41 92

Packaged air conditioning units 1,909 45,246 3,970 7,558 2,478 1,317 62 112

Swamp coolers 109 1,923 175 299 98 71 1 Q

Other Q 331 45 98 32 10 Q Q

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 1,874 27,603 2,164 4,036 1,323 790 51 Q

Cooling 1,971 30,713 2,520 4,632 1,519 881 57 63

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 3,348 47,525 4,208 7,578 2,485 1,413 85 226

Distributed system 690 12,743 832 1,642 538 257 13 23

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 385 18,731 1,754 3,364 1,103 538 27 86
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 60

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 1,826 38,345 3,539 6,366 2,087 1,198 71 183

Standard fluorescent 4,649 80,058 6,710 12,458 4,085 2,164 127 335

Compact fluorescent 2,302 53,779 5,093 9,254 3,034 1,671 89 299

High-intensity discharge (HID) 525 23,365 2,185 3,975 1,303 705 50 128

Halogen 905 27,965 2,694 4,976 1,632 884 42 136

LED 473 21,987 2,362 4,315 1,415 762 29 156

Other 10 426 58 99 32 15 Q Q

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 3,984 73,624 6,468 11,962 3,922 2,104 118 324

Walk-in units 811 28,262 3,525 6,309 2,069 1,249 53 154

Cases or cabinets 915 28,676 3,315 6,060 1,987 1,117 48 163

Large cold storage areas 78 4,125 530 1,018 334 176 6 15

Commercial ice makers 846 32,680 3,730 6,796 2,228 1,239 51 213

Residential-type or compact units 3,388 62,453 5,180 9,480 3,108 1,687 106 279

Vending machines 960 43,922 4,176 7,722 2,532 1,294 71 280

No refrigeration 1,573 13,453 492 969 318 143 16 15

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 3,977 77,040 6,583 12,250 4,016 2,111 121 336

With flat screen monitors 3,847 76,138 6,520 12,127 3,976 2,089 119 336

With multiple monitors 911 30,926 2,941 5,445 1,785 887 49 220

Laptop computers 2,730 63,468 5,464 10,071 3,302 1,754 100 308

Dedicated servers 1,748 53,335 4,782 9,040 2,964 1,485 92 242

Laser printers 2,339 54,218 4,792 8,906 2,920 1,508 86 277

Inkjet printers 2,187 36,264 2,903 5,448 1,786 955 59 103

FAX machines 3,185 66,667 5,703 10,710 3,511 1,821 104 267

Photocopiers 2,163 59,246 5,107 9,449 3,098 1,596 101 312

Number of desktop computers

None 1,581 10,036 377 681 223 136 13 Q

1 to 4 2,039 15,671 1,184 2,134 700 453 27 Q

5 to 9 821 9,425 738 1,391 456 266 11 Q

10 to 19 482 9,393 675 1,343 440 212 12 Q

20 to 49 355 13,113 1,120 2,184 716 346 16 42

50 to 99 143 8,318 646 1,244 408 204 13 21

100 to 249 92 9,705 960 1,663 545 274 16 125

250 or more 44 11,414 1,261 2,291 751 356 26 128
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 61

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Number of laptop computers

None 2,827 23,608 1,497 2,860 938 493 34 32

1 to 4 1,944 21,193 1,515 2,835 929 539 29 18

5 to 9 350 8,378 698 1,315 431 227 14 Q

10 to 19 181 8,343 719 1,358 445 242 8 24

20 to 49 144 9,586 906 1,603 526 287 16 78

50 to 99 58 5,244 506 889 291 161 14 40

100 to 249 35 5,244 525 938 308 141 12 64

250 or more 20 5,481 595 1,134 372 156 8 59

Number of dedicated servers

None 3,809 33,741 2,178 3,891 1,276 762 42 98

1 to 4 1,562 34,065 2,717 5,169 1,695 896 59 68

5 to 9 97 6,294 565 1,048 344 191 5 26

10 to 19 50 5,659 593 1,137 373 152 13 55

20 to 49 25 3,781 396 730 239 122 7 28

50 or more 13 3,536 512 956 314 125 9 65

Number of photocopiers

None 3,394 27,830 1,853 3,483 1,142 650 33 28

One 1,325 17,086 1,201 2,232 732 420 29 Q

2 to 4 648 20,337 1,596 3,043 998 515 30 52

5 to 9 116 8,920 783 1,501 492 238 10 43

10 or more 75 12,903 1,527 2,672 876 423 32 196

Number of TVs or video displays

None 2,718 24,355 1,213 2,326 763 395 36 20

One 1,145 10,001 697 1,255 412 254 20 Q

2 to 4 1,035 16,481 1,310 2,455 805 464 19 22

5 to 9 314 8,150 777 1,564 513 223 10 Q

10 to 19 154 8,133 809 1,527 500 234 11 64

20 to 49 106 8,132 716 1,450 476 193 14 35

50 to 99 48 4,439 431 804 264 104 10 54

100 or more 37 7,386 1,006 1,550 508 380 16 102

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 153 9,752 1,112 1,985 651 364 16 81

Fast food or small restaurant 173 9,670 1,206 2,333 765 372 8 61

Cafeteria or large restaurant 130 15,152 1,623 2,715 890 586 42 105

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 282 15,962 1,797 3,037 996 672 33 96

Small kitchen area 736 13,975 1,187 2,111 692 409 31 55
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 62

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5,557 87,076 6,960 12,931 4,240 2,247 134 340

Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

All buildings Total energy consumption (trillion Btu)

Electricity Total

floorspace

(million 

square feet)

Number of 

buildings 

(thousand)

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 97 10,986 1,355 2,481 813 386 27 128

Computer-based training room 244 17,592 1,696 3,119 1,023 515 36 122

Student or public computer center 238 14,253 1,275 2,114 693 435 24 123

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 601 30,631 3,140 5,606 1,838 1,014 43 245

Regular HVAC maintenance 3,178 69,221 6,201 11,533 3,781 1,990 111 318

Building automation system (BAS)1 781 36,979 3,708 6,967 2,284 1,100 58 265

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 3,012 60,294 5,248 9,680 3,174 1,751 95 228

Tinted window glass 1,875 44,952 3,971 7,477 2,451 1,289 48 183

Reflective window glass 549 15,810 1,652 3,125 1,025 541 21 66

External overhangs or awnings 1,867 32,065 3,087 5,715 1,874 1,030 41 143

Skylights or atriums 591 22,203 2,009 3,451 1,132 679 39 159

Light scheduling 918 30,258 2,930 5,631 1,846 927 37 119

Occupancy sensors 813 35,775 3,432 6,328 2,075 1,066 59 231

Multi-level lighting or dimming 349 14,419 1,618 2,833 929 573 16 100

Daylight harvesting 125 6,090 619 1,133 372 197 7 44

Demand responsive lighting 176 4,762 410 829 272 127 Q Q

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 208 12,017 1,200 2,486 815 335 10 40

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 3,699 63,183 5,018 9,286 3,044 1,674 93 207

Cooling 3,517 62,590 5,005 9,383 3,076 1,643 78 208

Lighting 4,757 78,558 6,423 11,831 3,879 2,104 123 317

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS).

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See the Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definitions of terms 

used in these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from 

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/ ● Site electricity is the amount of electricity delivered to commercial buildings. Primary electricity, which 

is not included in the Sum of major fuels category, is site electricity plus the conversion losses in the generation, transmission, and distribution processes. ● 

Statistics for the Energy end uses category represent total consumption in buildings that have the end use, not consumption specifically for that particular end use. 

● HVAC = Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Forma EIA-871A, C, D, E, and F of the 2012 Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 63

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 260 89.9 70.6 17.3 46.5 100.8 5.9 2.0 22.6

5,001 to 10,000 525 72.6 70.0 18.3 40.5 74.1 11.6 1.6 22.0

10,001 to 25,000 992 62.1 61.8 18.7 44.2 80.7 22.5 1.4 22.7

25,001 to 50,000 2,477 69.0 72.6 24.5 48.6 89.3 52.1 1.5 21.1

50,001 to 100,000 5,353 76.6 86.4 33.7 58.1 94.3 113.0 1.6 21.1

100,001 to 200,000 11,487 83.2 91.4 38.9 65.8 101.9 243.2 1.8 21.2

200,001 to 500,000 27,198 95.7 99.1 47.6 76.6 114.5 553.3 2.0 20.3

Over 500,000 95,902 108.7 83.3 43.4 70.1 129.3 1,994.8 2.3 20.8

Principal building activity

Education 2,165 68.8 77.3 31.2 50.9 81.5 43.2 1.4 20.0

Food sales 1,484 209.5 223.6 127.5 219.0 314.1 35.0 4.9 23.6

Food service 1,355 282.8 150.0 95.8 243.6 448.1 26.2 5.5 19.3

Health care 4,579 173.6 94.5 43.0 62.3 90.4 83.3 3.2 18.2

Inpatient 57,296 233.3 128.8 161.1 205.5 273.7 977.6 4.0 17.1

Outpatient 1,147 94.8 50.6 33.8 61.1 83.0 25.1 2.1 21.9

Lodging 3,573 98.6 184.0 48.8 70.1 118.7 69.7 1.9 19.5

Mercantile 1,673 88.4 110.5 32.9 62.9 108.6 37.7 2.0 22.6

Retail (other than mall) 830 66.9 90.4 25.9 51.5 86.9 20.5 1.7 24.7

Enclosed and strip malls 3,925 108.1 126.4 58.6 103.0 176.5 83.7 2.3 21.3

Office 1,225 77.5 36.7 32.8 52.6 81.3 30.4 1.9 24.8

Public assembly 1,362 86.7 154.6 21.9 49.2 82.9 29.0 1.9 21.3

Public order and safety 1,584 92.6 71.6 33.3 63.5 104.9 33.1 1.9 20.9

Religious worship 421 38.0 89.3 12.6 24.6 50.2 8.1 0.7 19.3

Service 439 59.2 67.4 18.3 41.9 82.5 9.1 1.2 20.7

Warehouse and storage 539 32.6 67.4 2.5 13.7 35.9 12.2 0.7 22.6

Other 2,288 141.7 177.1 16.4 44.1 130.0 47.8 3.0 20.9

Vacant 140 12.8 176.2 0.0 0.0 6.2 3.3 0.3 23.5

Year constructed

Before 1920 658 59.8 71.9 16.2 39.5 82.6 14.3 1.3 21.8

1920 to 1945 856 69.8 69.5 16.8 46.4 82.9 19.8 1.6 23.2

1946 to 1959 896 73.0 81.7 19.6 43.4 84.7 18.4 1.5 20.5

1960 to 1969 1,411 87.0 91.4 28.3 54.0 107.5 28.8 1.8 20.4

1970 to 1979 1,478 93.0 80.7 19.2 53.5 103.0 30.1 1.9 20.4

1980 to 1989 1,272 76.3 66.6 17.2 44.3 82.0 28.6 1.7 22.5

1990 to 1999 1,304 79.6 82.1 16.8 45.1 86.5 28.1 1.7 21.6

2000 to 2003 1,541 80.0 77.2 22.9 48.1 99.7 33.6 1.7 21.8

2004 to 2007 1,522 81.4 88.0 18.7 47.8 82.2 32.6 1.8 21.4

2008 to 2012 1,596 84.6 87.4 16.5 35.9 80.4 34.1 1.8 21.3

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 64

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Census region and division

Northeast 1,810 93.8 82.1 24.7 54.6 103.9 43.3 2.2 23.9

New England 1,218 85.3 88.3 18.4 43.4 91.7 30.8 2.2 25.3

Middle Atlantic 2,165 97.0 80.3 31.0 61.9 120.5 50.8 2.3 23.5

Midwest 1,264 82.7 90.5 23.5 50.6 93.9 22.1 1.5 17.5

East North Central 1,537 88.6 94.5 31.5 61.6 108.7 26.8 1.5 17.4

West North Central 866 70.5 81.4 12.1 34.7 70.0 15.3 1.2 17.6

South 1,142 74.9 78.4 17.0 43.7 84.6 24.4 1.6 21.4

South Atlantic 1,244 75.6 74.9 18.3 43.6 95.3 28.7 1.7 23.0

East South Central 998 75.3 85.9 21.2 50.5 82.0 20.2 1.5 20.3

West South Central 1,067 73.5 81.6 12.8 38.3 80.5 20.4 1.4 19.1

West 1,083 74.8 67.1 17.3 41.7 79.3 25.2 1.7 23.3

Mountain 1,234 85.2 91.1 20.7 56.6 91.7 22.8 1.6 18.5

Pacific 1,028 71.0 60.2 16.5 36.6 74.6 26.1 1.8 25.4

Number of floors

One 738 71.0 80.8 16.4 42.1 88.7 16.3 1.6 22.1

Two 1,261 72.1 73.9 23.5 49.8 84.7 26.8 1.5 21.3

Three 1,784 81.8 85.2 32.2 56.5 95.4 37.5 1.7 21.0

Four to nine 8,101 105.9 87.9 42.2 66.8 103.0 160.0 2.1 19.8

Ten or more 45,362 107.6 61.4 57.3 83.8 116.5 1,047.4 2.5 23.1

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 7,849 99.3 79.6 44.3 69.5 106.3 162.8 2.1 20.8

Number of elevators

One 3,248 79.1 77.8 40.5 65.9 99.6 65.7 1.6 20.2

Two to five 10,558 96.6 80.1 51.4 75.8 115.5 221.7 2.0 21.0

Six or more 65,796 131.5 80.4 67.1 96.9 167.2 1,375.2 2.8 20.9

Any escalators 38,907 108.2 78.3 66.8 67.3 116.1 838.0 2.3 21.5

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 261 42.6 149.2 8.4 32.1 71.2 5.8 1.0 22.3

5 to 9 551 66.6 85.2 26.5 48.9 93.2 12.6 1.5 22.8

10 to 19 1,056 80.2 81.5 35.7 63.2 118.0 22.4 1.7 21.2

20 to 49 2,316 81.8 79.8 37.7 63.1 115.0 49.6 1.8 21.4

50 to 99 5,584 85.0 85.5 47.2 69.7 112.0 116.5 1.8 20.9

100 to 249 11,327 96.7 79.1 57.8 88.0 127.8 233.0 2.0 20.6

250 or more 38,819 122.6 57.7 61.5 86.9 152.9 835.7 2.6 21.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 65

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 199 27.8 69.4 2.4 16.7 42.9 4.2 0.6 21.0

40 to 48 617 52.6 47.3 22.5 42.8 69.3 14.2 1.2 23.1

49 to 60 1,011 61.0 50.6 25.1 47.6 82.4 23.2 1.4 23.0

61 to 84 1,792 85.9 82.1 36.0 72.0 144.9 39.3 1.9 22.0

85 to 167 2,293 116.3 135.7 58.8 125.0 265.4 47.8 2.4 20.8

Open continuously 3,782 127.6 122.8 18.6 63.5 139.1 75.1 2.5 19.9

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 1,231 78.8 78.0 18.1 44.4 84.2 26.1 1.7 21.2

Business owner or tenant 1,359 86.7 88.4 26.5 59.3 124.9 30.3 1.9 22.3

Property management 1,772 77.4 55.4 16.0 41.7 90.0 41.1 1.8 23.2

Other 1,174 91.0 86.9 33.3 69.5 108.3 26.7 2.1 22.7

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 1,226 78.4 77.9 18.2 44.4 84.6 26.1 1.7 21.3

Business owner or tenant 1,420 92.3 89.0 26.5 62.7 133.3 31.3 2.0 22.1

Property management 1,753 68.1 63.4 36.0 63.5 114.5 43.4 1.7 24.8

Other 1,436 92.9 83.8 33.3 67.4 105.0 31.5 2.0 22.0

Number of establishments

One 1,066 81.5 86.0 21.0 48.8 92.9 22.2 1.7 20.8

2 to 5 1,624 79.1 74.1 26.8 49.3 90.5 35.4 1.7 21.8

6 to 10 2,474 82.9 61.6 24.5 49.0 90.0 56.0 1.9 22.7

11 to 20 5,252 95.7 67.5 34.2 69.5 103.0 119.5 2.2 22.8

More than 20 12,775 88.8 57.7 0.0 49.9 85.1 312.7 2.2 24.5

Currently unoccupied 52 5.4 N 0.0 0.0 1.2 Q Q 20.8

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 1,495 85.3 83.0 24.6 55.3 103.1 31.2 1.8 20.9

Concrete (block or poured) 1,532 83.3 85.0 23.5 50.8 101.7 33.7 1.8 22.0

Concrete panels 3,162 76.3 70.0 15.8 36.7 82.9 66.6 1.6 21.1

Siding or shingles 442 69.5 66.6 16.7 43.2 78.7 10.4 1.6 23.5

Metal panels 458 49.3 73.6 5.8 25.5 58.7 9.9 1.1 21.6

Window glass 9,987 126.7 64.7 54.2 148.2 674.6 213.2 2.7 21.4

Other 2,135 92.8 94.2 17.7 45.4 95.3 48.9 2.1 22.9

No one major type 2,100 75.7 Q 25.0 66.4 95.2 44.9 1.6 21.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 66

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 517 54.2 71.9 8.8 31.5 67.6 11.6 1.2 22.4

Synthetic or rubber 2,680 94.7 88.5 30.3 64.7 118.5 54.9 1.9 20.5

Built-up 2,227 85.2 77.4 25.3 51.0 97.6 47.8 1.8 21.5

Slate or tile shingles 913 86.4 87.0 22.5 51.4 114.0 20.0 1.9 21.9

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 591 81.3 92.7 16.9 53.6 126.9 12.0 1.7 20.3

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 745 73.1 67.8 22.1 47.1 90.0 16.4 1.6 22.1

Concrete 2,599 80.3 63.5 29.4 58.8 114.3 64.2 2.0 24.7

Other 2,449 85.3 102.4 20.9 45.7 88.2 53.3 1.9 21.8

No one major type 1,961 55.3 106.1 14.9 42.5 69.5 43.6 1.2 22.2

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 2,282 90.2 78.3 25.7 57.3 115.5 48.3 1.9 21.1

Shallow pitch 743 66.8 81.7 14.6 38.2 79.9 16.4 1.5 22.1

Steeper pitch 615 65.5 77.3 19.5 43.5 77.1 13.2 1.4 21.5

Cool roof 2,480 93.8 84.8 25.3 57.8 114.0 52.1 2.0 21.0

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 1,795 89.2 81.0 27.8 55.9 100.4 37.8 1.9 21.1

Addition or annex 2,905 99.8 103.4 30.5 56.8 100.5 55.9 1.9 19.3

Reduction in floorspace 3,159 131.1 87.7 18.1 71.0 144.9 66.0 2.7 20.9

Roof replacement 2,012 95.1 86.9 29.1 54.6 95.8 41.3 2.0 20.6

Exterior wall replacement 2,050 94.6 87.9 21.6 49.8 92.9 41.9 1.9 20.4

Interior wall reconfiguration 2,311 96.4 74.2 29.9 56.5 98.4 48.7 2.0 21.1

Window replacement 1,945 89.9 77.1 28.3 56.1 98.9 40.4 1.9 20.8

HVAC equipment upgrade 2,311 95.4 84.3 30.9 56.7 103.2 48.4 2.0 21.0

Lighting upgrade 2,482 96.0 86.2 32.2 58.9 112.4 50.9 2.0 20.5

Electrical upgrade 2,151 100.3 90.5 28.4 54.7 106.7 44.3 2.1 20.6

Plumbing system upgrade 2,168 101.7 86.7 30.7 58.1 112.4 44.4 2.1 20.5

Insulation upgrade 2,017 102.7 92.1 27.7 56.1 98.7 40.0 2.0 19.8

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 2,736 98.4 83.9 31.6 58.7 110.2 56.9 2.1 20.8

Structural upgrade 2,795 110.8 112.6 31.3 52.6 93.4 54.6 2.2 19.5

Other 1,772 79.4 68.3 35.8 62.7 136.6 43.4 2.0 24.5

No renovations 860 69.3 75.0 15.0 39.3 80.7 18.9 1.5 21.9

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 1,596 84.6 87.4 16.5 35.9 80.4 34.1 1.8 21.3
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 67

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,330 82.0 79.0 23.1 50.1 94.1 28.5 1.8 21.4

Natural gas 1,889 94.4 88.9 37.5 65.8 121.8 37.4 1.9 19.8

Fuel oil 4,780 110.8 86.9 36.0 68.9 123.6 101.5 2.4 21.2

District heat 16,897 138.7 98.1 73.5 113.1 162.1 362.4 3.0 21.5

District chilled water 12,314 148.4 115.2 48.3 71.9 137.5 235.3 2.8 19.1

Propane 1,143 75.6 98.6 11.7 28.3 61.1 25.9 1.7 22.7

Other 1,749 78.7 79.5 20.5 38.0 72.6 37.5 1.7 21.4

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,363 79.4 72.3 25.2 50.1 94.0 30.2 1.8 22.2

Natural gas 1,702 89.6 85.9 36.6 64.0 112.6 32.9 1.7 19.3

Fuel oil 1,334 82.6 86.6 30.5 54.6 97.3 31.4 1.9 23.5

District heat 16,837 139.0 98.5 73.5 113.1 162.1 361.0 3.0 21.4

Propane 443 49.4 60.3 8.8 19.8 40.0 10.6 1.2 23.8

Other 481 48.0 64.7 16.2 31.8 52.7 11.5 1.2 23.9

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 1,014 70.2 63.7 21.8 44.6 83.0 24.7 1.7 24.4

Natural gas 1,667 89.9 86.7 37.0 63.8 112.6 32.0 1.7 19.2

Fuel oil 912 73.6 93.7 33.6 59.1 115.5 24.5 2.0 26.9

District heat 16,812 140.5 98.7 73.6 113.9 164.1 361.0 3.0 21.5

Propane 241 32.3 42.8 8.0 16.0 32.7 6.4 0.9 26.5

Other 310 34.8 40.7 8.0 22.2 44.5 8.7 1.0 28.1

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,432 83.1 76.8 28.2 55.1 101.2 30.9 1.8 21.6

Natural gas 8,195 134.6 93.7 51.0 66.4 73.0 136.8 2.3 16.7

District chilled water 12,314 148.4 115.2 48.3 71.9 137.5 235.3 2.8 19.1

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 1,166 72.5 66.2 24.3 47.8 87.2 27.3 1.7 23.4

Natural gas 2,291 101.7 96.1 43.2 73.3 148.0 44.1 2.0 19.2

Fuel oil 2,249 90.8 107.4 42.2 65.3 106.7 56.1 2.3 24.9

District heat 25,735 147.3 102.4 79.7 114.1 166.8 542.6 3.1 21.1

Propane 612 54.8 68.9 13.2 30.9 65.8 18.0 1.6 29.5

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,485 100.1 91.9 31.1 64.7 147.4 51.8 2.1 20.8

Natural gas 4,073 122.2 116.5 58.0 122.0 274.9 78.4 2.4 19.3

Propane 1,158 83.1 84.6 19.7 49.2 106.7 31.3 2.3 27.0
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 68

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 1,436 84.7 79.2 26.9 53.7 98.9 30.4 1.8 21.2

Buildings with cooling 1,518 85.4 78.9 28.3 55.3 101.3 32.4 1.8 21.4

Buildings with water heating 1,536 86.0 79.5 28.5 56.4 103.5 32.7 1.8 21.3

Buildings with cooking 2,567 106.1 98.9 35.8 75.8 172.4 52.5 2.2 20.5

Buildings with manufacturing 1,392 71.2 71.4 18.1 42.2 79.5 30.5 1.6 21.9

Buildings with electricity

generation 6,831 109.5 90.5 45.8 74.7 137.6 141.1 2.3 20.7

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 217 25.8 70.7 0.0 2.4 18.3 6.5 0.8 30.2

1 to 50 670 46.0 72.8 13.1 27.2 53.8 16.6 1.1 24.7

51 to 99 1,787 88.5 83.5 26.1 53.4 98.7 39.1 1.9 21.9

100 1,520 90.8 78.8 32.9 59.8 106.7 31.4 1.9 20.7

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 173 24.3 78.7 0.0 6.7 31.6 3.9 0.6 22.7

1 to 50 842 52.1 78.1 19.6 37.3 75.1 17.4 1.1 20.7

51 to 99 2,388 94.2 84.6 34.2 61.8 116.4 51.9 2.1 21.7

100 1,523 96.9 76.2 33.3 61.3 114.4 32.5 2.1 21.4

Percent lit when open

Zero 63 13.6 Q 2.0 8.2 12.8 1.9 0.4 31.0

1 to 50 584 50.7 95.6 16.9 35.3 68.2 12.6 1.1 21.6

51 to 99 1,829 87.4 83.7 30.5 56.8 103.1 38.2 1.8 20.9

100 1,460 91.0 72.2 28.3 57.8 114.1 31.9 2.0 21.8

Building never open/electricity

not used 48 6.6 Q 0.0 0.0 2.5 Q Q 20.2

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 520 52.2 55.8 16.3 34.4 69.3 12.2 1.2 23.5

1 to 50 1,780 85.5 79.6 34.0 61.5 114.4 37.7 1.8 21.2

51 to 100 5,036 149.5 130.8 52.4 101.9 209.5 98.7 2.9 19.6

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 2,995 124.8 118.7 12.9 108.8 245.4 65.7 2.7 21.9

Electricity not used 0 0.0 Q 0.0 0.0 0.0 N N N

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 1,431 76.1 67.5 25.5 44.4 77.4 32.4 1.7 22.7

Furnaces 815 70.9 71.9 30.7 53.5 91.8 16.7 1.5 20.5

Individual space heaters 1,259 75.8 81.0 23.2 45.4 82.2 26.5 1.6 21.0

District heat 16,837 139.0 98.5 73.5 113.1 162.1 361.0 3.0 21.4

Boilers 4,157 100.8 89.9 44.2 66.5 122.6 79.7 1.9 19.2

Packaged heating units 1,457 82.8 79.9 29.3 57.5 107.3 31.0 1.8 21.3

Other 3,099 121.7 159.1 28.4 71.2 165.3 63.5 2.5 20.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 69

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 703 73.6 71.9 26.9 52.7 94.9 15.0 1.6 21.3

Heat pumps 1,357 75.0 65.8 25.5 44.6 83.3 30.8 1.7 22.7

Individual air conditioners 1,429 81.9 82.0 23.3 48.9 87.8 30.4 1.7 21.3

District chilled water 12,314 148.4 115.2 48.3 71.9 137.5 235.3 2.8 19.1

Central chillers 11,370 108.9 84.2 55.2 80.3 133.8 233.6 2.2 20.6

Packaged air conditioning units 2,079 87.7 84.5 34.5 63.9 121.3 44.4 1.9 21.4

Swamp coolers 1,604 91.3 100.2 30.1 64.5 147.4 33.1 1.9 20.6

Other Q 135.8 94.9 17.0 55.3 100.2 Q 3.0 22.3

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 1,155 78.4 75.5 28.7 55.4 100.0 24.3 1.7 21.1

Cooling 1,278 82.0 75.5 30.6 57.7 101.0 27.5 1.8 21.5

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 1,257 88.5 83.8 29.2 57.6 105.0 26.3 1.9 20.9

Distributed system 1,206 65.3 58.5 23.1 45.3 81.3 28.0 1.5 23.3

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 4,560 93.7 83.4 38.1 66.1 122.2 96.5 2.0 21.2

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 1,938 92.3 85.0 28.7 57.3 103.7 39.9 1.9 20.6

Standard fluorescent 1,443 83.8 78.3 26.4 53.1 99.6 30.8 1.8 21.3

Compact fluorescent 2,212 94.7 85.0 31.1 59.8 114.0 46.3 2.0 20.9

High-intensity discharge (HID) 4,161 93.5 91.9 32.1 61.5 110.0 86.4 1.9 20.8

Halogen 2,978 96.3 88.4 33.6 61.8 110.9 62.3 2.0 20.9

LED 4,990 107.4 91.2 41.3 71.6 143.2 104.7 2.3 21.0

Other 5,908 137.0 103.4 84.1 160.7 163.3 130.2 3.0 22.0

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 1,624 87.9 81.9 28.8 56.6 105.6 34.4 1.9 21.2

Walk-in units 4,344 124.7 113.2 73.3 160.7 311.2 87.9 2.5 20.2

Cases or cabinets 3,621 115.6 105.1 56.5 112.3 243.1 75.2 2.4 20.8

Large cold storage areas 6,777 128.4 143.5 73.8 153.4 244.8 137.4 2.6 20.3

Commercial ice makers 4,410 114.1 102.1 57.1 112.4 245.9 89.6 2.3 20.3

Residential-type or compact units 1,529 82.9 76.5 27.0 51.4 88.2 32.3 1.8 21.1

Vending machines 4,352 95.1 84.0 40.3 67.5 118.0 90.7 2.0 20.8

No refrigeration 313 36.6 53.2 1.2 17.9 51.4 7.6 0.9 24.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 70

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 1,656 85.5 78.1 29.2 56.2 101.6 35.4 1.8 21.4

With flat screen monitors 1,695 85.6 77.7 29.7 56.4 102.0 36.2 1.8 21.4

With multiple monitors 3,229 95.1 67.8 34.5 59.1 105.0 68.6 2.0 21.3

Laptop computers 2,001 86.1 74.5 29.8 55.0 94.7 42.5 1.8 21.2

Dedicated servers 2,736 89.7 75.4 34.4 60.4 103.9 58.6 1.9 21.4

Laser printers 2,048 88.4 75.5 32.7 58.0 103.0 43.6 1.9 21.3

Inkjet printers 1,327 80.1 76.9 27.5 53.5 95.8 28.9 1.7 21.8

FAX machines 1,791 85.5 77.3 29.9 56.8 100.4 38.4 1.8 21.4

Photocopiers 2,361 86.2 74.5 31.5 55.0 88.2 50.4 1.8 21.3

Number of desktop computers

None 238 37.5 98.0 1.2 16.4 52.5 5.3 0.8 22.3

1 to 4 581 75.5 104.7 25.1 51.3 111.9 12.4 1.6 21.4

5 to 9 898 78.3 76.9 29.5 53.6 92.1 19.1 1.7 21.2

10 to 19 1,401 71.9 78.0 34.8 58.6 84.1 32.2 1.7 23.0

20 to 49 3,157 85.4 87.6 39.1 64.0 115.3 67.0 1.8 21.2

50 to 99 4,505 77.6 69.5 39.5 64.4 94.5 97.7 1.7 21.7

100 to 249 10,420 98.9 76.7 49.3 70.5 106.3 214.4 2.0 20.6

250 or more 28,384 110.5 62.4 51.0 73.6 120.7 599.9 2.3 21.1

Number of laptop computers

None 529 63.4 100.8 8.4 34.0 83.0 11.7 1.4 22.1

1 to 4 779 71.5 85.4 26.9 51.2 91.4 16.7 1.5 21.5

5 to 9 1,995 83.3 78.7 35.4 56.0 86.5 42.6 1.8 21.4

10 to 19 3,966 86.2 77.6 40.6 63.1 105.7 85.3 1.9 21.5

20 to 49 6,312 94.6 77.8 42.1 64.6 104.9 129.9 2.0 20.6

50 to 99 8,792 96.5 61.4 50.8 70.3 101.2 185.9 2.0 21.1

100 to 249 15,180 100.1 79.3 45.9 61.5 90.1 306.7 2.0 20.2

250 or more 30,155 108.6 54.3 55.3 76.9 126.8 666.0 2.4 22.1

Number of dedicated servers

None 572 64.5 88.0 13.4 36.8 80.7 12.2 1.4 21.4

1 to 4 1,739 79.7 79.2 33.9 59.4 100.9 37.5 1.7 21.6

5 to 9 5,824 89.8 72.1 40.0 62.7 110.9 120.7 1.9 20.7

10 to 19 11,788 104.7 78.3 47.0 75.9 118.5 260.4 2.3 22.1

20 to 49 15,539 104.8 59.0 50.9 88.0 173.7 316.4 2.1 20.4

50 or more 38,993 144.8 73.1 62.6 103.7 208.5 835.6 3.1 21.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 71

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Number of photocopiers

None 546 66.6 94.2 11.6 37.1 90.2 11.8 1.4 21.6

One 907 70.3 90.0 27.4 49.6 81.4 19.3 1.5 21.3

2 to 4 2,464 78.5 74.1 36.2 60.5 97.3 52.8 1.7 21.4

5 to 9 6,774 87.8 74.6 44.3 62.9 97.6 143.2 1.9 21.1

10 or more 20,483 118.3 66.0 60.4 79.7 113.9 436.9 2.5 21.3

Number of TVs or video displays

None 446 49.8 68.2 7.9 29.4 66.7 10.2 1.1 22.8

One 609 69.7 69.6 27.2 54.0 100.5 12.8 1.5 21.1

2 to 4 1,266 79.5 74.0 33.3 57.8 108.8 27.6 1.7 21.8

5 to 9 2,472 95.4 76.9 44.3 74.8 170.3 54.2 2.1 21.9

10 to 19 5,260 99.5 78.2 48.2 79.4 139.1 110.5 2.1 21.0

20 to 49 6,769 88.1 80.3 52.3 72.6 128.7 151.3 2.0 22.4

50 to 99 8,948 97.1 98.2 56.8 86.5 145.0 185.9 2.0 20.8

100 or more 26,870 136.2 112.9 62.4 93.1 143.3 508.3 2.6 18.9

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 7,261 114.0 108.0 50.6 87.2 220.8 148.0 2.3 20.4

Fast food or small restaurant 6,957 124.7 110.5 86.5 139.1 224.5 146.7 2.6 21.1

Cafeteria or large restaurant 12,484 107.1 92.0 46.6 71.2 110.0 246.8 2.1 19.8

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 6,366 112.6 117.0 36.0 69.6 130.8 124.3 2.2 19.5

Small kitchen area 1,613 84.9 87.1 22.1 45.6 85.6 33.5 1.8 20.8

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 14,041 123.3 75.0 51.0 86.9 130.0 294.4 2.6 21.0

Computer-based training room 6,954 96.4 76.3 42.1 67.9 111.9 143.8 2.0 20.7

Student or public computer center 5,346 89.5 101.9 39.5 59.8 86.8 103.4 1.7 19.3

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 5,224 102.5 88.7 38.7 66.7 123.6 108.0 2.1 20.7

Regular HVAC maintenance 1,951 89.6 79.6 33.0 60.3 110.2 41.4 1.9 21.2

Building automation system (BAS)1 4,749 100.3 87.5 37.4 65.7 112.0 100.3 2.1 21.1
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 72

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 1,252 79.9 78.9 18.9 46.0 89.4 26.8 1.7 21.4

Sum of major fuel consumption 

Distribution of 

building-level intensities

(thousand Btu/square foot)

Sum of major fuel expenditures

Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

per

building

(million

Btu)

per

square 

foot

(thousand

Btu)

per 

worker

(million

Btu)

per

building

(thousand

dollars)

per

square 

foot

(dollars)

per 

million

Btu 

(dollars)

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 1,742 87.0 84.3 27.4 54.6 99.6 36.2 1.8 20.8

Tinted window glass 2,117 88.3 78.1 27.3 55.9 105.7 44.5 1.9 21.0

Reflective window glass 3,012 104.5 87.1 30.0 58.2 115.3 62.6 2.2 20.8

External overhangs or awnings 1,653 96.3 91.4 30.0 60.5 120.2 34.5 2.0 20.9

Skylights or atriums 3,397 90.5 91.5 24.5 49.5 84.2 69.4 1.9 20.4

Light scheduling 3,193 96.8 83.7 35.5 63.5 122.6 69.0 2.1 21.6

Occupancy sensors 4,222 95.9 83.8 38.1 68.9 117.7 89.4 2.0 21.2

Multi-level lighting or dimming 4,636 112.2 100.3 43.4 81.5 160.7 94.3 2.3 20.4

Daylight harvesting 4,943 101.7 80.2 24.4 63.1 121.8 104.1 2.1 21.1

Demand responsive lighting 2,324 86.0 83.7 30.6 55.4 107.5 54.7 2.0 23.5

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 5,759 99.9 90.3 46.5 78.6 127.8 127.4 2.2 22.1

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 1,357 79.4 73.3 26.8 51.9 92.1 29.3 1.7 21.6

Cooling 1,423 80.0 73.3 27.4 52.9 94.3 30.9 1.7 21.7

Lighting 1,350 81.8 76.6 25.5 51.4 95.1 28.9 1.8 21.4

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS).

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See the Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definitions of terms 

used in these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from 

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/ ● Statistics for the Energy end uses category represent total consumption in buildings that have the end 

use, not consumption specifically for that particular end use. ● HVAC = Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Form EIA-871A, C, D, E, and F of the 2012 Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 73

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 15 25 66 25 996 1,714 3,165 1,617 15.0 14.6 20.8 15.3

5,001 to 10,000 14 22 48 30 1,184 1,816 3,296 2,195 11.6 11.8 14.4 13.8

10,001 to 25,000 24 31 68 36 2,329 2,851 4,968 3,422 10.5 10.8 13.6 10.6

25,001 to 50,000 18 33 69 29 1,628 2,998 4,328 2,716 11.2 11.1 15.8 10.6

50,001 to 100,000 37 40 88 28 2,675 2,689 5,877 2,361 13.8 14.7 14.9 11.7

100,001 to 200,000 44 34 73 38 2,522 2,402 5,123 2,324 17.6 14.2 14.3 16.4

200,001 to 500,000 37 40 70 33 2,230 2,678 3,654 2,084 16.8 14.8 19.1 16.0

Over 500,000 30 25 50 24 1,741 1,408 2,597 1,265 17.3 18.1 19.3 18.8

Principal building activity

Education 18 33 65 18 2,058 3,176 5,157 1,848 8.7 10.3 12.6 9.9

Food sales 14 9 22 16 316 174 399 363 44.9 50.2 56.4 42.8

Food service 12 16 38 16 292 369 771 387 39.6 43.0 49.7 41.1

Health care 23 22 43 19 1,064 850 1,426 793 22.0 25.5 29.8 24.5

Inpatient 14 14 31 15 536 484 878 454 26.3 29.6 34.9 32.1

Outpatient 9 7 12 5 528 366 548 339 17.6 20.2 21.7 14.3

Lodging 14 16 38 21 1,001 1,048 2,281 1,391 14.1 15.5 16.8 14.8

Mercantile 27 37 93 49 1,649 2,139 4,753 2,841 16.3 17.4 19.6 17.4

Retail (other than mall) 11 16 35 21 825 1,144 2,123 1,337 12.7 14.1 16.3 15.8

Enclosed and strip malls 16 21 58 28 824 996 2,630 1,504 19.8 21.2 22.2 18.9

Office 63 51 88 51 3,753 3,317 5,496 3,441 16.9 15.4 16.0 14.8

Public assembly 13 21 33 13 948 1,598 1,975 1,010 14.1 13.1 16.6 13.2

Public order and safety 5 3 11 Q 341 333 575 Q 15.4 10.3 18.4 Q

Religious worship 4 4 12 3 897 925 2,012 725 4.5 4.5 6.1 4.7

Service 5 11 15 6 768 1,448 1,557 695 7.0 7.3 9.8 8.9

Warehouse and storage 8 16 43 16 1,714 2,407 5,085 3,414 4.9 6.6 8.4 4.8

Other 12 9 26 9 278 434 834 439 42.4 20.1 31.5 20.2

Vacant Q 2 3 3 Q 337 686 451 Q 5.3 4.0 5.6

Year constructed

Before 1920 12 6 11 3 1,581 966 944 308 7.8 6.4 11.5 8.1

1920 to 1945 21 16 18 10 1,908 1,722 1,417 779 11.0 9.2 12.5 12.2

1946 to 1959 17 20 31 17 1,574 1,661 2,462 1,482 10.9 12.2 12.6 11.2

1960 to 1969 29 31 58 29 2,240 2,642 3,411 1,904 13.0 11.9 16.9 15.3

1970 to 1979 37 44 59 30 1,906 2,567 3,565 2,540 19.6 17.1 16.7 11.8

1980 to 1989 27 37 123 46 1,711 2,563 6,732 3,816 15.6 14.5 18.3 12.1

1990 to 1999 40 36 95 42 2,036 2,713 5,694 2,716 19.5 13.3 16.7 15.6

2000 to 2003 17 24 52 19 970 1,508 3,303 1,425 17.2 15.9 15.7 13.2

2004 to 2007 8 18 41 30 478 1,237 2,829 1,901 16.3 14.4 14.5 16.0

2008 to 2012 12 17 42 Q 902 978 2,651 1,112 13.5 17.1 16.0 15.9

Number of floors

One 58 99 269 119 3,706 7,457 17,507 9,426 15.5 13.3 15.4 12.6

Two 52 56 100 51 4,074 4,794 6,828 4,270 12.7 11.8 14.6 11.9

Three 30 31 35 13 2,408 2,598 2,041 1,075 12.6 11.9 17.0 12.3

Four to nine 50 46 95 40 3,389 2,850 4,942 2,216 14.6 16.1 19.2 18.2

Ten or more 31 17 31 19 1,727 858 1,690 996 17.9 19.4 18.4 19.4

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 74

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 128 115 202 94 7,883 7,479 10,900 5,597 16.3 15.3 18.5 16.9

Number of elevators

One 34 39 55 19 2,557 3,204 3,659 1,694 13.1 12.2 15.0 11.2

Two to five 52 43 89 39 3,152 2,740 4,576 2,271 16.4 15.6 19.4 17.3

Six or more 43 33 58 36 2,174 1,534 2,665 1,633 19.9 21.4 21.7 22.0

Any escalators 15 15 21 16 752 868 980 868 19.3 17.3 21.4 18.1

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 16 30 62 25 2,449 3,927 6,088 3,070 6.7 7.8 10.1 8.2

5 to 9 13 23 51 25 1,282 1,912 3,551 2,227 10.5 11.9 14.3 11.1

10 to 19 14 26 63 30 1,391 1,881 3,813 2,540 9.8 13.6 16.6 11.8

20 to 49 32 45 94 49 1,904 3,372 5,614 3,629 16.7 13.2 16.8 13.5

50 to 99 34 42 106 31 2,399 2,761 6,091 2,256 14.3 15.4 17.4 13.8

100 to 249 40 37 74 34 2,525 2,323 4,163 1,932 15.8 16.0 17.7 17.8

250 or more 71 46 81 49 3,355 2,379 3,687 2,329 21.1 19.4 21.8 20.9

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 4 11 13 7 976 1,774 2,509 1,293 4.4 6.1 5.2 5.3

40 to 48 21 26 71 36 2,342 3,012 6,735 3,635 9.0 8.6 10.6 10.0

49 to 60 42 50 103 44 3,365 4,364 8,512 4,266 12.4 11.4 12.1 10.4

61 to 84 45 53 98 52 3,317 3,639 5,267 3,644 13.7 14.6 18.7 14.3

85 to 167 36 47 80 37 1,898 2,424 3,142 1,939 18.8 19.4 25.5 19.0

Open continuously 72 63 165 66 3,406 3,344 6,843 3,204 21.2 18.8 24.0 20.7

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 180 219 435 195 13,081 16,449 27,658 14,427 13.8 13.3 15.7 13.5

Business owner or tenant 34 26 78 44 1,815 1,724 4,406 3,226 18.8 14.9 17.8 13.6

Property management Q Q 11 Q Q Q 636 Q Q Q 17.3 Q

Other Q Q 6 Q Q Q 307 Q Q Q 18.6 Q

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 183 222 449 207 13,341 16,782 28,642 15,349 13.7 13.2 15.7 13.5

Business owner or tenant 28 20 61 32 1,395 1,285 3,256 2,274 20.3 15.8 18.9 14.2

Property management Q Q 4 Q Q Q 353 Q Q Q 12.1 Q

Other 6 4 15 2 314 347 756 221 18.2 12.7 20.0 10.0

Number of establishments

One 131 156 339 151 9,460 12,377 21,576 11,069 13.9 12.6 15.7 13.6

2 to 5 47 62 95 45 3,261 4,207 6,489 3,744 14.3 14.7 14.7 12.1

6 to 10 12 12 31 16 767 758 1,639 1,104 15.0 16.1 18.9 14.3

11 to 20 14 9 32 13 844 493 1,555 789 16.6 18.4 20.8 16.5

More than 20 17 10 32 18 869 529 1,417 1,058 19.5 18.3 22.6 16.5

Currently unoccupied Q Q 1 Q Q Q 332 218 Q Q 1.7 3.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 75

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 104 123 275 94 7,600 8,929 16,196 6,948 13.7 13.7 17.0 13.5

Concrete (block or poured) 57 54 140 72 3,522 3,921 7,960 4,897 16.1 13.8 17.6 14.6

Concrete panels 16 29 39 36 827 1,680 3,017 2,931 19.4 17.2 13.1 12.3

Siding or shingles 17 18 18 19 1,532 1,351 1,364 1,328 11.0 13.5 12.9 14.1

Metal panels 10 15 43 11 954 2,057 3,820 1,221 10.4 7.5 11.2 8.8

Window glass 12 Q 8 7 437 Q 356 328 27.1 Q 23.9 20.5

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

No one major type Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 16 28 95 29 1,555 3,151 7,802 2,530 10.2 9.0 12.2 11.6

Synthetic or rubber 90 110 148 75 5,841 7,396 7,697 4,638 15.4 14.8 19.2 16.1

Built-up 64 56 148 69 3,708 3,904 8,569 5,142 17.2 14.4 17.3 13.5

Slate or tile shingles 8 4 29 18 826 391 1,806 1,186 9.1 10.8 15.9 15.3

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 2 Q 6 5 149 Q 376 469 12.9 Q 15.4 9.7

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 34 44 82 37 2,645 3,222 5,577 3,247 12.7 13.6 14.7 11.4

Concrete 5 Q 16 6 299 Q 800 404 18.2 Q 20.3 15.8

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

No one major type Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 164 159 320 157 9,998 10,428 17,584 10,711 16.4 15.2 18.2 14.6

Shallow pitch 29 58 147 64 2,422 4,897 10,654 5,074 12.0 11.8 13.8 12.6

Steeper pitch 28 32 63 22 2,884 3,231 4,769 2,198 9.5 10.0 13.2 10.2

Cool roof 55 60 131 79 3,345 3,642 7,435 4,897 16.5 16.5 17.6 16.1

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 142 142 257 107 9,258 10,037 15,118 7,426 15.3 14.2 17.0 14.4

Addition or annex 38 61 78 28 2,573 4,075 4,522 1,709 14.7 15.0 17.2 16.3

Reduction in floorspace Q 5 13 4 577 246 598 277 23.1 21.4 22.3 13.4

Roof replacement 83 80 125 42 5,437 5,356 6,823 3,099 15.2 14.9 18.4 13.5

Exterior wall replacement 11 17 30 12 927 1,061 1,415 801 11.6 16.3 21.4 14.9

Interior wall reconfiguration 80 78 133 66 5,067 5,168 6,778 4,213 15.7 15.1 19.6 15.6

Window replacement 41 37 71 27 3,391 3,007 3,730 1,983 12.2 12.2 19.0 13.7

HVAC equipment upgrade 107 93 164 69 6,465 6,510 9,183 4,370 16.5 14.3 17.9 15.7

Lighting upgrade 91 89 159 70 6,003 6,084 8,720 4,508 15.2 14.6 18.2 15.5

Electrical upgrade 62 58 101 44 3,976 3,978 5,344 2,648 15.5 14.5 18.9 16.6

Plumbing system upgrade 53 50 80 39 3,393 3,417 4,564 2,327 15.5 14.8 17.5 16.8

Insulation upgrade 26 31 46 23 1,741 2,185 2,264 1,256 14.9 14.4 20.1 18.2

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 71 63 105 43 4,623 3,777 5,788 2,904 15.3 16.6 18.2 14.9

Structural upgrade 9 14 27 19 743 876 1,158 1,041 12.0 16.3 23.3 17.8

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

No renovations 66 90 230 118 5,144 7,542 15,239 9,445 12.9 12.0 15.1 12.5

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 12 17 42 Q 902 978 2,651 1,112 13.5 17.1 16.0 15.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 76

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Natural gas 172 204 335 191 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 15.5 13.6 16.9 15.1

Fuel oil 95 73 153 60 6,075 3,915 7,051 3,088 15.7 18.8 21.7 19.6

District heat 37 15 35 16 1,954 907 2,136 820 18.9 16.3 16.6 19.9

District chilled water 22 10 39 14 782 563 2,440 692 27.9 18.3 16.1 20.4

Propane 24 26 42 19 1,742 1,917 2,593 1,437 13.6 13.5 16.2 13.1

Other 12 8 16 14 1,079 782 906 1,034 10.7 9.9 17.9 13.8

Space-heating energy sources 

Electricity 114 130 383 146 7,264 8,620 22,552 10,603 15.8 15.0 17.0 13.8

Electricity main 40 49 269 81 2,191 2,969 15,152 5,971 18.5 16.4 17.8 13.5

Electricity secondary 74 81 114 65 5,072 5,651 7,400 4,632 14.6 14.3 15.4 14.1

Other excluding electricity 103 118 116 87 7,792 9,416 7,952 5,849 13.2 12.5 14.6 14.8

Buildings without heating Q 2 31 10 248 521 2,503 1,530 Q 3.2 12.3 6.4

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 40 49 269 81 2,191 2,969 15,152 5,971 18.5 16.4 17.8 13.5

Natural gas 120 173 186 133 8,399 13,096 12,340 9,220 14.2 13.2 15.1 14.4

Fuel oil 17 Q 3 Q 1,990 Q 299 Q 8.4 Q 9.0 Q

District heat 37 14 35 16 1,927 862 2,054 801 19.0 16.4 16.8 20.0

Propane 3 7 7 2 377 723 613 235 7.6 9.1 11.1 6.8

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 8.1

Cooling energy sources

Electricity 197 239 499 224 13,320 16,831 29,927 16,002 14.8 14.2 16.7 14.0

Other excluding electricity Q 5 26 Q 642 308 1,787 454 26.5 15.0 14.3 20.8

Buildings without cooling 7 6 6 9 1,342 1,417 1,293 1,527 4.9 4.0 4.6 6.1

Water-heating energy sources

Electricity 97 111 320 121 6,549 7,933 19,434 8,860 14.8 14.0 16.5 13.7

Other excluding electricity 121 134 192 114 8,101 9,655 10,806 7,660 15.0 13.9 17.7 14.8

Buildings without water heating 2 4 18 8 654 968 2,767 1,463 3.7 4.6 6.5 5.8

Cooking energy sources

Electricity 80 99 189 86 4,656 6,153 9,773 4,518 17.1 16.0 19.3 19.1

Other excluding electricity 59 38 97 53 3,504 2,556 4,566 2,712 16.9 14.9 21.2 19.4

Buildings without cooking 81 112 244 104 7,145 9,848 18,668 10,752 11.4 11.4 13.1 9.7

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 217 248 499 233 15,056 18,036 30,504 16,452 14.4 13.7 16.4 14.2

Buildings with cooling 214 244 524 234 13,962 17,139 31,714 16,455 15.3 14.2 16.5 14.2

Buildings with water heating 218 245 512 235 14,650 17,588 30,240 16,520 14.9 13.9 16.9 14.2

Buildings with cooking 139 137 286 139 8,159 8,708 14,339 7,230 17.0 15.7 19.9 19.2

Buildings with manufacturing 15 11 29 11 1,060 1,152 1,705 1,141 14.1 9.8 17.1 10.0

Buildings with electricity

generation 112 88 202 88 6,231 5,333 9,384 4,653 18.0 16.6 21.6 18.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 77

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated Q 2 31 10 248 521 2,503 1,530 Q 3.2 12.3 6.4

1 to 50 9 11 43 35 1,134 1,296 3,988 3,718 8.0 8.7 10.7 9.4

51 to 99 43 30 110 51 2,859 2,249 6,229 3,331 14.9 13.4 17.7 15.3

100 166 206 347 147 11,062 14,491 20,286 9,404 15.0 14.2 17.1 15.7

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 7 6 6 9 1,342 1,417 1,293 1,527 4.9 4.0 4.6 6.1

1 to 50 26 45 47 35 3,577 4,765 6,206 4,407 7.3 9.4 7.6 7.9

51 to 99 89 71 152 68 5,085 4,679 8,481 4,510 17.6 15.3 17.9 15.1

100 98 127 325 131 5,300 7,695 17,027 7,538 18.5 16.6 19.1 17.4

Percent lit when open

Zero Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

1 to 50 14 30 50 20 2,100 2,873 4,766 2,911 6.5 10.5 10.5 6.9

51 to 99 90 114 217 104 6,311 7,931 13,275 7,341 14.3 14.4 16.3 14.2

100 116 104 262 118 6,657 7,260 14,387 7,338 17.4 14.3 18.2 16.0

Building never open/electricity

not used Q 1 1 1 Q 414 456 315 Q 3.2 1.5 3.0

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 37 46 89 60 3,876 5,598 9,119 6,166 9.4 8.3 9.8 9.7

1 to 50 130 170 347 138 9,346 11,467 20,202 9,826 13.9 14.8 17.2 14.0

51 to 100 45 19 65 36 1,758 942 2,543 1,555 25.4 20.1 25.4 23.4

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 9 14 30 9 324 550 1,144 435 28.7 26.2 25.8 20.7

Electricity not used N N N N N N N N N N N N

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 21 16 109 33 1,393 1,037 6,894 2,485 15.2 15.8 15.8 13.3

Furnaces 15 29 45 18 1,266 2,515 3,366 1,536 11.6 11.6 13.3 11.5

Individual space heaters 71 71 86 44 4,883 5,697 6,535 3,603 14.6 12.4 13.1 12.2

District heat 37 15 35 16 1,954 907 2,114 801 18.9 16.3 16.5 20.0

Boilers 87 96 107 60 6,457 6,648 5,798 3,541 13.5 14.4 18.4 16.8

Packaged heating units 110 156 344 161 7,220 10,894 20,129 11,062 15.2 14.3 17.1 14.5

Other Q 7 15 8 Q 370 549 339 Q 19.2 27.4 22.7

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 23 45 81 38 1,699 4,349 5,893 2,827 13.7 10.3 13.7 13.4

Heat pumps 22 17 112 38 1,490 1,010 7,073 2,948 14.4 16.6 15.9 13.0

Individual air conditioners 47 37 56 20 3,846 2,566 4,225 1,727 12.1 14.5 13.3 11.5

District chilled water 22 10 39 14 782 563 2,440 692 27.9 18.3 16.1 20.4

Central chillers 63 78 137 49 3,486 4,462 6,430 2,632 18.2 17.6 21.3 18.7

Packaged air conditioning units 133 148 306 140 8,691 9,824 17,237 9,494 15.3 15.0 17.7 14.8

Swamp coolers Q Q 8 18 Q Q 473 1,344 Q Q 17.1 13.3

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 78

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 69 93 162 64 5,360 6,868 10,065 5,310 12.9 13.6 16.1 12.0

Cooling 87 97 191 70 6,330 7,189 11,666 5,528 13.7 13.5 16.3 12.7

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 136 158 302 132 9,151 11,346 17,465 9,563 14.9 13.9 17.3 13.8

Distributed system 30 26 68 33 2,389 2,342 4,954 3,058 12.4 11.3 13.8 10.9

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 52 61 142 69 3,110 3,900 7,822 3,899 16.6 15.5 18.2 17.7

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 118 137 248 109 7,600 9,023 14,528 7,196 15.5 15.2 17.1 15.1

Standard fluorescent 214 242 509 232 14,486 17,510 31,347 16,717 14.8 13.8 16.2 13.9

Compact fluorescent 174 179 365 171 10,781 11,817 20,033 11,148 16.2 15.2 18.2 15.3

High-intensity discharge (HID) 76 86 158 61 4,480 5,380 9,346 4,158 17.0 16.1 16.9 14.8

Halogen 78 101 205 93 5,255 6,153 10,935 5,621 14.9 16.5 18.8 16.6

LED 90 89 159 77 4,786 5,126 7,502 4,572 18.8 17.3 21.2 16.8

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 207 233 491 219 13,625 16,566 28,733 14,699 15.2 14.1 17.1 14.9

Walk-in units 124 118 250 115 5,856 6,313 10,732 5,361 21.2 18.7 23.3 21.5

Cases or cabinets 120 122 222 118 6,055 6,804 10,364 5,452 19.9 17.9 21.4 21.7

Large cold storage areas 13 18 44 23 565 975 1,672 913 23.6 18.4 26.3 24.8

Commercial ice makers 115 126 290 122 5,561 6,582 14,497 6,039 20.8 19.2 20.0 20.1

Residential-type or compact units 169 193 377 172 11,489 14,256 24,169 12,538 14.7 13.5 15.6 13.7

Vending machines 144 149 315 134 8,459 9,668 17,625 8,170 17.1 15.4 17.9 16.4

No refrigeration 14 16 39 24 1,679 1,991 4,274 3,283 8.1 8.3 9.1 7.3

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 210 238 500 230 14,129 16,857 29,664 16,390 14.8 14.1 16.9 14.0

With flat screen monitors 208 236 493 228 13,969 16,624 29,326 16,219 14.9 14.2 16.8 14.1

With multiple monitors 94 104 214 111 5,319 6,400 12,063 7,144 17.6 16.2 17.8 15.6

Laptop computers 179 196 412 181 11,787 13,893 24,902 12,886 15.2 14.1 16.5 14.0

Dedicated servers 162 173 359 175 10,098 11,263 20,540 11,435 16.0 15.3 17.5 15.3

Laser printers 162 174 357 162 10,321 12,152 20,440 11,304 15.7 14.3 17.5 14.4

Inkjet printers 88 104 226 106 6,593 7,679 14,292 7,701 13.4 13.5 15.8 13.7

FAX machines 189 206 443 191 12,738 14,433 25,797 13,699 14.8 14.3 17.2 14.0

Photocopiers 178 185 371 175 11,668 13,043 22,073 12,461 15.2 14.1 16.8 14.0

Number of desktop computers

None 11 11 30 13 1,175 1,700 3,343 1,592 9.0 6.7 9.0 8.5

1 to 4 26 41 98 41 2,458 3,584 6,273 3,356 10.4 11.3 15.7 12.1

5 to 9 20 28 60 26 1,392 2,122 3,529 2,382 14.1 13.1 16.9 11.1

10 to 19 23 24 51 31 1,646 1,826 3,532 2,389 13.7 13.0 14.6 13.1

20 to 49 31 41 97 40 2,341 2,598 5,344 2,831 13.4 15.8 18.2 14.3

50 to 99 20 28 48 23 1,363 1,984 3,266 1,705 14.9 14.4 14.7 13.4

100 to 249 39 31 60 30 2,268 2,235 3,421 1,781 17.3 13.8 17.4 16.9

250 or more 51 45 86 38 2,662 2,509 4,299 1,945 19.1 18.0 20.1 19.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 79

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Number of laptop computers

None 41 53 119 62 3,518 4,663 8,105 5,096 11.7 11.3 14.6 12.2

1 to 4 38 60 121 53 3,373 5,043 8,088 4,689 11.2 11.9 15.0 11.4

5 to 9 26 23 56 22 1,417 1,478 3,570 1,912 18.0 15.8 15.6 11.4

10 to 19 22 20 56 32 1,498 1,468 3,394 1,983 14.4 13.9 16.6 16.2

20 to 49 22 32 61 38 1,471 2,202 3,804 2,110 15.0 14.7 16.2 18.1

50 to 99 17 21 34 14 1,165 1,332 1,860 886 14.5 15.5 18.2 15.9

100 to 249 24 16 39 11 1,426 1,023 2,111 683 17.2 15.4 18.5 15.8

250 or more 31 24 44 11 1,436 1,347 2,075 623 21.5 17.7 21.0 17.1

Number of dedicated servers

None 58 76 171 68 5,207 7,293 12,468 6,547 11.2 10.5 13.8 10.3

1 to 4 82 102 217 96 6,164 7,209 13,483 7,209 13.4 14.1 16.1 13.3

5 to 9 18 23 37 22 1,084 1,444 2,250 1,516 16.7 16.0 16.7 14.6

10 to 19 25 16 44 24 1,120 994 2,339 1,206 22.7 16.6 18.6 19.8

20 to 49 11 17 29 13 721 999 1,290 771 15.7 16.7 22.6 16.9

50 or more 25 15 32 20 1,009 616 1,177 734 24.6 24.2 27.0 27.8

Number of photocopiers

None 43 65 159 68 3,636 5,513 10,935 5,521 11.7 11.7 14.6 12.4

One 31 47 88 48 2,606 3,945 6,130 4,405 12.0 12.0 14.3 10.9

2 to 4 43 61 132 56 3,594 4,579 8,078 4,086 12.1 13.3 16.3 13.7

5 to 9 35 30 56 23 1,939 2,188 3,221 1,572 18.0 13.9 17.3 14.8

10 or more 68 46 96 47 3,529 2,331 4,644 2,399 19.3 19.6 20.6 19.8

Number of TVs or video displays

None 40 46 89 49 3,817 4,735 8,232 5,346 10.4 9.7 10.8 9.1

One 17 26 55 23 1,416 2,300 4,279 2,006 12.0 11.1 12.9 11.4

2 to 4 36 52 111 38 2,944 4,054 6,315 3,167 12.1 12.8 17.5 11.9

5 to 9 33 21 63 33 1,824 1,451 3,161 1,714 17.9 14.7 20.0 19.4

10 to 19 34 35 57 22 1,765 1,895 3,053 1,420 19.0 18.4 18.5 15.3

20 to 49 24 25 60 31 1,460 1,674 3,196 1,802 16.3 14.7 18.6 17.4

50 to 99 7 15 38 17 393 932 2,075 1,040 17.8 16.3 18.5 16.2

100 or more 31 30 58 30 1,685 1,515 2,698 1,488 18.4 19.7 21.4 20.4

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 36 37 78 40 1,898 2,273 3,708 1,873 19.0 16.4 20.9 21.3

Fast food or small restaurant 37 39 97 51 1,760 1,761 3,729 2,421 20.8 22.0 26.1 21.3

Cafeteria or large restaurant 62 52 103 44 3,604 3,415 5,908 2,224 17.3 15.2 17.5 19.6

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 58 60 117 57 3,224 3,938 6,008 2,792 17.9 15.3 19.5 20.3

Small kitchen area 41 42 83 37 3,135 3,424 5,040 2,376 12.9 12.3 16.4 15.7

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 54 49 82 54 2,403 2,439 3,833 2,311 22.3 20.0 21.5 23.3

Computer-based training room 51 65 128 56 3,318 3,938 7,057 3,279 15.3 16.5 18.1 17.2

Student or public computer center 32 41 94 37 2,710 3,345 5,953 2,245 11.7 12.2 15.8 16.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 80

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 220 249 530 243 15,304 18,556 33,007 17,982 14.4 13.4 16.1 13.5

Total electricity

consumption 

(billion kWh)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

(million square feet)

Electricity 

energy intensity 

(kwh/square foot)

Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 125 128 173 112 6,918 7,879 8,999 6,835 18.1 16.3 19.2 16.4

Regular HVAC maintenance 203 223 470 212 12,994 15,169 26,552 14,506 15.6 14.7 17.7 14.6

Building automation system (BAS)1 126 133 279 132 6,936 7,982 14,544 7,517 18.2 16.7 19.2 17.5

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 170 213 387 161 11,380 15,114 22,287 10,881 15.0 14.1 17.3 14.8

Tinted window glass 109 140 320 150 6,286 8,973 18,561 10,507 17.3 15.6 17.2 14.3

Reflective window glass 44 65 122 70 2,296 3,767 5,431 4,244 19.0 17.2 22.4 16.5

External overhangs or awnings 81 102 250 117 4,293 6,460 13,714 7,472 18.8 15.8 18.2 15.6

Skylights or atriums 64 57 136 74 4,060 4,081 8,028 5,850 15.7 14.1 17.0 12.7

Light scheduling 107 107 207 121 5,883 6,627 10,720 7,028 18.1 16.1 19.3 17.2

Occupancy sensors 124 124 236 124 7,734 7,906 11,881 8,254 16.0 15.7 19.9 15.0

Multi-level lighting or dimming 44 55 109 64 2,346 3,162 5,374 3,537 18.8 17.4 20.3 18.1

Daylight harvesting 18 27 36 28 1,032 1,486 1,993 1,580 17.5 18.5 17.8 17.6

Demand responsive lighting 10 15 34 21 648 913 1,699 1,502 14.8 16.6 20.1 13.9

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 47 45 91 57 2,154 2,428 4,458 2,977 21.7 18.4 20.3 19.2

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 173 185 354 181 12,280 14,114 23,294 13,475 14.1 13.1 15.2 13.4

Cooling 167 180 375 180 11,460 13,461 24,454 13,215 14.6 13.4 15.3 13.6

Lighting 200 230 482 225 14,262 17,259 30,530 16,508 14.1 13.3 15.8 13.6

Annual consumption

(kilowatthours)

10,000 or less 1 1 1 1 572 864 987 662 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3

10,001 to 50,000 7 11 18 13 1,809 2,536 3,530 2,609 4.0 4.5 5.1 5.1

50,001 to 100,000 8 13 26 14 938 1,675 3,098 1,896 8.3 7.8 8.5 7.6

100,001 to 500,000 40 53 126 65 3,364 4,241 8,515 5,214 11.8 12.4 14.8 12.5

500,001 to 1,000,000 23 36 79 27 1,791 2,197 4,256 1,838 12.8 16.6 18.5 14.6

1,000,001 to 5,000,000 69 85 158 68 4,105 4,865 8,037 3,707 16.7 17.4 19.6 18.4

Over 5,000,000 73 50 122 54 2,725 2,178 4,584 2,056 26.8 22.8 26.7 26.4

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS).

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See the Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definitions of terms used in 

these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/ 

● Site electricity is the amount of electricity delivered to commercial builidngs. Primary electricity, which is not included in the Total of major fuels category, is site 

electricity plus the conversion losses in the generation, transmission, and distribution processes. ● Statistics for the Energy end uses category represent total consumption 

in buildings that have the end use, not consumption specifically for that particular end use. ● HVAC = Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Forms EIA-871A and E of the 2012 Commercial Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 81

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 40 65 91 54 478 1,126 1,266 888 82.9 57.5 71.7 61.2

5,001 to 10,000 32 71 83 55 630 1,378 1,536 1,274 51.2 51.4 54.2 43.4

10,001 to 25,000 59 81 82 74 1,608 2,185 2,632 2,398 36.5 37.1 31.2 31.0

25,001 to 50,000 46 100 74 57 1,134 2,628 2,638 1,747 40.8 37.9 27.9 32.6

50,001 to 100,000 85 99 97 48 2,118 2,182 4,003 1,631 40.2 45.5 24.1 29.4

100,001 to 200,000 101 69 56 57 2,158 1,870 3,481 1,917 46.7 36.9 16.0 29.9

200,001 to 500,000 75 92 56 79 1,716 2,393 2,374 1,807 43.8 38.3 23.6 43.9

Over 500,000 49 50 61 Q 1,276 1,264 1,953 1,041 38.4 39.4 31.3 Q

Principal building activity

Education 77 106 61 40 1,647 2,738 3,711 1,426 46.6 38.7 16.6 27.9

Food sales Q Q 10 Q Q Q 169 Q Q Q 59.2 Q

Food service 25 49 103 45 196 300 577 321 130.3 162.5 178.0 140.0

Health care 62 62 78 57 895 717 994 669 68.9 86.3 78.1 85.4

Inpatient 46 48 73 46 429 422 814 431 107.9 113.1 89.9 107.5

Outpatient 15 14 4 11 465 295 180 238 32.9 48.0 24.7 45.3

Lodging 34 41 65 74 778 827 1,961 1,242 44.3 49.9 33.4 59.3

Mercantile 52 80 77 76 1,296 1,860 2,983 2,417 40.4 42.8 25.9 31.2

Retail (other than mall) 13 30 14 16 507 870 935 1,060 25.2 33.9 15.1 15.2

Enclosed and strip malls 40 50 63 59 790 990 2,048 1,357 50.1 50.7 30.7 43.8

Office 92 84 47 52 2,742 2,517 2,713 2,351 33.7 33.5 17.2 22.1

Public assembly 28 53 27 23 659 1,329 1,035 839 42.9 40.0 26.5 27.0

Public order and safety Q Q 10 Q Q Q 418 Q Q Q 23.5 Q

Religious worship 19 27 24 15 730 704 1,081 501 25.8 38.6 22.2 29.2

Service 19 46 42 12 285 1,223 934 348 64.9 37.9 44.4 35.2

Warehouse and storage 31 37 28 39 1,149 1,831 2,547 1,529 27.1 20.1 11.2 25.5

Other Q Q 24 Q Q Q 591 314 Q Q 41.2 73.5

Vacant Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Year constructed

Before 1920 34 27 20 4 991 744 375 210 33.9 36.9 53.6 19.0

1920 to 1945 49 53 20 19 1,256 1,279 774 500 38.8 41.6 25.8 38.6

1946 to 1959 56 61 40 37 1,017 1,457 1,787 1,107 55.0 41.9 22.4 33.7

1960 to 1969 65 92 79 71 1,752 2,212 2,120 1,465 37.3 41.5 37.1 48.3

1970 to 1979 87 94 89 62 1,559 2,119 2,318 2,005 55.5 44.2 38.5 31.0

1980 to 1989 43 99 113 72 1,143 2,144 4,056 2,567 37.3 46.3 27.9 27.9

1990 to 1999 75 80 95 80 1,572 2,245 3,276 2,075 47.8 35.4 29.1 38.6

2000 to 2003 36 42 43 32 837 1,181 1,815 903 43.4 35.9 23.6 35.6

2004 to 2007 20 36 53 Q 335 978 1,719 1,025 58.7 36.9 30.6 57.7

2008 to 2012 23 42 48 Q 656 667 1,642 846 34.6 62.6 29.2 50.8

Number of floors

One 120 262 299 214 2,583 6,033 9,751 6,170 46.6 43.5 30.7 34.7

Two 141 141 111 105 3,152 4,047 4,328 3,169 44.7 34.9 25.6 33.2

Three 56 92 46 25 1,609 2,120 1,582 792 34.7 43.5 28.8 31.4

Four to nine 132 102 110 89 2,670 2,132 3,243 1,726 49.4 47.6 34.0 51.4

Ten or more 38 29 34 Q 1,104 693 980 846 34.2 42.0 34.6 Q

Total natural gas

consumption

(billion cubic feet)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

(million square feet)

Natural gas

energy intensity

(cubic feet/square foot)

Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 82

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Total natural gas

consumption

(billion cubic feet)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

(million square feet)

Natural gas

energy intensity

(cubic feet/square foot)

Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 49 87 72 49 1,238 2,532 2,514 1,573 39.9 34.3 28.8 31.1

5 to 9 34 54 64 44 859 1,476 1,783 1,238 39.8 36.9 35.8 35.8

10 to 19 37 89 101 64 1,063 1,622 2,254 1,860 34.6 54.6 44.7 34.6

20 to 49 59 117 107 87 1,437 2,898 3,567 2,714 41.0 40.2 30.0 32.0

50 to 99 92 105 100 54 1,796 2,411 4,364 1,785 51.0 43.4 23.0 30.3

100 to 249 100 83 67 79 2,192 2,137 3,000 1,552 45.6 38.9 22.2 51.1

250 or more 116 92 89 101 2,532 1,948 2,399 1,981 45.7 47.2 37.0 51.2

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 14 36 25 19 485 1,211 1,241 770 29.9 29.7 20.3 24.5

40 to 48 44 83 63 62 1,454 2,532 3,762 2,202 30.3 32.7 16.9 28.0

49 to 60 72 121 95 72 2,504 3,587 4,880 3,092 28.8 33.7 19.5 23.4

61 to 84 114 144 115 85 2,607 3,153 3,199 2,599 43.9 45.7 35.8 32.8

85 to 167 96 87 101 55 1,564 1,812 2,058 1,341 61.4 48.3 49.2 41.2

Open continuously 146 155 200 186 2,505 2,732 4,742 2,698 58.1 56.8 42.2 68.9

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 397 549 472 387 9,400 13,059 16,346 10,271 42.2 42.1 28.9 37.7

Business owner or tenant 74 66 111 83 1,422 1,593 3,030 2,236 52.2 41.2 36.7 37.3

Property management Q Q 10 Q Q Q 326 Q Q Q 30.6 Q

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 405 563 486 412 9,550 13,425 16,965 10,979 42.4 41.9 28.7 37.5

Business owner or tenant 59 49 90 61 1,085 1,169 2,333 1,489 54.0 41.8 38.4 41.0

Property management Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Other Q Q 22 Q Q 330 456 Q Q 30.1 47.7 Q

Number of establishments

One 329 416 417 327 6,846 9,793 12,825 7,680 48.0 42.5 32.5 42.5

2 to 5 93 142 104 79 2,213 3,466 4,171 2,580 42.0 41.1 24.9 30.8

6 to 10 21 27 26 30 566 693 955 832 37.0 39.1 27.7 36.0

11 to 20 27 23 36 24 729 436 964 639 36.6 53.7 37.3 37.2

More than 20 17 16 16 16 704 514 869 835 24.0 30.4 18.8 19.7

Currently unoccupied Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 258 343 328 202 6,069 7,501 10,465 5,017 42.4 45.8 31.4 40.3

Concrete (block or poured) 117 134 153 117 2,708 3,363 4,804 3,581 43.3 39.8 31.8 32.7

Concrete panels 35 62 41 Q 679 1,362 1,913 1,990 51.5 45.7 21.3 32.6

Siding or shingles 24 36 29 42 629 920 455 884 38.1 39.7 63.7 47.1

Metal panels Q 38 41 21 443 1,319 1,869 749 Q 29.1 21.9 28.7

Window glass Q Q Q 14 Q Q Q 256 Q Q Q 56.1

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

No one major type Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 83

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Total natural gas

consumption

(billion cubic feet)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

(million square feet)

Natural gas

energy intensity

(cubic feet/square foot)

Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 22 62 101 50 758 2,115 3,454 1,516 28.5 29.3 29.3 32.9

Synthetic or rubber 213 257 180 179 4,639 6,031 5,539 3,573 45.9 42.5 32.5 50.2

Built-up 137 150 164 116 2,938 3,424 5,896 3,758 46.6 44.0 27.8 30.9

Slate or tile shingles 30 13 29 40 627 330 1,047 795 47.2 39.4 Q 50.4

Wooden materials (including

shingles) Q Q 16 11 Q Q 195 246 Q Q 80.8 44.8

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 64 130 95 69 1,714 2,676 3,239 2,281 37.4 48.6 29.5 30.3

Concrete 8 Q Q 5 213 Q Q 256 36.8 Q Q 20.6

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

No one major type Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 356 387 371 304 7,941 8,818 11,457 7,628 44.9 43.9 32.3 39.9

Shallow pitch 74 133 139 123 1,457 3,864 5,616 3,564 51.0 34.3 24.7 34.7

Steeper pitch 56 106 90 52 1,721 2,344 2,810 1,510 32.5 45.4 32.2 34.1

Cool roof 127 143 155 162 2,407 3,172 5,097 3,651 52.6 45.2 30.4 44.4

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 308 340 304 247 6,979 8,292 9,916 5,737 44.1 41.0 30.6 43.1

Addition or annex 97 141 126 91 1,942 3,340 3,267 1,472 50.1 42.3 38.7 61.7

Reduction in floorspace Q 11 18 Q Q 225 425 Q Q 47.7 42.7 Q

Roof replacement 191 196 160 117 4,086 4,483 5,010 2,549 46.8 43.7 32.0 45.8

Exterior wall replacement 23 34 37 33 738 870 1,043 718 31.1 38.5 35.1 45.9

Interior wall reconfiguration 156 176 147 150 4,024 4,271 4,362 3,398 38.8 41.1 33.6 44.0

Window replacement 93 101 97 85 2,382 2,534 2,533 1,733 39.1 39.8 38.5 49.3

HVAC equipment upgrade 216 217 207 181 5,025 5,452 6,224 3,669 42.9 39.8 33.3 49.2

Lighting upgrade 197 223 190 179 4,643 5,076 5,826 3,716 42.4 43.9 32.6 48.3

Electrical upgrade 139 142 123 133 3,153 3,138 3,687 2,269 44.0 45.2 33.5 58.6

Plumbing system upgrade 130 121 126 125 2,694 2,789 3,022 1,954 48.4 43.2 41.6 63.9

Insulation upgrade 61 67 67 Q 1,371 1,781 1,576 1,068 44.4 37.6 42.7 62.4

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 151 142 146 116 3,547 3,109 4,066 2,441 42.5 45.7 35.8 47.5

Structural upgrade 16 27 40 Q 483 724 713 832 33.2 37.7 56.3 76.6

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

No renovations 156 245 248 189 3,484 6,067 8,325 6,120 44.8 40.3 29.8 30.9

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 23 42 48 Q 656 667 1,642 846 34.6 62.6 29.2 50.8

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Natural gas 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Fuel oil 154 151 156 148 3,541 3,057 4,454 2,567 43.4 49.3 35.0 57.5

District heat Q 5 16 Q 1,056 374 846 482 Q 13.8 Q 99.3

District chilled water Q 5 26 Q Q 315 1,059 426 88.1 16.1 24.5 126.4

Propane 17 40 36 Q 533 969 997 892 32.4 41.0 36.3 Q

Other 40 19 13 33 806 630 471 730 49.6 30.4 28.6 45.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 84

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Total natural gas

consumption

(billion cubic feet)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

(million square feet)

Natural gas

energy intensity

(cubic feet/square foot)

Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Space-heating energy sources 

Natural gas 440 613 483 387 9,393 14,042 15,472 10,704 46.8 43.7 31.2 36.1

Natural gas main 417 584 396 329 8,399 13,096 12,340 9,220 49.6 44.6 32.1 35.7

Natural gas secondary 23 29 87 58 995 946 3,132 1,484 23.1 31.1 27.8 38.8

Other excluding natural gas Q 13 106 81 1,718 961 4,079 1,789 26.5 13.2 26.0 45.2

Buildings without heating Q Q 11 Q Q Q 332 Q Q Q 33.4 Q

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 28 35 176 89 1,239 1,369 6,309 2,698 22.3 25.9 27.8 32.8

Natural gas 417 584 396 329 8,399 13,096 12,340 9,220 49.6 44.6 32.1 35.7

Fuel oil 5 N Q Q 372 N Q Q 14.6 N Q Q

District heat Q 4 16 Q 1,029 356 833 465 Q 12.1 Q 102.7

Propane Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Cooling energy sources

Natural gas 27 Q Q Q 295 Q Q Q 92.5 Q Q Q

Other excluding natural gas 442 588 589 447 10,355 14,234 19,552 12,037 42.6 41.3 30.2 37.1

Buildings without cooling 18 19 5 27 468 572 212 574 38.1 32.9 23.0 46.4

Water-heating energy sources

Natural gas 409 511 456 351 7,535 10,623 12,292 9,131 54.3 48.1 37.1 38.4

Other excluding natural gas 74 108 129 116 3,409 4,094 6,819 3,119 21.8 26.5 19.0 37.0

Buildings without water heating Q 6 14 13 Q 309 771 452 Q 21.0 18.6 29.2

Cooking energy sources

Natural gas 281 295 357 274 5,362 5,623 8,531 5,153 52.4 52.4 41.9 53.1

Other excluding natural gas 32 77 50 40 1,132 1,924 2,076 1,159 28.6 40.2 24.3 34.3

Buildings without cooking 173 254 192 166 4,623 7,479 9,276 6,390 37.5 33.9 20.7 25.9

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 485 626 589 468 11,111 15,003 19,551 12,492 43.7 41.7 30.1 37.4

Buildings with cooling 469 607 595 453 10,650 14,454 19,671 12,128 44.0 42.0 30.2 37.3

Buildings with water heating 483 620 585 466 10,944 14,717 19,112 12,250 44.2 42.1 30.6 38.0

Buildings with cooking 313 372 408 314 6,495 7,547 10,607 6,312 48.2 49.3 38.5 49.7

Buildings with manufacturing 40 29 33 18 748 988 1,268 715 53.1 29.2 26.3 25.6

Buildings with electricity

generation 240 203 196 194 4,902 4,738 6,626 3,989 49.0 42.8 29.6 48.7

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated Q Q 11 Q Q Q 332 Q Q Q 33.4 Q

1 to 50 17 14 35 54 608 896 1,911 2,322 28.0 15.2 18.3 23.3

51 to 99 102 86 153 91 2,130 1,963 4,348 2,778 48.1 43.7 35.2 32.7

100 366 526 401 323 8,374 12,144 13,293 7,392 43.7 43.3 30.1 43.6

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 18 19 5 27 468 572 212 574 38.1 32.9 23.0 46.4

1 to 50 109 149 70 78 2,724 4,239 3,500 2,639 40.1 35.2 20.1 29.7

51 to 99 179 174 171 126 3,742 4,070 5,687 3,673 47.8 42.9 30.1 34.4

100 181 284 353 248 4,184 6,146 10,484 5,816 43.2 46.2 33.7 42.7
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 85

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Total natural gas

consumption

(billion cubic feet)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

(million square feet)

Natural gas

energy intensity

(cubic feet/square foot)

Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 44 26 103 69 1,089 740 4,052 1,663 40.1 35.4 25.4 41.2

Furnaces 36 84 73 46 1,110 2,099 2,482 1,384 32.0 40.0 29.3 33.3

Individual space heaters 134 175 123 98 3,537 4,811 4,655 2,837 38.0 36.4 26.4 34.6

District heat Q 5 16 Q 1,056 374 833 465 Q 13.8 Q 102.7

Boilers 283 306 198 173 5,201 6,166 5,324 3,334 54.5 49.6 37.2 51.7

Packaged heating units 241 391 400 295 6,111 9,394 13,571 8,574 39.4 41.6 29.5 34.4

Other Q Q 10 12 Q Q 415 244 Q Q 24.2 48.3

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 64 147 108 88 1,318 3,846 3,254 2,090 48.4 38.1 33.1 42.1

Heat pumps 44 28 116 62 1,192 695 4,285 1,849 37.2 40.6 27.0 33.6

Individual air conditioners 145 91 85 44 2,837 2,200 2,869 1,192 51.2 41.2 29.5 37.3

District chilled water Q 5 26 Q Q 315 1,059 426 88.1 16.1 24.5 126.4

Central chillers 128 185 169 102 2,771 3,771 4,914 2,301 46.1 49.1 34.4 44.2

Packaged air conditioning units 272 378 370 265 6,819 8,624 12,116 7,484 39.9 43.9 30.5 35.4

Swamp coolers Q Q Q 52 Q Q Q 1,109 Q Q Q 46.5

Other Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 175 231 233 132 4,065 5,826 7,000 4,215 43.0 39.6 33.3 31.4

Cooling 194 266 257 143 4,831 6,279 7,798 4,204 40.1 42.4 32.9 33.9

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 314 426 369 269 6,774 9,517 10,748 6,916 46.3 44.8 34.3 38.9

Distributed system 61 67 53 69 1,678 2,061 2,590 1,930 36.3 32.7 20.6 35.8

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 109 126 163 128 2,492 3,140 5,774 3,404 43.6 40.2 28.2 37.5

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 77 90 94 94 1,482 1,967 2,690 1,660 52.0 46.0 34.8 56.8

Fast food or small restaurant 69 79 112 103 1,535 1,541 2,909 2,251 44.8 51.3 38.4 45.8

Cafeteria or large restaurant 148 143 158 123 3,011 3,084 4,894 1,982 49.1 46.4 32.2 62.1

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 163 178 169 146 2,739 3,649 5,040 2,533 59.6 48.8 33.5 57.5

Small kitchen area 95 124 93 87 2,458 3,064 3,305 1,994 38.7 40.5 28.1 43.5

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 262 289 197 241 5,693 6,799 6,334 5,778 46.0 42.6 31.2 41.7

Regular HVAC maintenance 441 561 514 426 9,897 12,918 16,817 11,062 44.6 43.4 30.5 38.5

Building automation system (BAS)1 245 285 275 268 5,519 6,557 9,634 6,065 44.5 43.4 28.5 44.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 86

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 487 626 600 479 11,118 15,026 19,883 12,702 43.8 41.7 30.2 37.7

Total natural gas

consumption

(billion cubic feet)

Total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

(million square feet)

Natural gas

energy intensity

(cubic feet/square foot)

Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 379 536 445 347 8,492 12,540 14,533 8,151 44.7 42.8 30.6 42.6

Tinted window glass 252 331 374 301 5,206 7,510 12,059 7,800 48.3 44.0 31.0 38.5

Reflective window glass 95 147 123 163 1,810 3,373 3,543 3,264 52.6 43.4 34.7 49.9

External overhangs or awnings 190 260 292 262 3,431 5,562 8,351 5,753 55.5 46.8 34.9 45.6

Skylights or atriums 163 143 163 194 3,322 3,611 5,227 4,524 49.1 39.6 31.2 42.9

Light scheduling 212 251 214 227 4,825 5,748 6,858 5,653 44.0 43.6 31.2 40.2

Occupancy sensors 272 287 229 253 6,046 6,642 7,950 6,275 44.9 43.1 28.9 40.3

Multi-level lighting or dimming 98 133 149 179 1,967 2,591 3,879 3,140 49.7 51.4 38.5 57.0

Daylight harvesting 53 47 36 57 894 1,274 1,367 1,383 59.0 37.2 26.2 40.9

Demand responsive lighting 25 31 36 32 469 879 1,100 1,255 52.5 35.3 32.9 25.7

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 90 86 71 80 1,816 2,111 2,969 2,484 49.5 40.9 23.8 32.2

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 384 498 421 330 9,227 11,988 15,367 10,274 41.6 41.5 27.4 32.1

Cooling 378 474 430 321 8,903 11,411 15,639 9,864 42.4 41.5 27.5 32.5

Lighting 457 594 553 450 10,460 14,155 18,528 11,899 43.7 41.9 29.8 37.8

Annual consumption

(hundred cubic feet)

1,000 or less 5 16 17 12 683 1,253 3,068 1,930 7.7 12.8 5.4 6.4

1,001 to 5,000 48 83 84 61 2,103 3,232 4,935 3,050 22.9 25.8 17.0 19.9

5,001 to 10,000 44 61 80 46 1,514 1,757 3,358 1,420 28.9 34.9 23.9 32.7

10,001 to 25,000 65 127 145 113 1,845 3,147 3,691 2,446 35.1 40.3 39.3 46.2

25,001 to 50,000 72 96 79 56 1,675 1,910 2,092 1,505 43.1 50.0 37.9 37.5

50,001 to 100,000 86 83 69 50 1,496 1,639 1,351 925 57.4 50.7 51.4 54.3

Over 100,000 167 160 125 140 1,802 2,088 1,389 1,427 92.5 76.7 90.1 98.1

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS).

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See the Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definitions of terms used in 

these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/ 

● Statistics for the Energy end uses category represent total consumption in buildings that have the end use, not consumption specifically for that particular end use. ● 

HVAC = Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Forms EIA-871A and C of the 2012 Commercial Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 87

Release date: May 2016

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 723 155 50 45 57 59 105 131 21 33 56

5,001 to 10,000 646 157 45 48 42 58 82 93 17 33 62

10,001 to 25,000 876 243 67 79 56 92 60 92 28 50 103

25,001 to 50,000 822 223 79 84 60 97 33 68 21 46 108

50,001 to 100,000 1,066 288 103 108 83 110 42 103 27 60 141

100,001 to 200,000 1,034 243 95 116 77 119 54 92 21 73 144

200,001 to 500,000 1,026 267 125 106 74 109 59 68 19 62 136

Over 500,000 767 178 92 82 57 80 81 23 19 48 106

Principal building activity

Education 842 299 91 68 67 78 15 40 21 78 84

Food sales 262 32 6 12 3 16 29 147 2 2 14

Food service 514 46 30 31 43 19 199 113 7 4 21

Health care 718 210 79 83 82 61 52 19 17 34 82

Inpatient 549 164 67 46 78 40 47 14 12 21 59

Outpatient 169 46 12 37 4 21 4 4 5 13 23

Lodging 564 67 39 49 136 40 69 33 43 6 83

Mercantile 1,007 182 91 121 66 140 72 191 18 23 103

Retail (other than mall) 364 76 40 46 5 72 8 53 7 11 46

Enclosed and strip malls 644 106 52 75 61 68 64 139 11 12 57

Office 1,240 305 118 214 35 147 Q 28 37 167 153

Public assembly 480 188 86 24 7 35 14 25 7 16 72

Public order and safety 133 36 16 5 21 15 4 3 3 8 22

Religious worship 173 74 15 13 Q 9 11 4 4 3 26

Service 272 118 21 14 22 37 1 5 4 8 39

Warehouse and storage 428 116 35 13 11 85 Q 47 6 16 73

Other 285 69 26 16 2 37 Q 15 2 40 77

Vacant 42 13 2 4 Q 5 Q 1 0 1 8

Year constructed

Before 1920 238 102 10 19 9 20 19 15 4 10 27

1920 to 1945 418 143 33 35 34 38 23 33 9 23 45

1946 to 1959 537 177 44 48 40 50 35 40 12 25 63

1960 to 1969 902 280 74 73 71 90 44 70 23 56 118

1970 to 1979 1,011 251 87 100 97 98 89 90 25 58 113

1980 to 1989 1,164 219 142 129 78 132 84 115 31 77 150

1990 to 1999 1,102 227 113 108 70 121 101 129 27 65 135

2000 to 2003 578 139 57 61 30 67 33 57 14 40 78

2004 to 2007 528 104 50 47 41 57 Q 66 15 25 62

2008 to 2012 483 114 46 49 35 50 33 54 12 26 64

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 88

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Census region and division

Northeast 1,458 503 89 134 100 134 91 120 27 81 176

New England 367 159 15 27 15 29 17 34 7 16 46

Middle Atlantic 1,091 344 73 107 85 105 73 87 20 65 130

Midwest 1,565 573 98 141 94 155 82 127 33 79 176

East North Central 1,130 431 67 100 67 109 58 91 22 55 126

West North Central 435 143 30 41 27 46 24 37 11 24 50

South 2,565 404 375 259 183 295 201 278 72 152 332

South Atlantic 1,358 203 199 140 92 154 104 154 42 89 174

East South Central 369 73 39 37 35 40 30 42 11 18 42

West South Central 838 128 138 82 56 101 67 82 19 45 116

West 1,372 275 94 134 130 139 143 144 40 93 173

Mountain 418 108 30 39 35 38 Q 35 13 22 44

Pacific 955 167 63 95 95 101 91 109 27 71 129

Number of floors

One 2,831 621 260 243 170 324 249 433 61 127 317

Two 1,459 382 125 139 102 154 104 132 36 101 180

Three 667 223 59 64 47 63 28 38 18 43 83

Four to nine 1,432 411 145 154 136 127 76 50 38 94 199

Ten or more 571 118 66 68 52 55 Q 16 19 41 77

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 3,181 851 328 349 261 304 200 136 83 237 428

Number of elevators

One 882 265 72 95 74 88 46 52 24 58 108

Two to five 1,241 327 124 140 86 122 52 51 32 120 185

Six or more 1,057 259 132 115 101 94 102 33 28 59 135

Any escalators 377 74 45 43 25 42 Q 17 12 17 52

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 756 228 55 45 52 78 41 93 22 24 91

5 to 9 598 142 51 50 40 61 60 79 17 24 72

10 to 19 772 184 57 60 65 71 102 99 22 32 79

20 to 49 1,188 284 106 113 81 126 90 144 30 73 140

50 to 99 1,148 290 118 118 82 128 50 118 27 74 143

100 to 249 1,058 286 101 110 63 116 51 86 21 68 156

250 or more 1,441 342 168 172 123 143 123 50 34 109 177

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 228 95 20 8 10 17 11 15 6 12 25

40 to 48 831 256 87 74 36 99 19 40 27 82 107

49 to 60 1,258 371 127 138 48 150 33 64 33 121 168

61 to 84 1,369 330 128 148 88 143 123 173 25 65 143

85 to 167 1,098 252 89 92 59 106 130 212 13 27 112

Open continuously 2,176 450 204 209 265 209 200 167 67 97 302
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 89

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 5,805 1,516 557 561 414 606 402 476 149 357 738

Business owner or tenant 983 204 80 90 76 101 99 176 18 39 98

Property management 96 17 10 12 11 9 8 8 3 7 12

Other 76 19 8 5 6 7 8 10 2 2 9

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 5,980 1,555 570 577 430 625 414 505 153 365 756

Business owner or tenant 767 156 65 70 58 78 81 133 14 32 78

Property management 61 12 6 8 5 7 4 5 2 3 8

Other 153 31 14 14 14 14 17 26 3 5 15

Number of establishments

One 4,482 1,153 407 387 356 455 368 405 120 248 556

2 to 5 1,401 382 130 143 90 146 81 147 29 71 181

6 to 10 363 84 34 45 21 37 22 47 8 28 38

11 to 20 355 78 36 46 22 38 26 45 7 19 37

More than 20 346 51 48 47 17 48 19 26 7 39 44

Currently unoccupied 13 6 0 0 Q 0 Q Q Q Q Q

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 3,456 917 319 335 284 330 262 292 92 207 408

Concrete (block or poured) 1,718 365 178 164 126 186 129 232 39 81 214

Concrete panels 664 157 57 69 42 77 Q 47 18 50 91

Siding or shingles 400 106 28 35 26 39 40 46 11 19 45

Metal panels 427 137 43 32 13 64 9 31 7 22 61

Window glass 170 46 17 22 Q 17 5 7 3 21 23

Other 80 13 11 7 3 7 Q Q 1 3 9

No one major type 45 15 3 5 2 5 Q 4 1 2 6

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 864 208 92 65 39 115 56 98 21 45 112

Synthetic or rubber 2,440 666 210 245 164 243 181 228 55 143 301

Built-up 1,862 436 194 199 145 198 131 163 42 119 232

Slate or tile shingles 371 101 26 30 36 30 38 33 12 19 42

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 93 26 6 6 9 7 12 12 2 3 8

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 1,105 276 100 99 97 107 86 113 35 56 130

Concrete 133 16 20 16 10 16 4 11 4 16 20

Other 58 11 6 5 4 5 7 9 1 2 8

No one major type 35 13 3 3 Q 4 Q Q 1 2 5

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 4,474 1,102 446 464 348 472 314 382 102 276 560

Shallow pitch 1,596 382 138 136 85 177 131 212 41 87 193

Steeper pitch 890 271 71 69 74 75 72 75 29 42 104

Cool roof 1,836 433 180 183 139 186 142 179 40 113 236
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 90

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 3,760 992 352 368 277 367 291 320 89 229 468

Addition or annex 1,291 364 131 112 109 118 123 84 32 59 158

Reduction in floorspace 225 49 20 23 Q 22 Q 19 4 9 23

Roof replacement 1,985 554 183 194 153 189 147 145 44 118 255

Exterior wall replacement 398 89 41 38 28 37 45 35 8 28 49

Interior wall reconfiguration 2,055 539 201 219 140 199 155 143 48 155 254

Window replacement 1,089 303 98 100 88 97 96 64 30 73 137

HVAC equipment upgrade 2,543 650 252 252 197 245 210 198 59 157 322

Lighting upgrade 2,438 661 221 235 183 226 194 208 56 147 304

Electrical upgrade 1,607 421 150 149 122 144 149 121 37 100 212

Plumbing system upgrade 1,396 364 120 129 119 116 143 99 35 86 182

Insulation upgrade 771 196 68 66 52 63 90 69 19 52 96

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 1,684 444 167 164 140 150 126 118 38 113 221

Structural upgrade 423 83 42 35 30 35 68 30 11 29 59

Other 69 19 9 9 3 8 1 3 2 6 9

No renovations 2,717 650 258 251 195 307 193 295 71 150 324

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 483 114 46 49 35 50 33 54 12 26 64

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Natural gas 5,541 1,518 472 498 476 514 483 523 127 283 640

Fuel oil 2,231 587 243 226 161 222 151 116 51 157 313

District heat 807 256 39 83 81 68 89 23 19 40 108

District chilled water 664 206 18 68 68 58 78 18 16 40 94

Propane 583 122 49 48 35 64 Q 78 17 23 93

Other 301 85 27 31 15 30 15 26 5 16 51

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 3,896 778 430 408 270 432 287 435 106 246 497

Natural gas 4,445 1,395 361 393 336 414 312 419 95 226 487

Fuel oil 360 146 29 28 18 34 12 19 7 17 48

District heat 803 256 38 83 81 67 88 22 19 40 107

Propane 151 27 12 14 5 19 10 26 5 7 26

Other 48 13 2 5 2 7 Q 5 1 2 7

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 1,844 106 257 216 138 237 166 236 64 148 271

Natural gas 3,870 1,296 309 339 268 360 242 361 78 197 414

Fuel oil 187 92 10 12 4 17 5 9 4 8 27

District heat 793 253 37 82 80 67 88 22 18 39 105

Propane 63 4 5 6 0 9 Q 17 2 3 11

Other 21 5 1 2 Q 4 Q 2 Q 1 4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 91

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 6,319 1,532 649 619 449 659 451 636 157 372 783

Natural gas 98 37 15 9 9 7 3 2 2 4 11

District chilled water 664 206 18 68 68 58 78 18 16 40 94

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 3,100 649 347 339 95 380 207 378 74 221 405

Natural gas 4,027 1,092 341 348 431 350 347 407 93 184 429

Fuel oil 174 75 12 12 6 14 8 10 4 7 25

District heat 652 188 33 67 74 56 80 17 16 32 89

Propane 87 6 10 8 0 9 6 24 3 3 15

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 2,511 574 253 231 200 219 280 312 56 121 263

Natural gas 3,014 635 274 258 296 232 466 398 65 100 290

Propane 167 34 16 14 8 14 10 33 5 Q 22

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 6,779 1,755 619 657 491 693 505 646 168 397 831

Buildings with cooling 6,771 1,677 656 665 493 699 511 650 169 401 838

Buildings with water heating 6,795 1,706 641 658 506 695 516 664 168 396 832

Buildings with cooking 4,078 897 390 364 357 340 516 528 94 171 420

Buildings with manufacturing 360 89 34 28 14 49 14 32 5 15 79

Buildings with electricity

generation 2,802 687 292 287 206 274 183 211 65 195 401

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 181 N 36 11 15 31 11 23 4 8 25

1 to 50 467 70 38 37 25 63 40 63 11 39 78

51 to 99 1,298 304 129 129 91 131 114 158 29 60 152

100 5,014 1,380 453 491 376 499 351 426 127 298 602

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 189 78 N 3 13 24 5 20 3 4 18

1 to 50 988 362 42 65 57 122 49 82 19 40 147

51 to 99 2,143 553 192 214 153 206 156 231 48 138 247

100 3,641 762 421 385 283 370 305 336 102 224 444

Percent lit when open

Zero 4 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

1 to 50 642 181 54 62 46 50 34 49 23 27 105

51 to 99 3,047 827 274 295 230 284 204 307 71 175 375

100 3,243 733 326 311 229 387 278 314 77 203 374

Building never open/electricity

not used 24 13 1 0 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 92

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 1,293 393 117 116 59 126 71 102 32 94 161

1 to 50 4,345 1,104 427 432 312 463 294 418 106 251 531

51 to 100 1,016 208 80 88 108 98 133 105 23 47 123

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 306 49 31 32 28 36 18 44 11 13 41

Electricity not used N N N N N N N N N N N

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 899 143 117 86 84 97 70 87 34 62 117

Furnaces 616 179 48 53 37 58 55 68 18 32 67

Individual space heaters 1,571 470 129 148 114 166 80 132 42 84 201

District heat 803 256 38 83 81 67 88 22 19 40 107

Boilers 2,262 740 217 210 198 197 106 123 52 137 279

Packaged heating units 4,081 925 411 419 260 431 345 492 91 222 478

Other 191 33 9 18 12 15 21 62 2 3 16

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 1,086 281 93 75 81 108 98 144 29 48 128

Heat pumps 939 154 115 93 85 104 66 96 34 66 123

Individual air conditioners 1,013 298 97 81 106 89 64 70 34 47 125

District chilled water 664 206 18 68 68 58 78 18 16 40 94

Central chillers 1,852 480 234 210 143 179 85 80 43 147 249

Packaged air conditioning units 3,970 956 403 415 265 404 320 451 85 202 463

Swamp coolers 175 45 14 14 16 16 21 23 3 6 17

Other 45 9 4 5 2 5 Q 1 0 Q 7

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 2,164 550 199 202 170 215 160 222 58 135 249

Cooling 2,520 650 252 235 204 243 182 232 68 158 292

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 4,208 1,108 377 391 334 415 346 387 111 231 499

Distributed system 832 192 82 83 43 105 46 75 19 55 130

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 1,754 405 182 184 129 175 124 201 38 111 203

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 3,539 877 353 336 287 340 321 344 86 184 403

Standard fluorescent 6,710 1,696 632 650 490 693 491 649 166 394 830

Compact fluorescent 5,093 1,264 496 507 407 493 426 451 129 305 610

High-intensity discharge (HID) 2,185 557 227 215 159 229 172 190 49 112 272

Halogen 2,694 636 275 271 206 266 240 272 64 138 323

LED 2,362 561 242 248 173 220 206 251 52 117 291

Other 58 16 9 5 4 4 4 6 1 2 6
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 93

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 6,468 1,599 610 623 485 646 516 670 159 365 788

Walk-in units 3,525 733 329 309 307 283 451 547 73 131 361

Cases or cabinets 3,315 697 291 307 273 282 399 523 70 126 346

Large cold storage areas 530 102 40 37 32 42 61 145 7 13 53

Commercial ice makers 3,730 788 370 357 334 326 416 457 91 172 418

Residential-type or compact units 5,180 1,382 499 513 387 537 332 413 131 324 657

Vending machines 4,176 1,033 418 429 336 439 273 379 102 243 524

No refrigeration 492 156 45 45 21 77 Q N 13 40 69

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 6,583 1,656 629 647 482 687 472 620 163 399 828

With flat screen monitors 6,520 1,643 624 641 477 678 465 614 162 398 817

With multiple monitors 2,941 744 296 321 195 298 215 212 69 233 358

Laptop computers 5,464 1,410 545 556 403 570 354 427 136 362 700

Dedicated servers 4,782 1,168 476 496 339 498 328 424 115 341 596

Laser printers 4,792 1,238 451 488 346 495 315 428 126 315 590

Inkjet printers 2,903 707 298 273 199 305 228 280 66 161 384

FAX machines 5,703 1,424 554 574 404 612 399 541 140 345 710

Photocopiers 5,107 1,341 509 528 357 540 305 387 132 344 665

Number of desktop computers

None 377 99 27 22 24 36 44 50 9 Q 29

1 to 4 1,184 270 82 82 104 106 162 189 30 22 135

5 to 9 738 192 60 62 43 77 55 106 20 27 95

10 to 19 675 173 58 69 41 79 31 79 17 41 87

20 to 49 1,120 269 118 118 86 130 52 117 29 55 146

50 to 99 646 166 69 73 44 77 36 45 16 41 80

100 to 249 960 248 82 99 75 101 Q 48 25 81 132

250 or more 1,261 339 160 144 89 116 67 35 27 132 152

Number of laptop computers

None 1,497 345 111 112 103 154 162 243 36 43 157

1 to 4 1,515 393 137 125 101 165 120 181 40 60 192

5 to 9 698 157 65 73 59 81 58 70 16 32 85

10 to 19 719 169 82 79 66 75 42 63 16 38 88

20 to 49 906 244 73 96 68 91 70 56 26 74 111

50 to 99 506 149 55 53 31 51 14 22 11 37 83

100 to 249 525 152 51 58 38 50 21 17 12 61 66

250 or more 595 147 83 72 40 57 29 18 15 60 74

Number of dedicated servers

None 2,178 587 180 172 167 225 188 245 57 64 261

1 to 4 2,717 656 246 266 205 295 191 309 68 136 345

5 to 9 565 138 54 60 40 59 47 55 12 35 67

10 to 19 593 139 66 74 29 63 Q 34 16 51 77

20 to 49 396 113 51 45 26 39 16 13 9 36 48

50 or more 512 122 59 52 39 42 32 14 10 83 60
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 94

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Number of photocopiers

None 1,853 414 147 141 150 184 212 282 40 62 191

One 1,201 325 103 102 87 127 81 142 31 49 154

2 to 4 1,596 428 156 167 102 178 68 137 45 105 210

5 to 9 783 187 76 84 50 92 56 58 17 66 97

10 or more 1,527 401 174 174 117 143 101 49 39 124 204

Number of TVs or video displays

None 1,213 348 89 97 53 145 72 139 14 73 152

One 697 207 54 59 40 74 51 84 13 32 83

2 to 4 1,310 352 123 125 64 146 85 136 27 67 186

5 to 9 777 178 79 80 45 78 64 91 17 58 87

10 to 19 809 185 81 91 57 84 76 76 16 54 89

20 to 49 716 153 81 86 50 80 43 73 21 46 84

50 to 99 431 105 39 43 44 43 18 29 19 38 52

100 or more 1,006 227 109 87 156 73 107 41 46 37 123

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 1,112 266 124 99 79 93 121 131 25 51 123

Fast food or small restaurant 1,206 217 120 122 92 113 141 201 29 43 127

Cafeteria or large restaurant 1,623 400 185 156 163 138 166 105 41 87 181

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 1,797 421 184 157 196 142 190 200 47 64 196

Small kitchen area 1,187 314 129 106 90 103 104 108 33 54 145

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 1,355 345 171 141 89 124 93 46 31 151 163

Computer-based training room 1,696 425 196 177 118 174 123 123 39 123 197

Student or public computer center 1,275 374 130 114 121 111 90 79 36 79 141

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 3,140 823 295 342 221 312 236 237 66 200 406

Regular HVAC maintenance 6,201 1,538 603 620 455 640 463 575 151 377 769

Building automation system (BAS)1 3,708 895 388 403 262 379 243 311 81 253 488
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 95

Total

Space

heatingCoolingVentilation

Water

heatingLightingCookingRefrigeration

Office

equipmentComputers Other

All buildings 6,960 1,755 656 668 506 723 516 670 172 405 857

Total major fuel consumption (trillion Btu)

Table E1. Major fuel consumption (Btu) by end use, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 5,248 1,345 476 516 382 524 404 515 131 307 634

Tinted window glass 3,971 936 411 408 290 416 305 364 95 240 501

Reflective window glass 1,652 368 174 174 121 163 147 154 41 118 191

External overhangs or awnings 3,087 702 283 296 232 295 317 380 74 158 345

Skylights or atriums 2,009 533 187 205 146 197 177 142 45 105 268

Light scheduling 2,930 668 299 318 194 284 235 327 67 183 351

Occupancy sensors 3,432 879 343 362 225 330 224 310 77 224 452

Multi-level lighting or dimming 1,618 360 156 161 141 132 186 182 39 72 188

Daylight harvesting 619 160 61 68 31 61 44 64 12 29 89

Demand responsive lighting 410 77 42 45 32 45 33 65 9 16 44

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 1,200 246 131 144 65 130 80 165 21 71 147

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 5,018 1,323 484 502 327 509 364 480 118 296 603

Cooling 5,005 1,267 516 507 336 510 367 475 119 297 602

Lighting 6,423 1,657 606 620 460 664 478 595 156 376 791

 1In earlier CBECS publications, BAS was referred to as Energy Management and Control System (EMCS).

 Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 20 buildings were sampled.

 N = No cases in reporting sample.

 Notes: ● Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. ● See the Guide to the 2012 CBECS Detailed Tables or CBECS Terminology for definitions of terms used 

in these tables and/or comparison of differences with prior CBECS tables. Both references can be accessed from 

http://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/ ● Site electricity is the amount of electricity delivered to commercial builidngs. Primary electricity, which is 

not included in the Total of major fuels category, is site electricity plus the conversion losses in the generation, transmission, and distribution processes. ● Statistics for 

the Energy end uses category represent total consumption in buildings that have the end use, not consumption specifically for that particular end use. ● HVAC = 

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics, Forms EIA-871A, C, D, E, and F of the 2012 Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 96

Release date: June 2015

Revised date: August 2016

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 5.4 5.2 5.6 1.1 2.9 2.6

5,001 to 10,000 8.0 8.2 10.4 0.8 3.5 2.9

10,001 to 25,000 6.9 6.9 11.2 1.0 8.5 2.7

25,001 to 50,000 8.1 8.0 9.8 1.1 6.3 2.5

50,001 to 100,000 7.8 7.7 8.4 1.2 4.3 2.6

100,001 to 200,000 7.0 7.2 11.5 1.4 8.5 3.4

200,001 to 500,000 6.8 6.5 7.3 1.4 4.6 2.9

Over 500,000 9.2 9.2 10.7 2.9 6.3 2.7

Principal building activity

Education 7.6 5.8 11.5 6.5 9.8 2.9

Food sales 11.4 12.8 13.5 13.1 7.9 3.0

Food service 6.6 7.6 9.1 3.7 5.6 3.0

Health care 10.8 7.3 8.1 10.0 3.5 4.2

Inpatient 16.9 8.2 8.6 13.9 2.9 0.0

Outpatient 11.3 11.2 12.3 10.5 6.9 4.3

Lodging 9.8 8.2 13.6 8.3 10.4 0.8

Mercantile 6.0 8.4 7.7 7.1 3.1 2.1

Retail (other than mall) 6.9 8.3 8.5 6.6 5.6 2.6

Enclosed and strip malls 11.1 11.9 11.9 8.9 3.7 3.3

Office 6.7 6.1 6.6 6.1 2.7 1.9

Public assembly 9.1 9.5 10.7 8.5 6.9 4.7

Public order and safety 17.5 13.7 20.2 14.7 13.2 8.5

Religious worship 7.3 8.8 9.0 6.6 7.5 7.4

Service 7.4 8.9 9.9 6.1 5.3 3.1

Warehouse and storage 12.8 11.7 17.4 8.5 8.3 5.3

Other 14.5 15.5 16.9 15.9 11.2 11.8

Vacant 11.5 13.3 20.1 9.0 15.3 12.2

Year constructed

Before 1920 10.5 11.2 11.0 9.0 9.7 4.7

1920 to 1945 6.7 7.6 9.6 6.9 7.1 4.5

1946 to 1959 7.7 8.1 9.1 5.8 5.1 3.1

1960 to 1969 7.9 6.6 8.0 5.8 6.6 3.4

1970 to 1979 7.5 7.0 9.1 5.5 6.9 3.4

1980 to 1989 8.3 6.5 7.7 5.1 4.0 3.3

1990 to 1999 6.2 5.1 9.4 5.3 9.5 3.2

2000 to 2003 9.3 7.8 8.4 9.4 6.5 4.8

2004 to 2007 13.3 15.5 15.8 7.9 5.9 5.1

2008 to 2012 15.4 17.3 17.4 10.7 6.4 4.4

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 97

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Census region and division

Northeast 9.0 6.2 7.5 7.4 5.7 3.3

New England 22.7 14.2 8.8 15.3 12.0 5.4

Middle Atlantic 7.0 6.7 9.1 6.7 6.2 4.0

Midwest 9.3 6.0 7.7 6.2 5.0 3.3

East North Central 12.1 6.9 10.1 9.3 6.8 4.9

West North Central 14.2 11.6 10.9 5.8 5.5 3.9

South 7.7 7.9 8.5 5.1 4.1 2.3

South Atlantic 9.5 12.3 13.9 7.1 5.8 2.5

East South Central 9.3 12.2 6.0 15.4 7.9 5.4

West South Central 17.4 13.1 11.9 7.4 6.7 5.4

West 16.0 14.4 14.6 7.8 6.6 4.3

Mountain 12.4 14.0 11.5 13.3 5.0 10.5

Pacific 21.4 18.8 18.4 9.5 8.6 4.6

Number of floors

One 6.3 7.3 8.8 4.0 4.0 2.1

Two 5.6 5.6 7.1 4.0 4.6 2.3

Three 8.3 6.3 8.8 7.3 5.9 3.6

Four to nine 9.4 7.4 7.9 6.5 4.4 3.9

Ten or more 11.1 9.6 11.4 5.3 5.8 4.5

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 5.7 4.4 5.5 3.9 3.3 2.1

Number of elevators

One 6.4 5.8 10.2 5.2 7.3 2.9

Two to five 8.4 7.0 7.8 4.7 5.3 3.2

Six or more 8.7 8.1 9.2 4.8 4.1 3.3

Any escalators 25.6 13.1 13.9 21.3 7.9 6.2

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 5.8 6.6 5.8 4.0 4.6 2.9

5 to 9 7.2 6.9 7.1 3.0 3.0 2.5

10 to 19 8.8 8.7 8.6 3.1 3.1 2.9

20 to 49 7.5 6.2 7.3 4.4 4.2 1.9

50 to 99 8.0 6.5 8.3 3.7 4.0 2.6

100 to 249 9.5 8.5 9.5 5.3 5.6 4.5

250 or more 7.6 6.6 7.8 5.4 5.0 4.2

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 7.2 8.4 8.5 4.6 7.2 3.0

40 to 48 7.5 7.4 9.2 4.6 6.0 0.2

49 to 60 6.7 6.4 6.8 3.9 4.0 0.3

61 to 84 6.8 5.8 5.3 5.8 4.4 0.4

85 to 167 7.9 8.6 8.3 7.3 5.3 0.8

Open continuously 8.1 5.5 8.2 6.3 5.5 0.0
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 98

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 5.3 4.2 4.8 3.1 2.8 1.7

Business owner or tenant 9.2 11.0 11.4 6.8 3.9 3.0

Property management 16.8 14.2 19.6 16.1 13.4 6.0

Other 16.9 15.6 20.7 16.0 14.3 10.7

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 5.2 4.3 4.8 3.2 2.8 1.7

Business owner or tenant 10.1 10.7 11.0 7.5 4.4 3.2

Property management 22.3 19.0 24.8 22.9 20.5 9.0

Other 13.6 14.6 15.0 11.0 8.8 7.0

Number of establishments

One 5.5 5.0 5.8 3.1 3.4 1.7

2 to 5 7.1 6.0 6.9 5.0 3.7 2.9

6 to 10 13.9 10.9 10.7 7.8 5.5 7.1

11 to 20 14.1 13.4 13.0 12.0 6.4 4.8

More than 20 26.0 8.8 10.4 26.2 6.4 6.1

Currently unoccupied 12.8 17.3 0.0 11.7

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 5.1 4.8 5.1 3.3 3.1 2.0

Concrete (block or poured) 6.9 6.3 8.4 5.1 4.8 2.2

Concrete panels 25.2 11.9 10.8 14.7 6.1 6.9

Siding or shingles 9.0 10.4 11.1 5.9 7.4 4.3

Metal panels 10.8 9.0 9.6 5.8 6.1 4.3

Window glass 18.8 13.2 15.1 17.0 7.9 24.4

Other 23.7 25.9 18.4 23.7 18.5 18.0

No one major type 23.0 21.3 57.7 22.6 132.5 17.8

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 7.8 7.1 7.7 5.0 4.4 2.8

Synthetic or rubber 6.0 5.9 6.8 4.3 3.4 2.3

Built-up 8.7 5.4 6.2 5.8 3.8 2.9

Slate or tile shingles 8.8 13.6 12.6 11.3 8.8 3.8

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 13.7 16.5 17.0 9.7 11.3 5.4

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 6.3 5.9 9.3 4.7 7.6 2.5

Concrete 18.2 13.6 14.8 16.4 13.2 7.6

Other 25.5 25.4 23.4 25.9 13.6 15.6

No one major type 29.8 26.9 32.0 25.4 27.3 10.0
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 99

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 7.2 5.0 5.6 4.2 3.2 1.9

Shallow pitch 6.7 6.8 6.9 4.7 3.3 2.8

Steeper pitch 6.7 6.2 7.3 3.9 5.7 2.4

Cool roof 7.4 6.3 8.3 5.3 4.4 3.2

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 4.7 3.8 4.6 3.5 3.0 1.9

Addition or annex 7.8 5.0 5.9 5.9 4.8 4.1

Reduction in floorspace 17.0 18.5 35.8 18.5 26.8 9.2

Roof replacement 5.5 4.4 6.3 4.7 4.5 3.2

Exterior wall replacement 9.0 7.8 8.3 8.0 5.4 4.6

Interior wall reconfiguration 6.1 4.5 5.3 4.7 3.2 2.6

Window replacement 5.9 5.1 6.0 5.2 5.1 3.9

HVAC equipment upgrade 4.9 3.7 5.4 4.2 3.8 2.2

Lighting upgrade 5.2 4.5 5.0 4.6 3.4 2.2

Electrical upgrade 6.0 5.4 6.3 5.5 4.1 2.9

Plumbing system upgrade 5.8 5.7 6.5 5.4 4.4 3.2

Insulation upgrade 8.0 6.7 7.0 6.6 5.0 4.2

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 6.3 4.9 5.5 5.5 3.8 2.9

Structural upgrade 10.0 8.9 11.3 9.7 7.2 6.5

Other 28.7 23.9 27.5 27.2 16.1 14.5

No renovations 6.2 5.8 6.7 3.8 3.9 2.3

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 15.4 17.3 17.4 10.7 6.4 4.4

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.3 4.7 5.1 3.1 2.5 1.5

Natural gas 5.3 4.8 5.3 3.2 3.0 1.8

Fuel oil 11.5 5.4 6.2 9.8 3.9 5.2

District heat 18.2 12.9 15.2 13.0 9.7 7.0

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 20.0 15.3 13.9 6.9

Propane 10.9 8.6 9.3 7.7 5.8 5.1

Wood 26.0 22.4 34.5 16.1 29.5 9.5

Coal 51.4 48.7 42.5 56.4 19.6 47.6

Solar 19.5 15.0 13.3 16.7 13.0 9.3

Other 19.4 16.5 20.2 13.2 12.0 8.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 100

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Space-heating energy sources 

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.8 5.1 6.1 3.7 3.3 1.4

Natural gas 5.7 5.3 5.7 3.4 3.2 1.9

Fuel oil 17.2 13.7 11.2 9.0 8.3 6.0

District heat 18.3 12.9 15.3 13.0 9.8 7.1

Propane 11.4 11.6 13.4 6.4 7.3 6.3

Wood 28.7 25.8 29.7 16.5 9.8 9.2

Coal 62.9 74.8 69.5 76.8 18.8 55.0

Solar 112.1 112.1 112.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Other 35.0 36.0 46.1 15.5 22.8 4.5

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 7.6 6.6 8.3 4.2 5.3 2.1

Natural gas 5.7 5.1 5.5 3.6 2.9 2.0

Fuel oil 19.9 20.8 14.4 9.3 10.9 7.4

District heat 18.3 13.1 15.5 13.3 9.8 7.1

Propane 11.7 12.1 14.6 7.5 9.8 6.1

Wood 39.7 43.3 48.1 10.2 10.6 7.0

Coal 76.0 84.9 73.9 125.6 32.9 67.7

Other 40.5 45.1 55.2 20.6 27.6 5.8

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.5 4.7 5.1 3.0 2.5 1.4

Natural gas 30.6 21.5 26.2 31.8 14.8 20.8

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 20.0 15.3 13.9 6.9

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.7 5.3 5.8 4.1 2.8 1.6

Natural gas 5.7 5.2 6.0 3.3 3.7 2.1

Fuel oil 25.4 15.8 12.5 18.0 7.0 9.3

District heat 21.5 15.6 18.4 13.1 11.6 6.4

Propane 12.3 11.6 12.2 11.8 9.5 6.9

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.2 4.5 5.2 4.5 2.9 2.5

Natural gas 5.7 4.7 6.5 4.2 3.7 3.1

Propane 19.0 11.9 16.4 13.5 11.9 7.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 101

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 5.0 4.5 5.0 3.1 2.6 1.4

Buildings with cooling 5.4 4.7 5.2 3.1 2.6 1.4

Buildings with water heating 5.1 4.6 5.1 3.0 2.5 1.4

Buildings with cooking 4.8 3.9 5.0 3.7 2.8 2.3

Buildings with manufacturing 13.8 11.3 13.6 9.7 7.6 3.2

Buildings with electricity

generation 6.9 4.8 5.5 6.4 3.8 4.0

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 9.4 9.9 15.4 7.4 9.6 5.7

1 to 50 12.0 11.3 14.4 6.5 5.9 3.4

51 to 99 6.9 5.5 7.2 5.3 4.6 2.6

100 4.5 4.4 5.2 3.4 3.2 1.5

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 8.8 9.2 11.0 6.2 11.1 5.5

1 to 50 10.5 8.8 11.2 5.4 4.2 2.2

51 to 99 6.4 5.0 5.8 4.6 3.3 2.6

100 4.6 5.2 5.9 3.7 3.8 1.6

Percent lit when open

Zero 23.0 23.1 32.7 13.4 25.3 9.6

1 to 50 7.5 7.8 10.8 5.1 6.2 3.6

51 to 99 6.3 5.0 5.6 4.4 2.7 2.0

100 5.0 4.8 5.7 3.3 3.5 1.8

Building never open/electricity

not used 10.0 10.5 40.6 8.3 51.6 8.7

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 6.6 6.9 8.2 3.4 4.8 2.4

1 to 50 5.0 4.6 5.0 3.3 2.8 1.4

51 to 100 10.0 8.3 13.5 10.4 9.5 3.8

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 16.8 11.2 16.0 14.2 13.9 0.0

Electricity not used 12.7 14.4 41.2 11.6 41.0 8.7

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 9.3 6.9 8.4 6.4 5.5 2.8

Furnaces 7.2 7.9 7.8 4.4 4.9 3.2

Individual space heaters 6.4 5.2 5.8 4.5 3.5 2.7

District heat 18.3 12.9 15.3 13.0 9.8 7.1

Boilers 6.5 4.2 5.8 5.4 3.8 3.0

Packaged heating units 5.4 5.5 6.2 3.3 3.2 1.7

Other 18.3 14.5 15.8 16.3 5.5 10.0
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 102

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 7.0 7.4 7.7 4.1 3.7 2.2

Heat pumps 8.8 6.9 8.3 5.6 5.1 2.2

Individual air conditioners 7.3 5.4 7.1 5.6 4.7 3.3

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 20.0 15.3 13.9 6.9

Central chillers 7.1 4.5 6.1 5.8 3.8 3.6

Packaged air conditioning units 6.3 5.0 5.6 3.6 3.3 1.9

Swamp coolers 16.6 15.0 13.5 15.9 7.4 6.6

Other 51.6 27.3 30.5 72.1 24.1 36.0

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 4.8 4.3 5.2 3.0 3.6 1.9

Cooling 4.9 4.1 4.8 3.1 2.9 1.8

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 5.0 4.8 5.5 3.0 2.8 1.5

Distributed system 8.0 7.4 7.9 5.5 4.3 2.5

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 7.4 5.3 6.8 4.9 5.7 3.0

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 4.6 4.2 5.0 4.2 3.1 2.0

Standard fluorescent 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.1 2.6 1.4

Compact fluorescent 5.6 4.3 4.8 3.7 2.6 1.9

High-intensity discharge (HID) 7.4 5.1 6.1 5.5 4.2 2.9

Halogen 5.5 5.0 5.6 4.5 3.2 2.2

LED 7.4 5.2 5.9 5.2 3.6 3.6

Other 31.8 19.6 19.3 29.5 12.6 7.0

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 5.1 4.2 4.6 3.3 2.2 1.3

Walk-in units 4.8 4.2 5.4 4.1 3.3 1.7

Cases or cabinets 4.7 4.8 5.6 4.5 3.1 1.8

Large cold storage areas 10.9 10.3 10.7 12.6 7.2 5.4

Commercial ice makers 5.5 4.4 5.5 4.4 3.1 2.4

Residential-type or compact units 5.6 4.6 4.8 3.8 2.4 1.5

Vending machines 5.7 4.6 5.0 3.7 2.7 2.3

No refrigeration 7.2 8.8 15.1 5.3 13.3 4.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 103

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 5.6 4.7 5.2 3.1 2.6 1.4

With flat screen monitors 5.8 4.7 5.2 3.2 2.6 1.4

With multiple monitors 7.4 5.3 5.8 4.9 2.8 2.2

Laptop computers 5.9 4.6 5.1 3.7 2.8 1.5

Dedicated servers 6.8 4.9 5.1 4.3 2.5 1.7

Laser printers 5.7 4.8 5.4 3.6 3.1 1.5

Inkjet printers 6.7 5.6 6.9 3.4 3.1 1.8

FAX machines 5.8 4.6 5.0 3.3 2.3 1.3

Photocopiers 6.4 4.6 5.1 3.9 2.9 1.6

Number of desktop computers

None 7.4 8.1 10.1 5.1 8.9 4.2

1 to 4 5.2 5.7 6.5 3.6 4.9 2.2

5 to 9 8.5 8.5 14.0 4.0 12.9 2.4

10 to 19 8.8 8.6 9.1 4.3 3.7 2.2

20 to 49 8.4 7.4 9.5 5.1 4.4 2.9

50 to 99 8.8 8.0 9.8 5.4 5.5 4.5

100 to 249 8.0 7.0 10.2 5.4 6.9 3.7

250 or more 7.4 6.5 7.1 4.7 3.7 3.5

Number of laptop computers

None 5.8 5.9 7.2 3.9 3.2 2.5

1 to 4 6.2 6.0 6.8 2.8 3.6 1.8

5 to 9 8.9 8.7 12.6 7.3 8.5 3.0

10 to 19 8.8 8.7 10.0 5.7 4.9 3.7

20 to 49 8.9 7.5 8.9 6.0 6.0 3.7

50 to 99 10.5 8.4 13.8 7.9 13.4 7.0

100 to 249 10.8 8.7 8.4 8.3 6.7 6.8

250 or more 12.6 9.0 9.8 8.5 4.5 5.7

Number of dedicated servers

None 5.6 5.6 7.8 3.1 5.4 2.2

1 to 4 7.0 5.9 6.8 4.2 3.2 1.7

5 to 9 9.8 8.5 9.0 7.4 5.3 5.7

10 to 19 14.1 9.3 9.0 12.4 7.3 8.4

20 to 49 15.5 8.9 10.8 14.3 6.7 7.2

50 or more 15.0 12.3 11.4 11.7 6.7 7.3

Number of photocopiers

None 5.6 5.8 6.7 3.6 3.3 2.2

One 7.2 7.8 8.3 4.0 4.1 2.2

2 to 4 7.0 5.6 8.1 4.3 5.3 2.3

5 to 9 8.3 6.8 10.5 6.7 6.3 4.5

10 or more 9.5 6.6 6.6 8.4 3.8 4.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 104

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Number of TVs or video displays

None 6.1 6.7 9.6 3.7 6.7 2.9

One 6.5 6.5 7.5 4.8 5.5 2.5

2 to 4 6.5 6.0 6.8 4.4 3.8 2.5

5 to 9 7.9 7.6 8.8 5.7 5.0 3.6

10 to 19 10.0 8.2 12.1 7.3 8.3 5.0

20 to 49 9.8 7.8 9.1 7.0 5.4 5.1

50 to 99 13.7 13.9 14.2 9.1 7.9 4.3

100 or more 11.3 8.0 10.0 8.7 6.8 1.8

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 8.9 6.6 8.3 8.7 5.5 4.6

Fast food or small restaurant 8.1 7.1 6.6 7.2 4.7 3.5

Cafeteria or large restaurant 6.6 5.2 7.7 4.9 5.1 3.2

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 7.1 5.4 8.2 5.3 5.2 3.8

Small kitchen area 6.4 5.4 6.2 5.3 4.4 4.4

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 9.6 6.5 6.4 8.4 4.1 6.5

Computer-based training room 6.8 5.7 5.8 5.3 3.8 3.3

Student or public computer center 7.2 5.9 7.0 5.9 4.1 2.9

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 6.2 5.0 6.1 4.2 3.3 2.4

Regular HVAC maintenance 5.3 4.7 5.1 3.1 2.6 1.4

Building automation system (BAS)2 7.3 4.9 5.3 5.2 2.8 2.6

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 5.1 4.7 4.8 3.2 2.4 1.6

Tinted window glass 7.8 6.1 6.2 4.2 3.2 1.9

Reflective window glass 8.3 6.5 6.3 6.5 3.3 3.0

External overhangs or awnings 5.3 5.2 6.0 3.7 3.3 1.9

Skylights or atriums 10.1 6.2 7.2 6.6 4.8 2.9

Light scheduling 6.2 5.4 6.4 5.1 4.3 3.1

Occupancy sensors 8.5 5.0 5.2 5.4 3.2 2.5

Multi-level lighting or dimming 5.9 5.7 6.7 5.5 3.5 3.4

Daylight harvesting 11.3 8.2 10.6 12.1 7.8 5.8

Demand responsive lighting 19.9 16.1 15.5 11.9 7.0 6.2

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 9.9 7.5 7.6 7.9 4.8 3.8
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 105

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings 

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for total

workers

RSEs for 

mean 

square feet

per building

RSEs for 

mean square 

feet per 

worker

RSEs for 

mean 

operating 

hours per 

week

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 3.2 2.5 1.6

RSEs for Table B1. Summary table: total and means of floorspace, number of workers, and hours of 

operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 5.4 4.8 5.2 3.4 2.6 1.6

Cooling 5.7 4.9 5.4 3.6 2.5 1.6

Lighting 5.4 4.7 5.1 3.1 2.6 1.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 106

Release date: June 2015

Revised date: August 2016

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 5.4 5.2 5.6 P P P P

5,001 to 10,000 8.0 8.2 10.4 P P P P

10,001 to 25,000 6.9 6.9 11.2 P P P P

25,001 to 50,000 8.1 8.0 9.8 P P P P

50,001 to 100,000 7.8 7.7 8.4 P P P P

100,001 to 200,000 7.0 7.2 11.5 P P P P

200,001 to 500,000 6.8 6.5 7.3 P P P P

Over 500,000 9.2 9.2 10.7 P P P P

Principal building activity

Education 7.6 5.8 11.5 P P P P

Food sales 11.4 12.8 13.5 P P P P

Food service 6.6 7.6 9.1 P P P P

Health care 10.8 7.3 8.1 P P P P

Inpatient 16.9 8.2 8.6 P P P P

Outpatient 11.3 11.2 12.3 P P P P

Lodging 9.8 8.2 13.6 P P P P

Mercantile 6.0 8.4 7.7 P P P P

Retail (other than mall) 6.9 8.3 8.5 P P P P

Enclosed and strip malls 11.1 11.9 11.9 P P P P

Office 6.7 6.1 6.6 P P P P

Public assembly 9.1 9.5 10.7 P P P P

Public order and safety 17.5 13.7 20.2 P P P P

Religious worship 7.3 8.8 9.0 P P P P

Service 7.4 8.9 9.9 P P P P

Warehouse and storage 12.8 11.7 17.4 P P P P

Other 14.5 15.5 16.9 P P P P

Vacant 11.5 13.3 20.1 P P P P

Year constructed

Before 1920 10.5 11.2 11.0 P P P P

1920 to 1945 6.7 7.6 9.6 P P P P

1946 to 1959 7.7 8.1 9.1 P P P P

1960 to 1969 7.9 6.6 8.0 P P P P

1970 to 1979 7.5 7.0 9.1 P P P P

1980 to 1989 8.3 6.5 7.7 P P P P

1990 to 1999 6.2 5.1 9.4 P P P P

2000 to 2003 9.3 7.8 8.4 P P P P

2004 to 2007 13.3 15.5 15.8 P P P P

2008 to 2012 15.4 17.3 17.4 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 107

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Census region and division

Northeast 9.0 6.2 7.5 P P P P

New England 22.7 14.2 8.8 P P P P

Middle Atlantic 7.0 6.7 9.1 P P P P

Midwest 9.3 6.0 7.7 P P P P

East North Central 12.1 6.9 10.1 P P P P

West North Central 14.2 11.6 10.9 P P P P

South 7.7 7.9 8.5 P P P P

South Atlantic 9.5 12.3 13.9 P P P P

East South Central 9.3 12.2 6.0 P P P P

West South Central 17.4 13.1 11.9 P P P P

West 16.0 14.4 14.6 P P P P

Mountain 12.4 14.0 11.5 P P P P

Pacific 21.4 18.8 18.4 P P P P

Number of floors

One 6.3 7.3 8.8 P P P P

Two 5.6 5.6 7.1 P P P P

Three 8.3 6.3 8.8 P P P P

Four to nine 9.4 7.4 7.9 P P P P

Ten or more 11.1 9.6 11.4 P P P P

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 5.7 4.4 5.5 P P P P

Number of elevators

One 6.4 5.8 10.2 P P P P

Two to five 8.4 7.0 7.8 P P P P

Six or more 8.7 8.1 9.2 P P P P

Any escalators 25.6 13.1 13.9 P P P P

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 5.8 6.6 5.8 P P P P

5 to 9 7.2 6.9 7.1 P P P P

10 to 19 8.8 8.7 8.6 P P P P

20 to 49 7.5 6.2 7.3 P P P P

50 to 99 8.0 6.5 8.3 P P P P

100 to 249 9.5 8.5 9.5 P P P P

250 or more 7.6 6.6 7.8 P P P P

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 7.2 8.4 8.5 P P P P

40 to 48 7.5 7.4 9.2 P P P P

49 to 60 6.7 6.4 6.8 P P P P

61 to 84 6.8 5.8 5.3 P P P P

85 to 167 7.9 8.6 8.3 P P P P

Open continuously 8.1 5.5 8.2 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 108

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 5.3 4.2 4.8 P P P P

Business owner or tenant 9.2 11.0 11.4 P P P P

Property management 16.8 14.2 19.6 P P P P

Other 16.9 15.6 20.7 P P P P

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 5.2 4.3 4.8 P P P P

Business owner or tenant 10.1 10.7 11.0 P P P P

Property management 22.3 19.0 24.8 P P P P

Other 13.6 14.6 15.0 P P P P

Number of establishments

One 5.5 5.0 5.8 P P P P

2 to 5 7.1 6.0 6.9 P P P P

6 to 10 13.9 10.9 10.7 P P P P

11 to 20 14.1 13.4 13.0 P P P P

More than 20 26.0 8.8 10.4 P P P P

Currently unoccupied 12.8 17.3 0.0 P P P P

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 5.1 4.8 5.1 P P P P

Concrete (block or poured) 6.9 6.3 8.4 P P P P

Concrete panels 25.2 11.9 10.8 P P P P

Siding or shingles 9.0 10.4 11.1 P P P P

Metal panels 10.8 9.0 9.6 P P P P

Window glass 18.8 13.2 15.1 P P P P

Other 23.7 25.9 18.4 P P P P

No one major type 23.0 21.3 57.7 P P P P

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 7.8 7.1 7.7 P P P P

Synthetic or rubber 6.0 5.9 6.8 P P P P

Built-up 8.7 5.4 6.2 P P P P

Slate or tile shingles 8.8 13.6 12.6 P P P P

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 13.7 16.5 17.0 P P P P

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 6.3 5.9 9.3 P P P P

Concrete 18.2 13.6 14.8 P P P P

Other 25.5 25.4 23.4 P P P P

No one major type 29.8 26.9 32.0 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 109

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 7.2 5.0 5.6 P P P P

Shallow pitch 6.7 6.8 6.9 P P P P

Steeper pitch 6.7 6.2 7.3 P P P P

Cool roof 7.4 6.3 8.3 P P P P

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 4.7 3.8 4.6 P P P P

Addition or annex 7.8 5.0 5.9 P P P P

Reduction in floorspace 17.0 18.5 35.8 P P P P

Roof replacement 5.5 4.4 6.3 P P P P

Exterior wall replacement 9.0 7.8 8.3 P P P P

Interior wall reconfiguration 6.1 4.5 5.3 P P P P

Window replacement 5.9 5.1 6.0 P P P P

HVAC equipment upgrade 4.9 3.7 5.4 P P P P

Lighting upgrade 5.2 4.5 5.0 P P P P

Electrical upgrade 6.0 5.4 6.3 P P P P

Plumbing system upgrade 5.8 5.7 6.5 P P P P

Insulation upgrade 8.0 6.7 7.0 P P P P

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 6.3 4.9 5.5 P P P P

Structural upgrade 10.0 8.9 11.3 P P P P

Other 28.7 23.9 27.5 P P P P

No renovations 6.2 5.8 6.7 P P P P

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 15.4 17.3 17.4 P P P P

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.3 4.7 5.1 P P P P

Natural gas 5.3 4.8 5.3 P P P P

Fuel oil 11.5 5.4 6.2 P P P P

District heat 18.2 12.9 15.2 P P P P

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 20.0 P P P P

Propane 10.9 8.6 9.3 P P P P

Wood 26.0 22.4 34.5 P P P P

Coal 51.4 48.7 42.5 P P P P

Solar 19.5 15.0 13.3 P P P P

Other 19.4 16.5 20.2 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 110

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Space-heating energy sources 

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.8 5.1 6.1 P P P P

Natural gas 5.7 5.3 5.7 P P P P

Fuel oil 17.2 13.7 11.2 P P P P

District heat 18.3 12.9 15.3 P P P P

Propane 11.4 11.6 13.4 P P P P

Wood 28.7 25.8 29.7 P P P P

Coal 62.9 74.8 69.5 P P P P

Solar 112.1 112.1 112.1 P P P P

Other 35.0 36.0 46.1 P P P P

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 7.6 6.6 8.3 P P P P

Natural gas 5.7 5.1 5.5 P P P P

Fuel oil 19.9 20.8 14.4 P P P P

District heat 18.3 13.1 15.5 P P P P

Propane 11.7 12.1 14.6 P P P P

Wood 39.7 43.3 48.1 P P P P

Coal 76.0 84.9 73.9 P P P P

Other 40.5 45.1 55.2 P P P P

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.5 4.7 5.1 P P P P

Natural gas 30.6 21.5 26.2 P P P P

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 20.0 P P P P

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.7 5.3 5.8 P P P P

Natural gas 5.7 5.2 6.0 P P P P

Fuel oil 25.4 15.8 12.5 P P P P

District heat 21.5 15.6 18.4 P P P P

Propane 12.3 11.6 12.2 P P P P

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.2 4.5 5.2 P P P P

Natural gas 5.7 4.7 6.5 P P P P

Propane 19.0 11.9 16.4 P P P P

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 5.0 4.5 5.0 P P P P

Buildings with cooling 5.4 4.7 5.2 P P P P

Buildings with water heating 5.1 4.6 5.1 P P P P

Buildings with cooking 4.8 3.9 5.0 P P P P

Buildings with manufacturing 13.8 11.3 13.6 P P P P

Buildings with electricity

generation 6.9 4.8 5.5 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 111

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 9.4 9.9 15.4 P P P P

1 to 50 12.0 11.3 14.4 P P P P

51 to 99 6.9 5.5 7.2 P P P P

100 4.5 4.4 5.2 P P P P

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 8.8 9.2 11.0 P P P P

1 to 50 10.5 8.8 11.2 P P P P

51 to 99 6.4 5.0 5.8 P P P P

100 4.6 5.2 5.9 P P P P

Percent lit when open

Zero 23.0 23.1 32.7 P P P P

1 to 50 7.5 7.8 10.8 P P P P

51 to 99 6.3 5.0 5.6 P P P P

100 5.0 4.8 5.7 P P P P

Building never open/electricity

not used 10.0 10.5 40.6 P P P P

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 6.6 6.9 8.2 P P P P

1 to 50 5.0 4.6 5.0 P P P P

51 to 100 10.0 8.3 13.5 P P P P

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 16.8 11.2 16.0 P P P P

Electricity not used 12.7 14.4 41.2 P P P P

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 9.3 6.9 8.4 P P P P

Furnaces 7.2 7.9 7.8 P P P P

Individual space heaters 6.4 5.2 5.8 P P P P

District heat 18.3 12.9 15.3 P P P P

Boilers 6.5 4.2 5.8 P P P P

Packaged heating units 5.4 5.5 6.2 P P P P

Other 18.3 14.5 15.8 P P P P

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 7.0 7.4 7.7 P P P P

Heat pumps 8.8 6.9 8.3 P P P P

Individual air conditioners 7.3 5.4 7.1 P P P P

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 20.0 P P P P

Central chillers 7.1 4.5 6.1 P P P P

Packaged air conditioning units 6.3 5.0 5.6 P P P P

Swamp coolers 16.6 15.0 13.5 P P P P

Other 51.6 27.3 30.5 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 112

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 4.8 4.3 5.2 P P P P

Cooling 4.9 4.1 4.8 P P P P

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 5.0 4.8 5.5 P P P P

Distributed system 8.0 7.4 7.9 P P P P

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 7.4 5.3 6.8 P P P P

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 4.6 4.2 5.0 P P P P

Standard fluorescent 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

Compact fluorescent 5.6 4.3 4.8 P P P P

High-intensity discharge (HID) 7.4 5.1 6.1 P P P P

Halogen 5.5 5.0 5.6 P P P P

LED 7.4 5.2 5.9 P P P P

Other 31.8 19.6 19.3 P P P P

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 5.1 4.2 4.6 P P P P

Walk-in units 4.8 4.2 5.4 P P P P

Cases or cabinets 4.7 4.8 5.6 P P P P

Large cold storage areas 10.9 10.3 10.7 P P P P

Commercial ice makers 5.5 4.4 5.5 P P P P

Residential-type or compact units 5.6 4.6 4.8 P P P P

Vending machines 5.7 4.6 5.0 P P P P

No refrigeration 7.2 8.8 15.1 P P P P

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 5.6 4.7 5.2 P P P P

With flat screen monitors 5.8 4.7 5.2 P P P P

With multiple monitors 7.4 5.3 5.8 P P P P

Laptop computers 5.9 4.6 5.1 P P P P

Dedicated servers 6.8 4.9 5.1 P P P P

Laser printers 5.7 4.8 5.4 P P P P

Inkjet printers 6.7 5.6 6.9 P P P P

FAX machines 5.8 4.6 5.0 P P P P

Photocopiers 6.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 113

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Number of desktop computers

None 7.4 8.1 10.1 P P P P

1 to 4 5.2 5.7 6.5 P P P P

5 to 9 8.5 8.5 14.0 P P P P

10 to 19 8.8 8.6 9.1 P P P P

20 to 49 8.4 7.4 9.5 P P P P

50 to 99 8.8 8.0 9.8 P P P P

100 to 249 8.0 7.0 10.2 P P P P

250 or more 7.4 6.5 7.1 P P P P

Number of laptop computers

None 5.8 5.9 7.2 P P P P

1 to 4 6.2 6.0 6.8 P P P P

5 to 9 8.9 8.7 12.6 P P P P

10 to 19 8.8 8.7 10.0 P P P P

20 to 49 8.9 7.5 8.9 P P P P

50 to 99 10.5 8.4 13.8 P P P P

100 to 249 10.8 8.7 8.4 P P P P

250 or more 12.6 9.0 9.8 P P P P

Number of dedicated servers

None 5.6 5.6 7.8 P P P P

1 to 4 7.0 5.9 6.8 P P P P

5 to 9 9.8 8.5 9.0 P P P P

10 to 19 14.1 9.3 9.0 P P P P

20 to 49 15.5 8.9 10.8 P P P P

50 or more 15.0 12.3 11.4 P P P P

Number of photocopiers

None 5.6 5.8 6.7 P P P P

One 7.2 7.8 8.3 P P P P

2 to 4 7.0 5.6 8.1 P P P P

5 to 9 8.3 6.8 10.5 P P P P

10 or more 9.5 6.6 6.6 P P P P

Number of TVs or video displays

None 6.1 6.7 9.6 P P P P

One 6.5 6.5 7.5 P P P P

2 to 4 6.5 6.0 6.8 P P P P

5 to 9 7.9 7.6 8.8 P P P P

10 to 19 10.0 8.2 12.1 P P P P

20 to 49 9.8 7.8 9.1 P P P P

50 to 99 13.7 13.9 14.2 P P P P

100 or more 11.3 8.0 10.0 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 114

RSEs for 

number of 

buildings

RSEs for total

floorspace

RSEs for 

total

workers

RSEs not 

available for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

RSEs not 

available 

for 

medians

All buildings 5.4 4.6 5.1 P P P P

RSEs for Table B2. Summary table: total and medians of floorspace, number of workers, and 

hours of operation, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 8.9 6.6 8.3 P P P P

Fast food or small restaurant 8.1 7.1 6.6 P P P P

Cafeteria or large restaurant 6.6 5.2 7.7 P P P P

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 7.1 5.4 8.2 P P P P

Small kitchen area 6.4 5.4 6.2 P P P P

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 9.6 6.5 6.4 P P P P

Computer-based training room 6.8 5.7 5.8 P P P P

Student or public computer center 7.2 5.9 7.0 P P P P

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 6.2 5.0 6.1 P P P P

Regular HVAC maintenance 5.3 4.7 5.1 P P P P

Building automation system (BAS)2 7.3 4.9 5.3 P P P P

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 5.1 4.7 4.8 P P P P

Tinted window glass 7.8 6.1 6.2 P P P P

Reflective window glass 8.3 6.5 6.3 P P P P

External overhangs or awnings 5.3 5.2 6.0 P P P P

Skylights or atriums 10.1 6.2 7.2 P P P P

Light scheduling 6.2 5.4 6.4 P P P P

Occupancy sensors 8.5 5.0 5.2 P P P P

Multi-level lighting or dimming 5.9 5.7 6.7 P P P P

Daylight harvesting 11.3 8.2 10.6 P P P P

Demand responsive lighting 19.9 16.1 15.5 P P P P

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 9.9 7.5 7.6 P P P P

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 5.4 4.8 5.2 P P P P

Cooling 5.7 4.9 5.4 P P P P

Lighting 5.4 4.7 5.1 P P P P
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 115

Release date: June 2015

Revised date: August 2016

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 5.4 13.9 11.0 8.2 12.7 5.2 13.0 11.6 7.9 11.8

5,001 to 10,000 8.0 7.5 12.0 9.5 25.7 8.2 7.9 11.4 9.8 26.4

10,001 to 25,000 6.9 9.5 11.9 11.1 19.0 6.9 9.5 11.4 10.8 19.0

25,001 to 50,000 8.1 14.0 9.4 15.3 21.0 8.0 14.9 9.6 15.6 18.8

50,001 to 100,000 7.8 12.2 13.1 13.8 16.2 7.7 13.1 13.2 13.7 15.6

100,001 to 200,000 7.0 15.8 13.2 11.4 16.9 7.2 17.1 11.6 11.7 18.0

200,001 to 500,000 6.8 13.4 13.4 11.7 18.2 6.5 12.8 12.4 11.4 17.2

Over 500,000 9.2 11.6 15.5 20.3 15.5 9.2 9.4 19.5 19.0 18.7

Principal building activity

Education 7.6 15.3 9.1 10.3 19.9 5.8 10.5 7.6 11.2 18.4

Food sales 11.4 23.3 28.5 16.0 28.8 12.8 24.1 31.5 14.6 32.0

Food service 6.6 15.4 15.5 10.9 11.3 7.6 16.5 17.8 11.6 17.4

Health care 10.8 24.1 23.2 17.4 23.7 7.3 15.8 11.4 11.6 21.7

Inpatient 16.9 27.0 34.3 30.5 33.4 8.2 16.4 11.0 11.1 27.6

Outpatient 11.3 26.9 23.6 18.4 24.0 11.2 23.2 21.7 22.3 18.1

Lodging 9.8 23.7 23.9 14.7 21.9 8.2 14.2 18.0 15.1 17.8

Mercantile 6.0 12.9 14.7 8.2 16.5 8.4 14.2 12.3 16.1 16.6

Retail (other than mall) 6.9 15.0 15.8 10.0 18.2 8.3 16.9 14.0 14.4 19.2

Enclosed and strip malls 11.1 21.6 26.2 16.7 26.0 11.9 17.6 17.6 23.0 20.0

Office 6.7 12.6 8.6 10.6 19.1 6.1 10.4 12.9 11.7 12.7

Public assembly 9.1 25.5 16.9 14.2 18.4 9.5 15.1 18.5 17.9 18.2

Public order and safety 17.5 35.9 36.3 23.0 66.4 13.7 30.6 22.5 21.8 45.2

Religious worship 7.3 24.4 16.1 9.8 17.6 8.8 23.7 14.8 14.2 18.8

Service 7.4 14.8 12.3 11.6 25.4 8.9 21.1 13.4 14.5 31.3

Warehouse and storage 12.8 11.2 15.3 18.7 34.6 11.7 16.4 13.8 17.2 30.9

Other 14.5 37.6 23.3 24.8 29.7 15.5 28.6 29.4 29.1 27.3

Vacant 11.5 24.0 20.3 20.0 15.6 13.3 21.2 20.6 23.8 16.5

Year constructed

Before 1920 10.5 23.1 19.8 15.6 25.2 11.2 21.6 13.8 23.3 25.9

1920 to 1945 6.7 14.6 9.3 11.9 20.5 7.6 11.2 14.4 17.1 20.3

1946 to 1959 7.7 11.4 12.4 16.8 10.6 8.1 14.3 12.5 18.2 11.8

1960 to 1969 7.9 13.2 16.6 10.9 22.0 6.6 13.6 11.7 12.0 16.9

1970 to 1979 7.5 17.9 12.5 10.2 20.6 7.0 14.0 9.0 9.4 22.2

1980 to 1989 8.3 16.6 12.8 8.8 26.2 6.5 10.5 12.8 7.8 18.6

1990 to 1999 6.2 13.9 14.8 9.2 13.2 5.1 11.3 13.0 7.8 11.7

2000 to 2003 9.3 28.5 21.7 9.1 26.3 7.8 17.6 14.9 12.9 16.2

2004 to 2007 13.3 24.4 21.0 19.4 32.2 15.5 18.4 20.1 21.5 39.1

2008 to 2012 15.4 36.2 25.3 26.4 26.3 17.3 21.5 22.5 32.2 33.9

Number of floors

One 6.3 12.0 10.2 9.2 16.7 7.3 11.3 9.8 10.4 19.6

Two 5.6 10.1 10.6 8.1 16.2 5.6 13.0 7.5 10.2 14.0

Three 8.3 12.8 17.6 12.9 23.0 6.3 10.4 11.3 13.7 16.6

Four to nine 9.4 13.6 13.1 20.3 22.8 7.4 10.7 9.2 16.4 18.6

Ten or more 11.1 18.2 26.0 21.2 23.1 9.6 10.9 19.1 21.9 23.8

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 116

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 5.7 9.4 10.9 10.1 16.1 4.4 8.2 7.1 9.4 11.3

Number of elevators

One 6.4 12.1 12.8 11.0 16.8 5.8 13.7 10.2 11.4 11.3

Two to five 8.4 15.9 14.2 14.0 24.0 7.0 14.2 11.5 13.0 17.4

Six or more 8.7 17.5 11.2 15.8 21.2 8.1 10.6 15.0 17.6 18.1

Any escalators 25.6 41.8 70.3 14.7 25.5 13.1 21.6 34.2 18.7 26.9

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 5.8 12.5 12.8 9.5 12.6 6.6 16.1 11.5 11.2 14.9

5 to 9 7.2 16.0 12.1 8.6 21.9 6.9 13.2 12.3 7.4 21.4

10 to 19 8.8 9.4 14.8 11.1 25.3 8.7 11.2 14.2 11.9 24.2

20 to 49 7.5 13.5 9.4 11.1 19.9 6.2 12.8 7.3 9.6 17.0

50 to 99 8.0 9.9 12.3 14.7 16.7 6.5 10.1 10.5 11.2 18.0

100 to 249 9.5 12.7 13.9 19.5 23.3 8.5 11.5 11.8 18.9 15.7

250 or more 7.6 18.1 18.0 12.3 12.9 6.6 9.8 13.2 14.9 13.8

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 7.2 17.8 15.6 11.8 13.7 8.4 15.3 11.1 16.4 16.8

40 to 48 7.5 14.7 10.2 10.1 22.1 7.4 16.1 8.6 11.9 18.9

49 to 60 6.7 8.8 9.6 9.6 20.8 6.4 7.7 10.8 10.5 18.7

61 to 84 6.8 11.5 15.2 9.8 16.4 5.8 9.8 12.0 9.2 15.4

85 to 167 7.9 16.0 11.5 13.1 21.5 8.6 18.7 12.9 13.1 26.4

Open continuously 8.1 20.4 18.1 11.3 21.3 5.5 11.5 10.2 9.4 14.6

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 5.3 10.4 9.3 8.0 14.9 4.2 6.9 6.0 7.4 12.6

Business owner or tenant 9.2 14.0 18.9 11.8 25.9 11.0 11.1 13.1 19.0 25.8

Property management 16.8 40.5 47.1 23.7 34.7 14.2 31.8 37.3 20.6 34.0

Other 16.9 20.3 38.2 29.3 30.2 15.6 25.0 35.4 28.3 25.9

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 5.2 10.1 9.2 7.9 14.5 4.3 6.6 6.2 7.4 12.9

Business owner or tenant 10.1 18.6 19.9 11.2 30.3 10.7 11.6 14.2 17.7 26.5

Property management 22.3 44.5 46.6 34.1 56.5 19.0 45.1 41.7 24.3 49.1

Other 13.6 20.0 33.5 21.4 36.2 14.6 20.1 34.7 24.0 34.4

Number of establishments

One 5.5 11.4 9.5 8.1 15.9 5.0 9.1 7.3 8.2 16.0

2 to 5 7.1 12.9 13.6 10.5 20.2 6.0 8.0 10.4 11.3 14.8

6 to 10 13.9 24.7 24.8 20.3 32.7 10.9 16.7 21.1 19.6 24.5

11 to 20 14.1 23.4 28.8 23.8 25.1 13.4 21.9 20.6 27.1 20.0

More than 20 26.0 23.3 37.3 21.0 46.7 8.8 16.4 23.7 16.5 14.9

Currently unoccupied 12.8 29.1 24.5 21.3 18.9 17.3 22.2 27.2 29.4 21.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 117

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 5.1 8.2 8.9 8.1 14.0 4.8 8.2 5.6 9.2 13.5

Concrete (block or poured) 6.9 10.8 12.4 7.1 25.4 6.3 11.7 9.7 9.8 17.3

Concrete panels 25.2 27.2 19.1 18.7 48.2 11.9 20.2 15.0 15.9 28.3

Siding or shingles 9.0 22.0 15.9 8.8 21.9 10.4 21.6 22.9 10.9 24.2

Metal panels 10.8 21.3 17.3 19.4 11.0 9.0 15.1 14.9 16.0 15.0

Window glass 18.8 42.0 75.2 41.8 24.4 13.2 24.5 29.7 24.7 28.2

Other 23.7 95.4 40.9 30.3 55.5 25.9 68.0 36.9 41.6 41.6

No one major type 23.0 50.8 38.3 38.4 54.0 21.3 32.8 43.8 39.0 51.2

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 7.8 24.7 13.2 12.4 16.6 7.1 17.3 11.6 10.9 18.0

Synthetic or rubber 6.0 8.2 9.2 13.4 16.3 5.9 8.7 8.6 14.3 14.9

Built-up 8.7 13.7 11.0 10.0 23.4 5.4 10.9 9.2 7.8 15.0

Slate or tile shingles 8.8 17.2 20.1 16.0 14.6 13.6 19.9 21.8 28.3 15.0

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 13.7 18.7 26.5 20.4 34.6 16.5 37.0 34.4 20.1 32.8

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 6.3 11.2 15.0 5.6 19.1 5.9 9.1 12.7 8.2 17.3

Concrete 18.2 48.4 62.8 24.2 36.5 13.6 26.1 44.3 21.4 24.0

Other 25.5 49.9 47.7 38.8 59.9 25.4 41.5 40.7 33.2 65.1

No one major type 29.8 58.2 42.7 50.9 76.6 26.9 58.0 36.6 39.1 64.5

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 7.2 7.3 8.8 7.7 22.3 5.0 6.5 7.0 7.6 16.8

Shallow pitch 6.7 12.9 12.5 10.6 15.8 6.8 14.0 9.1 11.4 15.8

Steeper pitch 6.7 18.8 13.8 9.4 11.0 6.2 14.5 14.6 9.6 10.4

Cool roof 7.4 16.3 11.4 11.1 16.1 6.3 14.2 11.3 10.4 14.8

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 4.7 8.5 7.7 7.9 13.3 3.8 7.3 6.5 7.3 10.4

Addition or annex 7.8 15.6 11.1 14.8 21.8 5.0 7.7 8.7 9.6 17.4

Reduction in floorspace 17.0 41.6 39.4 21.2 48.5 18.5 47.9 24.2 18.4 32.4

Roof replacement 5.5 8.6 10.5 9.5 14.4 4.4 9.2 7.8 7.9 11.9

Exterior wall replacement 9.0 13.8 16.4 15.0 25.9 7.8 15.3 16.9 13.8 16.0

Interior wall reconfiguration 6.1 10.7 8.1 10.7 18.1 4.5 7.5 7.5 9.0 12.3

Window replacement 5.9 11.5 8.8 10.6 18.4 5.1 7.4 11.2 7.7 18.0

HVAC equipment upgrade 4.9 8.0 8.2 9.8 10.3 3.7 7.0 6.7 7.3 9.6

Lighting upgrade 5.2 8.2 9.4 10.0 12.4 4.5 6.7 7.7 9.7 10.8

Electrical upgrade 6.0 11.2 8.8 10.3 18.8 5.4 11.4 9.6 9.6 14.9

Plumbing system upgrade 5.8 14.4 8.0 10.0 16.2 5.7 13.0 9.4 10.6 13.3

Insulation upgrade 8.0 20.7 11.6 14.9 17.8 6.7 12.0 12.6 13.1 18.0

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 6.3 12.0 12.0 11.4 15.3 4.9 8.8 10.2 9.6 11.3

Structural upgrade 10.0 18.9 18.8 21.8 20.0 8.9 18.0 16.8 17.4 19.1

Other 28.7 40.2 67.0 73.7 57.3 23.9 38.2 51.0 49.6 48.4

No renovations 6.2 9.2 12.8 7.3 18.7 5.8 8.2 9.0 7.1 18.2

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 15.4 36.2 25.3 26.4 26.3 17.3 21.5 22.5 32.2 33.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 118

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.3 8.6 9.0 7.4 16.1 4.7 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5

Natural gas 5.3 7.1 7.7 10.6 13.7 4.8 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3

Fuel oil 11.5 22.1 18.9 14.0 18.8 5.4 9.7 9.6 10.1 13.6

District heat 18.2 40.6 29.0 28.4 33.4 12.9 19.2 20.6 27.8 25.2

District chilled water 17.3 47.3 28.5 23.3 33.9 16.2 38.8 25.6 25.5 27.0

Propane 10.9 31.9 20.8 13.0 28.6 8.6 17.0 19.0 12.6 23.5

Other 14.3 34.4 19.9 15.1 35.5 10.7 22.7 17.3 16.1 25.1

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.8 9.2 10.1 6.9 18.3 5.1 8.7 6.7 8.4 13.2

Natural gas 5.7 7.6 7.7 12.8 13.9 5.3 7.8 6.1 12.6 12.8

Fuel oil 17.2 26.0 23.5 20.1 51.0 13.7 19.3 27.3 18.4 32.7

District heat 18.3 40.6 29.0 28.4 33.6 12.9 19.2 20.6 28.0 25.9

Propane 11.4 29.1 19.9 16.7 34.2 11.6 27.6 23.1 17.2 25.3

Other 22.1 53.8 25.0 23.6 55.1 22.9 39.8 30.8 31.7 67.2

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 7.6 14.3 16.7 7.9 23.5 6.6 11.2 12.4 8.3 18.0

Natural gas 5.7 7.8 8.4 13.4 13.0 5.1 7.4 6.0 12.9 12.5

Fuel oil 19.9 28.1 21.6 25.3 48.3 20.8 26.1 24.8 27.7 60.4

District heat 18.3 40.7 28.7 28.3 33.6 13.1 19.4 20.5 28.6 25.9

Propane 11.7 24.5 21.9 17.2 37.9 12.1 23.9 24.4 17.9 30.8

Other 29.6 59.8 28.8 45.5 83.3 32.8 44.1 46.5 59.8 78.9

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.5 6.7 9.7 6.6 18.2 4.7 5.7 6.1 7.7 15.2

Natural gas 30.6 42.6 64.0 49.0 74.1 21.5 25.8 53.4 55.7 32.1

District chilled water 17.3 47.3 28.5 23.3 33.9 16.2 38.8 25.6 25.5 27.0

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.7 10.7 10.6 6.2 19.7 5.3 8.2 7.2 8.4 15.2

Natural gas 5.7 7.2 7.3 12.8 13.9 5.2 8.6 7.2 11.5 13.3

Fuel oil 25.4 28.1 78.8 50.1 84.0 15.8 18.3 64.7 35.2 56.0

District heat 21.5 43.5 39.8 38.8 41.2 15.6 20.8 24.7 36.2 35.0

Propane 12.3 25.8 23.5 15.4 34.5 11.6 18.9 27.2 21.0 23.9

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.2 11.3 12.1 7.1 13.5 4.5 8.3 7.1 7.9 13.6

Natural gas 5.7 13.6 11.2 8.4 14.0 4.7 12.3 5.2 7.9 12.9

Propane 19.0 44.9 39.5 20.3 50.7 11.9 23.2 26.5 15.1 35.3
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 119

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 5.0 9.4 8.5 7.1 15.3 4.5 6.3 5.8 8.3 13.3

Buildings with cooling 5.4 6.8 9.6 6.5 18.1 4.7 6.3 6.2 7.9 15.0

Buildings with water heating 5.1 7.9 8.3 6.8 16.4 4.6 6.4 5.9 8.1 13.9

Buildings with cooking 4.8 12.2 11.5 6.1 12.8 3.9 8.5 5.7 6.8 11.8

Buildings with manufacturing 13.8 23.5 18.0 19.2 37.1 11.3 15.2 17.4 22.0 30.3

Buildings with electricity

generation 6.9 11.5 15.3 11.0 19.3 4.8 6.6 8.4 9.7 13.2

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 9.4 16.6 19.0 13.9 22.0 9.9 16.9 17.3 11.4 26.0

1 to 50 12.0 18.9 14.1 11.5 34.9 11.3 25.8 20.2 12.8 25.0

51 to 99 6.9 11.2 11.8 9.5 20.1 5.5 10.0 11.1 8.2 14.7

100 4.5 11.2 8.9 7.2 10.8 4.4 6.8 6.4 9.4 11.3

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 8.8 21.2 11.4 18.8 17.2 9.2 26.0 13.7 16.9 16.6

1 to 50 10.5 8.8 10.4 12.7 38.5 8.8 8.7 9.6 14.5 28.8

51 to 99 6.4 10.6 16.2 8.5 15.9 5.0 8.3 13.4 8.4 11.2

100 4.6 12.9 10.2 6.5 12.2 5.2 11.6 6.8 8.7 13.4

Percent lit when open

Zero 23.0 68.7 44.4 34.5 51.2 23.1 79.7 44.7 35.1 46.0

1 to 50 7.5 13.4 13.1 9.4 23.4 7.8 16.1 12.1 10.2 23.8

51 to 99 6.3 10.6 11.1 8.2 19.0 5.0 7.4 7.8 9.5 13.5

100 5.0 9.6 7.6 7.8 13.0 4.8 7.1 7.1 7.7 14.8

Building never open/electricity

not used 10.0 24.8 19.1 17.2 21.8 10.5 20.8 16.5 19.0 19.4

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 6.6 13.8 8.1 10.3 17.6 6.9 11.7 8.4 11.5 18.6

1 to 50 5.0 7.2 10.4 6.9 15.5 4.6 7.3 6.3 7.9 14.4

51 to 100 10.0 19.1 29.2 15.4 21.3 8.3 19.5 13.6 13.3 17.3

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 16.8 47.6 46.5 20.1 32.6 11.2 30.2 25.6 16.0 26.7

Electricity not used 12.7 30.6 25.0 18.6 37.7 14.4 26.4 24.7 22.6 28.5

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 9.3 17.1 25.1 12.1 22.7 6.9 10.7 15.0 10.3 13.4

Furnaces 7.2 14.5 14.3 12.1 13.9 7.9 11.8 14.7 14.9 15.9

Individual space heaters 6.4 13.9 10.6 11.8 15.8 5.2 10.4 10.3 9.5 12.9

District heat 18.3 40.6 29.0 28.4 33.6 12.9 19.2 20.6 28.0 25.9

Boilers 6.5 12.7 7.7 13.4 15.9 4.2 6.7 5.2 10.7 13.1

Packaged heating units 5.4 8.3 8.1 7.6 16.4 5.5 8.1 6.7 9.3 15.3

Other 18.3 34.9 37.9 24.8 40.2 14.5 32.6 31.7 26.6 24.6
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 120

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 7.0 11.9 14.1 9.0 23.8 7.4 12.3 12.0 11.4 23.4

Heat pumps 8.8 17.1 19.8 11.5 21.7 6.9 14.5 12.8 10.4 12.9

Individual air conditioners 7.3 10.6 18.3 9.5 25.8 5.4 8.8 12.5 8.2 18.8

District chilled water 17.3 47.3 28.5 23.3 33.9 16.2 38.8 25.6 25.5 27.0

Central chillers 7.1 10.6 11.8 13.7 13.1 4.5 9.9 8.1 7.9 11.6

Packaged air conditioning units 6.3 8.8 10.2 9.1 16.9 5.0 6.1 7.7 8.6 15.2

Swamp coolers 16.6 102.5 77.1 54.9 17.1 15.0 73.0 39.2 32.5 17.8

Other 51.6 61.3 69.3 70.0 48.1 27.3 59.7 52.9 29.3 44.8

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 4.8 7.4 6.9 6.9 16.9 4.3 6.3 6.1 7.4 14.2

Cooling 4.9 8.2 8.7 5.8 18.3 4.1 7.1 7.6 6.0 14.4

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 5.0 9.4 9.3 6.6 15.5 4.8 7.9 7.3 8.6 14.1

Distributed system 8.0 10.0 8.5 10.5 26.0 7.4 8.8 7.9 11.5 22.4

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 7.4 11.8 14.2 12.8 16.0 5.3 8.6 8.9 9.4 12.4

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 4.6 9.2 9.9 6.0 13.9 4.2 7.9 6.5 7.4 12.0

Standard fluorescent 5.4 7.6 8.8 7.5 17.1 4.6 5.9 5.8 8.0 14.3

Compact fluorescent 5.6 9.8 9.7 8.2 15.6 4.3 6.7 6.6 8.1 11.7

High-intensity discharge (HID) 7.4 13.1 10.0 9.5 23.7 5.1 9.9 9.8 8.2 14.1

Halogen 5.5 11.7 11.0 9.1 11.5 5.0 8.0 7.3 9.8 12.2

LED 7.4 16.6 8.5 14.2 18.0 5.2 9.7 7.4 9.8 14.1

Other 31.8 104.7 60.6 33.4 63.8 19.6 47.0 53.1 27.3 41.8

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 5.1 8.6 8.2 6.7 16.8 4.2 6.3 5.8 7.5 12.6

Walk-in units 4.8 9.9 11.6 7.1 11.3 4.2 9.9 5.3 7.6 11.2

Cases or cabinets 4.7 9.6 10.4 7.3 11.3 4.8 9.4 5.6 9.7 12.1

Large cold storage areas 10.9 25.8 31.3 17.6 16.7 10.3 14.6 19.9 19.2 19.2

Commercial ice makers 5.5 11.1 11.1 8.4 12.8 4.4 10.5 7.5 7.4 11.1

Residential-type or compact units 5.6 9.9 8.7 7.5 18.4 4.6 6.5 5.9 8.5 13.6

Vending machines 5.7 9.0 9.4 8.8 16.2 4.6 8.1 6.3 8.5 13.6

No refrigeration 7.2 14.0 14.3 12.1 15.5 8.8 14.5 16.8 12.5 22.3
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 121

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 5.6 7.4 8.2 7.0 18.6 4.7 6.1 5.9 8.0 14.8

With flat screen monitors 5.8 7.6 8.2 7.1 19.2 4.7 6.2 5.8 8.0 15.0

With multiple monitors 7.4 10.4 9.7 10.1 21.0 5.3 9.1 8.2 9.5 13.4

Laptop computers 5.9 8.5 8.6 7.4 19.3 4.6 5.9 6.3 8.6 13.2

Dedicated servers 6.8 7.4 8.2 9.3 21.2 4.9 5.8 6.1 8.6 14.8

Laser printers 5.7 8.0 8.6 8.0 16.8 4.8 7.4 6.3 8.8 14.1

Inkjet printers 6.7 9.2 10.2 7.3 23.7 5.6 8.4 9.1 8.3 17.6

FAX machines 5.8 7.3 8.2 7.0 19.7 4.6 6.0 6.4 7.9 14.7

Photocopiers 6.4 9.2 8.2 7.9 21.4 4.6 7.0 6.3 8.2 14.3

Number of desktop computers

None 7.4 18.5 13.9 12.7 13.9 8.1 20.4 11.3 13.6 18.4

1 to 4 5.2 9.6 9.7 7.1 15.4 5.7 10.8 10.5 8.7 16.0

5 to 9 8.5 13.0 12.9 9.5 27.1 8.5 14.5 15.1 11.8 23.9

10 to 19 8.8 13.0 12.4 13.7 23.8 8.6 14.1 11.5 12.8 24.3

20 to 49 8.4 13.0 12.7 13.3 19.9 7.4 11.0 10.4 13.9 17.4

50 to 99 8.8 14.6 20.7 13.6 20.2 8.0 11.8 15.5 13.1 22.1

100 to 249 8.0 18.6 15.7 15.1 14.5 7.0 15.6 11.4 14.4 11.8

250 or more 7.4 10.2 15.2 15.0 11.8 6.5 9.0 9.7 14.9 11.8

Number of laptop computers

None 5.8 11.0 11.3 9.2 14.4 5.9 10.3 7.5 8.1 18.9

1 to 4 6.2 9.2 10.0 7.8 20.1 6.0 8.2 9.4 9.4 18.5

5 to 9 8.9 23.2 13.0 10.1 24.8 8.7 21.4 11.7 13.4 21.4

10 to 19 8.8 17.1 15.3 14.3 20.4 8.7 12.9 13.1 15.7 20.4

20 to 49 8.9 17.5 16.0 14.9 20.7 7.5 16.7 11.2 14.5 15.5

50 to 99 10.5 17.3 22.8 17.6 23.5 8.4 17.9 16.6 15.2 16.2

100 to 249 10.8 14.7 25.4 20.7 17.3 8.7 11.6 17.1 18.2 14.1

250 or more 12.6 26.1 23.5 21.9 28.5 9.0 14.3 16.4 18.0 20.3

Number of dedicated servers

None 5.6 11.7 10.9 8.6 14.3 5.6 10.9 9.7 9.3 15.3

1 to 4 7.0 8.0 8.7 9.0 22.5 5.9 8.5 6.3 9.8 18.4

5 to 9 9.8 20.9 18.4 20.1 12.2 8.5 11.3 14.2 16.6 20.2

10 to 19 14.1 17.8 26.1 22.7 31.2 9.3 14.3 21.7 16.9 18.4

20 to 49 15.5 21.2 30.9 28.0 30.5 8.9 19.8 18.7 16.1 14.1

50 or more 15.0 23.7 25.9 30.5 33.1 12.3 19.3 13.3 28.5 25.3

Number of photocopiers

None 5.6 11.2 10.9 8.9 13.9 5.8 10.0 8.6 9.0 16.5

One 7.2 10.0 10.2 8.5 23.9 7.8 13.0 13.3 11.0 22.2

2 to 4 7.0 12.9 9.9 9.9 20.8 5.6 10.2 8.0 9.9 14.6

5 to 9 8.3 12.2 14.0 15.2 17.8 6.8 18.5 10.6 12.2 13.1

10 or more 9.5 14.3 19.5 19.3 14.4 6.6 8.6 13.4 14.4 13.8
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 122

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Number of TVs or video displays

None 6.1 13.8 10.2 9.2 16.6 6.7 12.2 9.3 10.1 19.3

One 6.5 11.0 13.0 8.8 20.3 6.5 11.0 13.5 9.9 17.5

2 to 4 6.5 12.2 10.7 8.9 19.0 6.0 11.3 10.4 9.6 17.0

5 to 9 7.9 14.8 17.1 11.6 22.2 7.6 14.0 13.3 12.3 21.6

10 to 19 10.0 17.4 11.3 18.6 19.6 8.2 22.8 11.5 14.7 13.4

20 to 49 9.8 26.8 21.0 15.9 18.4 7.8 16.0 12.9 15.1 14.7

50 to 99 13.7 24.3 20.1 17.8 38.2 13.9 14.2 17.3 24.2 32.0

100 or more 11.3 18.9 22.4 20.7 21.3 8.0 17.6 13.9 14.3 19.7

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 8.9 18.1 18.2 15.9 14.5 6.6 12.9 11.2 11.5 17.5

Fast food or small restaurant 8.1 16.5 19.1 12.7 18.4 7.1 12.9 10.4 13.5 16.0

Cafeteria or large restaurant 6.6 13.2 10.6 11.6 18.0 5.2 12.8 7.5 8.7 15.3

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 7.1 15.4 13.3 11.5 18.5 5.4 11.7 6.6 8.8 18.4

Small kitchen area 6.4 14.9 15.1 8.7 16.5 5.4 9.7 9.6 9.1 17.1

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 9.6 19.2 15.0 21.3 17.2 6.5 10.3 9.7 14.9 12.7

Computer-based training room 6.8 15.5 12.6 9.2 20.5 5.7 8.1 8.3 10.5 17.7

Student or public computer center 7.2 16.0 12.5 11.4 18.3 5.9 9.4 9.0 11.4 16.7

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 6.2 11.5 11.0 12.7 12.7 5.0 8.5 8.0 11.6 12.2

Regular HVAC maintenance 5.3 8.4 8.9 7.2 16.5 4.7 5.9 6.1 8.4 14.3

Building automation system (BAS)1 7.3 11.7 9.4 9.6 21.5 4.9 8.0 7.0 9.3 12.8

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 5.1 12.9 8.8 8.3 13.3 4.7 7.3 6.7 8.9 13.9

Tinted window glass 7.8 9.6 9.5 7.5 24.3 6.1 9.8 6.5 9.1 18.1

Reflective window glass 8.3 15.8 10.8 11.5 21.3 6.5 12.9 8.6 11.2 17.0

External overhangs or awnings 5.3 7.4 11.8 6.4 15.1 5.2 11.0 8.1 8.0 14.1

Skylights or atriums 10.1 13.5 12.3 10.3 25.8 6.2 8.7 9.3 10.6 16.0

Light scheduling 6.2 10.0 13.0 8.7 17.1 5.4 7.8 7.8 10.6 14.3

Occupancy sensors 8.5 10.6 10.7 14.8 20.3 5.0 7.6 6.1 10.3 13.7

Multi-level lighting or dimming 5.9 14.6 12.7 10.0 11.4 5.7 11.7 11.4 10.2 12.4

Daylight harvesting 11.3 28.3 20.9 20.5 15.7 8.2 16.2 13.8 13.8 20.6

Demand responsive lighting 19.9 57.5 29.6 15.7 50.6 16.1 25.7 20.4 25.3 38.8

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 9.9 20.5 18.2 13.8 25.6 7.5 13.3 11.0 14.4 17.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 123

All

buildings

NortheastMidwest South WestAll

buildings

NortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 5.4 9.0 9.3 7.7 16.0 4.6 6.2 6.0 7.9 14.4

RSEs for Table B3. Census region, number of buildings and floorspace, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

RSEs for number of buildings RSEs for total floorspace

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 5.4 7.9 8.9 6.9 17.3 4.8 6.1 5.5 8.8 14.6

Cooling 5.7 7.2 9.8 6.7 18.9 4.9 7.0 5.7 8.3 15.7

Lighting 5.4 9.4 8.1 7.6 16.5 4.7 6.6 5.9 8.5 13.8
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 124

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 5.4 5.2 5.0 5.3 5.3 6.6 23.8 84.2

5,001 to 10,000 8.0 8.2 7.4 8.1 8.1 9.2 27.7 58.0

10,001 to 25,000 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 8.7 25.5 38.9

25,001 to 50,000 8.1 8.0 7.1 7.8 7.8 8.9 22.2 40.6

50,001 to 100,000 7.8 7.7 8.6 8.7 8.7 10.3 20.0 45.5

100,001 to 200,000 7.0 7.2 11.6 9.7 9.7 14.7 18.1 38.2

200,001 to 500,000 6.8 6.5 8.5 8.9 8.9 11.1 19.2 24.7

Over 500,000 9.2 9.2 11.3 9.7 9.7 17.8 16.3 19.2

Principal building activity

Education 7.6 5.8 7.0 7.1 7.1 8.9 26.2 32.2

Food sales 11.4 12.8 11.7 11.3 11.3 17.0 56.0 0.0

Food service 6.6 7.6 8.8 10.0 10.0 9.5 60.3 85.4

Health care 10.8 7.3 8.2 9.0 9.0 9.5 23.9 15.7

Inpatient 16.9 8.2 9.1 9.7 9.7 10.5 23.9 16.6

Outpatient 11.3 11.2 13.9 15.2 15.2 16.9 52.9 30.7

Lodging 9.8 8.2 12.6 9.7 9.7 16.3 30.1 36.8

Mercantile 6.0 8.4 9.7 10.1 10.1 11.1 24.5 62.7

Retail (other than mall) 6.9 8.3 9.2 10.1 10.1 14.2 29.5 75.5

Enclosed and strip malls 11.1 11.9 12.6 13.3 13.3 12.9 57.5 111.9

Office 6.7 6.1 8.6 6.8 6.8 12.7 20.3 36.5

Public assembly 9.1 9.5 10.6 9.9 9.9 12.3 31.8 29.2

Public order and safety 17.5 13.7 16.7 17.4 17.4 18.0 22.8 52.6

Religious worship 7.3 8.8 10.5 10.1 10.1 14.3 31.8 0.0

Service 7.4 8.9 8.3 8.9 8.9 11.0 20.0 78.3

Warehouse and storage 12.8 11.7 12.1 13.4 13.4 15.1 33.6 112.0

Other 14.5 15.5 18.7 19.4 19.4 27.2 44.6 49.5

Vacant 11.5 13.3 16.7 19.8 19.8 23.5 60.1 50.6

Year constructed

Before 1920 10.5 11.2 11.5 11.8 11.8 13.5 30.9 35.2

1920 to 1945 6.7 7.6 8.7 9.3 9.3 8.5 24.2 46.7

1946 to 1959 7.7 8.1 8.5 8.3 8.3 11.3 18.4 30.6

1960 to 1969 7.9 6.6 7.8 8.2 8.2 9.0 23.8 30.3

1970 to 1979 7.5 7.0 9.0 7.2 7.2 10.2 25.9 31.8

1980 to 1989 8.3 6.5 7.2 8.0 8.0 9.3 21.2 18.3

1990 to 1999 6.2 5.1 5.2 5.4 5.4 7.9 19.0 21.9

2000 to 2003 9.3 7.8 9.3 8.5 8.5 10.6 42.3 59.0

2004 to 2007 13.3 15.5 16.6 15.2 15.2 22.0 32.4 47.8

2008 to 2012 15.4 17.3 20.6 22.6 22.6 20.3 34.2 41.6

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 125

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Census region and division

Northeast 9.0 6.2 9.0 8.3 8.3 11.6 15.4 32.4

New England 22.7 14.2 12.6 8.3 8.3 20.8 18.9 79.4

Middle Atlantic 7.0 6.7 10.9 10.2 10.2 13.5 24.9 29.2

Midwest 9.3 6.0 7.5 7.0 7.0 8.4 25.7 25.3

East North Central 12.1 6.9 9.1 8.6 8.6 10.4 36.7 21.7

West North Central 14.2 11.6 13.2 12.7 12.7 11.5 28.0 50.8

South 7.7 7.9 8.3 8.0 8.0 11.1 16.8 28.4

South Atlantic 9.5 12.3 14.0 13.8 13.8 19.1 21.5 38.4

East South Central 9.3 12.2 8.1 5.4 5.4 18.4 42.5 57.5

West South Central 17.4 13.1 11.6 9.5 9.5 15.4 27.0 56.8

West 16.0 14.4 11.4 11.8 11.8 12.6 19.3 33.2

Mountain 12.4 14.0 18.4 11.6 11.6 26.2 51.7 48.9

Pacific 21.4 18.8 14.1 15.6 15.6 13.3 17.2 44.9

Number of floors

One 6.3 7.3 6.7 7.0 7.0 7.6 19.8 36.0

Two 5.6 5.6 7.8 7.3 7.3 8.8 15.5 64.9

Three 8.3 6.3 8.8 8.8 8.8 12.4 21.5 41.0

Four to nine 9.4 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.3 8.9 23.1 20.4

Ten or more 11.1 9.6 13.6 10.6 10.6 23.6 20.1 18.9

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 5.7 4.4 5.8 5.3 5.3 7.3 9.7 16.6

Number of elevators

One 6.4 5.8 11.1 9.4 9.4 11.5 19.0 40.3

Two to five 8.4 7.0 8.5 8.2 8.2 11.0 16.3 26.1

Six or more 8.7 8.1 9.5 8.1 8.1 13.6 14.3 16.9

Any escalators 25.6 13.1 18.9 14.1 14.1 35.1 28.1 25.1

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 5.8 6.6 5.9 6.2 6.2 7.3 25.2 51.0

5 to 9 7.2 6.9 6.7 6.8 6.8 9.7 29.8 45.1

10 to 19 8.8 8.7 8.4 7.8 7.8 11.3 26.1 39.5

20 to 49 7.5 6.2 6.5 7.4 7.4 7.5 26.8 30.0

50 to 99 8.0 6.5 8.1 8.4 8.4 9.7 16.4 50.0

100 to 249 9.5 8.5 9.5 9.3 9.3 10.7 25.0 41.0

250 or more 7.6 6.6 9.0 7.1 7.1 13.4 12.5 17.7

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 7.2 8.4 7.8 7.9 7.9 10.8 43.0 64.4

40 to 48 7.5 7.4 7.8 8.0 8.0 10.3 20.9 44.4

49 to 60 6.7 6.4 5.8 6.3 6.3 6.2 18.8 39.6

61 to 84 6.8 5.8 5.9 6.2 6.2 7.7 22.1 23.8

85 to 167 7.9 8.6 8.6 8.2 8.2 11.3 25.3 42.5

Open continuously 8.1 5.5 7.1 6.3 6.3 9.3 16.1 17.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 126

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 5.3 4.2 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 12.5 16.5

Business owner or tenant 9.2 11.0 11.4 11.6 11.6 12.4 29.5 53.2

Property management 16.8 14.2 16.8 17.0 17.0 26.4 30.6 48.9

Other 16.9 15.6 18.7 19.6 19.6 22.3 39.9 60.4

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 5.2 4.3 4.1 4.0 4.0 5.0 12.0 16.5

Business owner or tenant 10.1 10.7 10.9 10.9 10.9 12.6 33.5 53.5

Property management 22.3 19.0 22.0 21.8 21.8 31.0 39.3 69.9

Other 13.6 14.6 19.4 19.8 19.8 23.0 34.6 64.6

Number of establishments

One 5.5 5.0 5.0 4.8 4.8 5.7 13.4 20.6

2 to 5 7.1 6.0 5.8 6.1 6.1 7.9 18.9 22.6

6 to 10 13.9 10.9 9.9 10.0 10.0 12.7 45.9 30.9

11 to 20 14.1 13.4 15.0 16.3 16.3 16.1 24.8 32.3

More than 20 26.0 8.8 10.7 11.5 11.5 16.5 40.1 26.1

Currently unoccupied 12.8 17.3 20.7 26.0 26.0 27.1 42.0 88.1

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 5.1 4.8 5.0 5.3 5.3 5.2 14.1 21.7

Concrete (block or poured) 6.9 6.3 6.9 6.3 6.3 9.0 17.1 33.6

Concrete panels 25.2 11.9 12.8 10.1 10.1 20.4 22.0 32.6

Siding or shingles 9.0 10.4 13.7 12.9 12.9 17.9 25.6 92.3

Metal panels 10.8 9.0 10.6 12.5 12.5 16.9 27.4 50.9

Window glass 18.8 13.2 18.7 16.8 16.8 36.1 41.8 31.3

Other 23.7 25.9 30.5 23.7 23.7 55.8 65.7 80.3

No one major type 23.0 21.3 18.8 16.5 16.5 28.2 57.1 48.8

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 7.8 7.1 7.8 8.4 8.4 9.7 25.7 39.4

Synthetic or rubber 6.0 5.9 6.6 6.5 6.5 8.2 18.6 17.7

Built-up 8.7 5.4 5.9 5.2 5.2 7.9 16.2 22.2

Slate or tile shingles 8.8 13.6 15.1 14.0 14.0 10.2 36.9 54.8

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 13.7 16.5 15.6 13.5 13.5 22.3 47.6 111.7

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 6.3 5.9 6.6 6.2 6.2 9.7 19.7 38.4

Concrete 18.2 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.8 22.3 45.9 39.2

Other 25.5 25.4 28.4 28.9 28.9 33.8 56.4 82.2

No one major type 29.8 26.9 27.5 27.9 27.9 30.9 74.1 54.7
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 127

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 7.2 5.0 4.5 4.5 4.5 5.5 13.3 14.7

Shallow pitch 6.7 6.8 7.7 7.6 7.6 9.7 20.5 35.8

Steeper pitch 6.7 6.2 7.3 6.5 6.5 9.1 24.2 50.2

Cool roof 7.4 6.3 7.6 7.4 7.4 9.4 15.5 25.9

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 4.7 3.8 4.9 4.2 4.2 6.7 13.2 18.0

Addition or annex 7.8 5.0 6.8 5.8 5.8 9.1 18.3 19.7

Reduction in floorspace 17.0 18.5 35.9 27.3 27.3 41.1 50.7 72.2

Roof replacement 5.5 4.4 6.9 6.2 6.2 8.7 17.3 21.3

Exterior wall replacement 9.0 7.8 10.6 11.4 11.4 14.5 31.9 23.4

Interior wall reconfiguration 6.1 4.5 5.8 5.2 5.2 8.0 14.3 17.8

Window replacement 5.9 5.1 7.8 6.8 6.8 10.7 19.6 21.0

HVAC equipment upgrade 4.9 3.7 5.8 4.9 4.9 7.8 15.0 17.5

Lighting upgrade 5.2 4.5 5.4 4.7 4.7 7.3 14.5 20.2

Electrical upgrade 6.0 5.4 6.8 6.1 6.1 9.6 17.6 19.0

Plumbing system upgrade 5.8 5.7 7.4 6.8 6.8 10.0 18.9 20.3

Insulation upgrade 8.0 6.7 10.7 9.5 9.5 14.7 20.0 23.1

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 6.3 4.9 5.4 5.5 5.5 6.9 16.9 15.8

Structural upgrade 10.0 8.9 17.0 14.3 14.3 23.7 32.8 37.2

Other 28.7 23.9 22.7 23.1 23.1 27.9 68.8 65.1

No renovations 6.2 5.8 5.2 5.6 5.6 6.3 18.1 26.6

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 15.4 17.3 20.6 22.6 22.6 20.3 34.2 41.6

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.3 4.7 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

Natural gas 5.3 4.8 4.9 5.0 5.0 5.3 16.8 19.8

Fuel oil 11.5 5.4 6.0 5.7 5.7 8.6 11.1 16.1

District heat 18.2 12.9 16.2 14.4 14.4 40.9 22.1 16.1

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 19.0 17.1 17.1 35.5 24.1 18.9

Propane 10.9 8.6 13.2 10.8 10.8 24.2 16.0 52.7

Other 14.3 10.7 14.1 11.9 11.9 22.5 26.4 30.2

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.8 5.1 4.9 5.3 5.3 5.4 11.8 16.4

Natural gas 5.7 5.3 5.2 5.5 5.5 5.2 17.6 22.5

Fuel oil 17.2 13.7 10.3 12.5 12.5 13.0 13.8 61.7

District heat 18.3 12.9 16.3 14.5 14.5 40.9 22.8 16.1

Propane 11.4 11.6 15.3 15.3 15.3 25.0 40.0 112.3

Other 22.1 22.9 24.1 25.7 25.7 28.1 45.7 73.3
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 128

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 7.6 6.6 6.1 6.4 6.4 7.4 16.9 80.7

Natural gas 5.7 5.1 5.1 5.4 5.4 5.3 8.8 51.8

Fuel oil 19.9 20.8 15.1 18.5 18.5 29.5 15.0 112.3

District heat 18.3 13.1 16.4 14.6 14.6 41.7 20.8 16.2

Propane 11.7 12.1 17.8 18.0 18.0 47.7 70.6 0.0

Other 29.6 32.8 37.4 38.4 38.4 52.3 52.4 0.0

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.5 4.7 4.4 4.6 4.6 5.1 10.6 15.9

Natural gas 30.6 21.5 21.0 19.6 19.6 22.5 30.1 100.0

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 19.0 17.1 17.1 35.5 24.1 18.9

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.7 5.3 5.1 5.5 5.5 6.2 13.1 19.1

Natural gas 5.7 5.2 5.6 5.8 5.8 5.6 10.3 43.8

Fuel oil 25.4 15.8 12.5 14.3 14.3 22.4 15.7 59.1

District heat 21.5 15.6 19.4 17.7 17.7 48.6 24.2 17.9

Propane 12.3 11.6 14.2 14.7 14.7 49.9 38.0 112.3

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.2 4.5 5.1 5.4 5.4 6.0 15.5 15.9

Natural gas 5.7 4.7 6.4 6.1 6.1 6.9 16.9 24.5

Propane 19.0 11.9 14.9 17.1 17.1 36.2 15.1 89.5

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 5.0 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 5.4 11.2 16.1

Buildings with cooling 5.4 4.7 4.6 4.6 4.6 5.5 10.5 16.2

Buildings with water heating 5.1 4.6 4.5 4.5 4.5 5.3 10.9 16.6

Buildings with cooking 4.8 3.9 5.3 5.2 5.2 6.2 11.4 17.9

Buildings with manufacturing 13.8 11.3 12.8 15.3 15.3 14.7 28.6 49.7

Buildings with electricity

generation 6.9 4.8 5.6 5.4 5.4 7.8 10.2 15.9

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 9.4 9.9 13.6 14.1 14.1 30.3 43.2 100.0

1 to 50 12.0 11.3 9.9 10.4 10.4 12.5 26.8 60.9

51 to 99 6.9 5.5 6.9 7.4 7.4 9.3 15.1 19.8

100 4.5 4.4 4.8 4.6 4.6 5.6 12.5 17.8

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 8.8 9.2 10.8 11.8 11.8 12.0 35.7 62.1

1 to 50 10.5 8.8 6.4 7.6 7.6 7.5 18.4 23.7

51 to 99 6.4 5.0 6.2 6.1 6.1 9.0 12.6 18.4

100 4.6 5.2 5.6 5.1 5.1 6.9 16.9 23.1
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 129

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Percent lit when open

Zero 23.0 23.1 37.8 33.1 33.1 99.6 112.1 91.2

1 to 50 7.5 7.8 7.0 7.4 7.4 8.4 25.4 44.5

51 to 99 6.3 5.0 6.0 6.2 6.2 6.9 14.4 21.7

100 5.0 4.8 5.2 5.0 5.0 6.6 13.3 21.6

Building never open/electricity

not used 10.0 10.5 20.4 24.6 24.6 25.4 99.7 88.1

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 6.6 6.9 5.7 6.3 6.3 6.3 24.1 38.9

1 to 50 5.0 4.6 4.8 5.0 5.0 5.8 13.6 20.0

51 to 100 10.0 8.3 11.8 9.7 9.7 14.3 25.4 30.3

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 16.8 11.2 11.3 12.2 12.2 14.1 60.8 49.6

Electricity not used 12.7 14.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 9.3 6.9 6.8 7.6 7.6 8.2 19.3 23.7

Furnaces 7.2 7.9 8.4 7.8 7.8 10.9 39.2 43.6

Individual space heaters 6.4 5.2 5.2 5.6 5.6 6.0 19.4 20.1

District heat 18.3 12.9 16.3 14.5 14.5 40.9 22.8 16.1

Boilers 6.5 4.2 4.7 4.8 4.8 5.5 12.9 41.2

Packaged heating units 5.4 5.5 5.5 5.8 5.8 6.1 16.8 19.7

Other 18.3 14.5 16.0 16.7 16.7 18.8 70.9 62.2

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 7.0 7.4 6.3 6.4 6.4 8.4 22.8 71.0

Heat pumps 8.8 6.9 6.6 7.3 7.3 8.8 17.2 24.6

Individual air conditioners 7.3 5.4 5.6 5.9 5.9 6.3 21.2 26.1

District chilled water 17.3 16.2 19.0 17.1 17.1 35.5 24.1 18.9

Central chillers 7.1 4.5 5.2 5.3 5.3 6.9 13.7 17.9

Packaged air conditioning units 6.3 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.4 6.3 12.0 18.7

Swamp coolers 16.6 15.0 15.7 16.2 16.2 20.1 34.0 45.6

Other 51.6 27.3 27.4 33.2 33.2 33.3 45.8 57.2

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 4.8 4.3 4.5 4.9 4.9 5.4 13.6 100.2

Cooling 4.9 4.1 4.5 4.5 4.5 6.0 15.6 29.3

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 5.0 4.8 5.2 4.9 4.9 6.1 13.6 22.0

Distributed system 8.0 7.4 7.1 7.4 7.4 10.0 26.3 35.6

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 7.4 5.3 6.0 6.6 6.6 7.6 9.3 15.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 130

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 4.6 4.2 5.1 5.1 5.1 6.0 13.4 16.7

Standard fluorescent 5.4 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.4 5.5 9.9 16.3

Compact fluorescent 5.6 4.3 4.9 4.9 4.9 5.7 11.4 15.5

High-intensity discharge (HID) 7.4 5.1 6.5 6.1 6.1 8.3 14.0 17.7

Halogen 5.5 5.0 6.5 6.7 6.7 7.8 12.3 14.6

LED 7.4 5.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 7.7 15.5 14.8

Other 31.8 19.6 21.9 19.9 19.9 27.0 35.7 56.4

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 5.1 4.2 4.4 4.4 4.4 5.3 10.2 15.7

Walk-in units 4.8 4.2 5.6 5.2 5.2 6.9 12.5 18.4

Cases or cabinets 4.7 4.8 6.0 5.9 5.9 7.3 13.8 17.7

Large cold storage areas 10.9 10.3 10.1 10.5 10.5 13.4 29.1 28.7

Commercial ice makers 5.5 4.4 5.6 5.5 5.5 6.5 13.1 17.3

Residential-type or compact units 5.6 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.7 5.3 9.5 16.6

Vending machines 5.7 4.6 5.4 5.4 5.4 6.7 12.4 15.8

No refrigeration 7.2 8.8 10.3 11.5 11.5 12.5 34.7 47.2

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 5.6 4.7 4.5 4.6 4.6 5.4 10.5 16.2

With flat screen monitors 5.8 4.7 4.5 4.6 4.6 5.4 10.5 16.3

With multiple monitors 7.4 5.3 5.8 5.2 5.2 7.7 9.8 17.4

Laptop computers 5.9 4.6 4.8 4.8 4.8 5.9 11.1 15.3

Dedicated servers 6.8 4.9 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 9.1 17.2

Laser printers 5.7 4.8 5.2 5.1 5.1 6.2 9.5 18.6

Inkjet printers 6.7 5.6 5.0 5.5 5.5 6.0 15.7 16.4

FAX machines 5.8 4.6 4.6 4.8 4.8 5.6 10.5 14.8

Photocopiers 6.4 4.6 5.0 5.1 5.1 6.0 10.5 16.5

Number of desktop computers

None 7.4 8.1 9.7 11.4 11.4 11.1 34.7 52.5

1 to 4 5.2 5.7 4.9 4.9 4.9 6.3 18.6 52.7

5 to 9 8.5 8.5 8.8 8.8 8.8 10.8 24.7 42.8

10 to 19 8.8 8.6 8.1 8.4 8.4 10.5 24.3 52.3

20 to 49 8.4 7.4 8.1 9.5 9.5 8.3 17.9 45.8

50 to 99 8.8 8.0 9.2 9.2 9.2 12.6 29.1 39.8

100 to 249 8.0 7.0 12.0 9.5 9.5 16.3 28.4 26.0

250 or more 7.4 6.5 6.5 6.3 6.3 9.0 10.8 19.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 131

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Number of laptop computers

None 5.8 5.9 5.4 5.9 5.9 6.7 20.5 49.5

1 to 4 6.2 6.0 5.6 6.1 6.1 6.6 20.6 43.3

5 to 9 8.9 8.7 12.8 10.2 10.2 14.3 24.8 78.6

10 to 19 8.8 8.7 11.8 11.8 11.8 13.8 28.3 33.4

20 to 49 8.9 7.5 10.0 8.3 8.3 15.5 16.0 30.4

50 to 99 10.5 8.4 9.8 9.8 9.8 12.6 27.4 21.5

100 to 249 10.8 8.7 9.8 8.9 8.9 14.5 29.2 31.6

250 or more 12.6 9.0 8.0 8.9 8.9 11.1 20.2 14.6

Number of dedicated servers

None 5.6 5.6 5.5 5.3 5.3 7.3 20.9 29.9

1 to 4 7.0 5.9 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.8 14.2 35.3

5 to 9 9.8 8.5 9.2 8.4 8.4 12.4 22.3 32.8

10 to 19 14.1 9.3 13.7 10.1 10.1 25.0 20.6 37.8

20 to 49 15.5 8.9 8.5 8.8 8.8 11.8 23.4 28.2

50 or more 15.0 12.3 12.4 12.7 12.7 16.0 29.5 32.3

Number of photocopiers

None 5.6 5.8 4.9 5.1 5.1 6.3 20.4 27.8

One 7.2 7.8 7.4 8.0 8.0 8.4 16.6 53.1

2 to 4 7.0 5.6 7.1 7.5 7.5 8.3 17.4 39.0

5 to 9 8.3 6.8 12.3 10.7 10.7 13.7 18.3 48.4

10 or more 9.5 6.6 7.9 6.9 6.9 11.7 19.2 17.7

Number of TVs or video displays

None 6.1 6.7 4.7 5.1 5.1 6.6 20.8 24.8

One 6.5 6.5 7.3 7.1 7.1 9.0 23.4 51.7

2 to 4 6.5 6.0 7.2 7.5 7.5 9.2 28.0 30.9

5 to 9 7.9 7.6 8.6 9.5 9.5 9.5 31.8 50.0

10 to 19 10.0 8.2 12.9 10.5 10.5 16.1 25.1 37.7

20 to 49 9.8 7.8 8.8 9.4 9.4 10.2 27.0 26.8

50 to 99 13.7 13.9 14.8 14.2 14.2 14.9 28.7 44.8

100 or more 11.3 8.0 8.9 8.0 8.0 11.2 15.0 17.4

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 8.9 6.6 8.8 7.9 7.9 12.2 14.8 19.8

Fast food or small restaurant 8.1 7.1 8.0 7.1 7.1 11.8 23.9 21.7

Cafeteria or large restaurant 6.6 5.2 8.1 6.7 6.7 9.9 14.8 23.5

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 7.1 5.4 7.4 6.7 6.7 8.5 13.5 25.1

Small kitchen area 6.4 5.4 7.0 6.3 6.3 9.4 18.4 20.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 132

Number of 

buildings 

Total

floorspace

Sum of

major

fuels Primary Site

Natural

gas

Fuel

oil

District

heat

All buildings 5.4 4.6 4.4 4.5 4.5 5.3 11.1 16.1

RSEs for all buildings RSEs for total energy consumption

Electricity

RSEs for Table C1. Total energy consumption by major fuel, 2012 - PUBLIC USE DATA VERSION

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 9.6 6.5 8.0 7.1 7.1 11.5 16.6 23.5

Computer-based training room 6.8 5.7 6.3 6.2 6.2 8.4 17.1 20.9

Student or public computer center 7.2 5.9 8.6 7.7 7.7 11.0 21.0 24.6

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 6.2 5.0 6.2 5.8 5.8 7.6 14.7 16.3

Regular HVAC maintenance 5.3 4.7 4.7 4.8 4.8 5.6 10.6 14.8

Building automation system (BAS)1 7.3 4.9 5.6 5.7 5.7 7.0 11.5 15.7

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 5.1 4.7 5.1 5.2 5.2 6.1 11.5 15.5

Tinted window glass 7.8 6.1 5.8 5.8 5.8 6.6 13.3 18.2

Reflective window glass 8.3 6.5 8.4 8.2 8.2 10.9 16.6 21.5

External overhangs or awnings 5.3 5.2 6.0 5.6 5.6 7.5 14.3 24.2

Skylights or atriums 10.1 6.2 7.7 6.7 6.7 9.4 15.5 23.7

Light scheduling 6.2 5.4 6.2 6.3 6.3 7.7 13.6 15.9

Occupancy sensors 8.5 5.0 5.2 5.0 5.0 7.0 10.6 17.6

Multi-level lighting or dimming 5.9 5.7 7.9 7.7 7.7 9.8 22.8 18.9

Daylight harvesting 11.3 8.2 8.8 9.0 9.0 12.4 35.8 23.0

Demand responsive lighting 19.9 16.1 15.2 16.6 16.6 14.4 51.2 32.7

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 9.9 7.5 8.3 8.6 8.6 10.5 19.2 18.5

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 5.4 4.8 4.6 4.9 4.9 5.3 11.6 16.2

Cooling 5.7 4.9 4.9 5.1 5.1 5.6 12.6 19.0

Lighting 5.4 4.7 4.7 4.8 4.8 5.5 11.0 16.6
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 133

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 4.0 3.8 3.7 P P P 4.3 4.1 1.8

5,001 to 10,000 5.8 5.7 6.7 P P P 5.4 5.1 3.9

10,001 to 25,000 5.1 5.1 9.1 P P P 5.0 5.1 2.4

25,001 to 50,000 5.2 5.1 6.7 P P P 4.7 4.4 3.0

50,001 to 100,000 5.4 5.1 4.9 P P P 5.1 4.6 2.5

100,001 to 200,000 7.9 7.4 6.5 P P P 6.5 6.0 3.0

200,001 to 500,000 4.6 4.6 5.8 P P P 4.9 5.0 2.8

Over 500,000 8.9 7.5 9.3 P P P 7.0 5.8 3.8

Principal building activity

Education 8.6 4.1 11.4 P P P 7.9 3.5 2.3

Food sales 11.7 6.4 7.7 P P P 11.4 5.0 4.7

Food service 5.8 5.6 5.6 P P P 6.2 5.9 3.5

Health care 11.9 3.6 4.0 P P P 11.7 3.8 1.7

Inpatient 14.8 2.9 3.0 P P P 14.5 3.5 2.0

Outpatient 14.8 6.8 9.5 P P P 13.2 6.2 4.2

Lodging 13.3 9.2 12.3 P P P 11.7 7.3 4.4

Mercantile 9.0 3.5 4.0 P P P 10.0 4.1 2.7

Retail (other than mall) 8.7 4.4 6.2 P P P 9.4 4.7 3.9

Enclosed and strip malls 9.2 3.8 4.0 P P P 10.8 4.7 3.2

Office 9.8 5.8 5.4 P P P 8.5 4.4 2.7

Public assembly 10.9 5.5 7.4 P P P 10.7 6.4 4.0

Public order and safety 20.2 8.1 11.7 P P P 22.2 11.4 7.1

Religious worship 8.6 6.2 8.2 P P P 8.1 4.8 4.2

Service 8.5 7.2 8.2 P P P 8.3 5.1 4.2

Warehouse and storage 12.7 9.0 13.1 P P P 12.5 6.5 5.3

Other 20.3 14.7 15.6 P P P 19.9 15.0 6.3

Vacant 18.7 17.6 12.7 P P P 49.2 30.0 6.8

Year constructed

Before 1920 12.2 8.3 7.8 P P P 13.5 9.2 4.4

1920 to 1945 8.0 5.6 6.9 P P P 8.7 7.0 3.8

1946 to 1959 7.9 5.5 6.0 P P P 8.9 6.5 3.1

1960 to 1969 7.8 4.7 6.8 P P P 7.7 4.6 2.8

1970 to 1979 10.4 7.4 5.1 P P P 10.0 6.5 2.2

1980 to 1989 7.7 5.2 6.0 P P P 7.6 4.1 2.9

1990 to 1999 7.2 3.8 9.9 P P P 7.0 3.5 2.1

2000 to 2003 10.6 5.3 7.7 P P P 9.9 4.7 2.4

2004 to 2007 14.6 12.0 11.8 P P P 12.4 7.6 6.0

2008 to 2012 15.4 7.8 9.2 P P P 17.3 9.2 4.5

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 134

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Census region and division

Northeast 11.9 6.2 4.9 P P P 10.5 5.0 3.6

New England 28.0 13.6 10.2 P P P 26.6 13.1 3.3

Middle Atlantic 10.7 6.8 5.6 P P P 8.5 5.0 4.6

Midwest 7.7 3.7 4.8 P P P 8.7 3.9 2.0

East North Central 10.3 4.4 6.2 P P P 12.1 5.2 2.5

West North Central 10.5 6.0 7.3 P P P 9.1 4.1 3.5

South 6.6 3.7 2.7 P P P 7.6 4.1 2.3

South Atlantic 9.6 4.2 4.1 P P P 9.7 4.0 1.9

East South Central 11.1 8.4 7.8 P P P 9.1 10.6 4.4

West South Central 11.3 8.3 3.0 P P P 14.6 9.6 4.9

West 12.9 7.2 10.2 P P P 12.3 5.5 4.6

Mountain 21.2 10.7 11.6 P P P 19.4 7.9 5.1

Pacific 15.2 8.3 12.4 P P P 15.0 6.8 4.4

Number of floors

One 5.7 3.9 5.0 P P P 6.3 3.6 2.4

Two 7.4 5.4 4.7 P P P 6.5 4.2 2.4

Three 9.9 5.4 5.3 P P P 9.2 5.3 3.2

Four to nine 8.4 4.1 5.9 P P P 8.3 4.0 2.1

Ten or more 11.6 8.8 11.3 P P P 8.6 6.1 5.1

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 5.2 3.1 3.8 P P P 5.0 2.6 1.6

Number of elevators

One 9.5 7.5 5.1 P P P 8.5 6.2 2.3

Two to five 6.4 4.0 6.8 P P P 5.7 3.5 2.1

Six or more 6.6 5.3 6.8 P P P 5.6 4.7 3.2

Any escalators 26.1 13.1 16.1 P P P 23.5 9.0 6.3

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 4.4 4.5 4.4 P P P 4.6 5.3 2.1

5 to 9 5.2 4.8 5.1 P P P 5.1 4.5 2.9

10 to 19 6.4 6.3 6.2 P P P 5.1 4.9 3.4

20 to 49 5.9 4.5 6.1 P P P 5.2 3.8 2.6

50 to 99 4.7 4.3 4.7 P P P 4.4 4.2 2.1

100 to 249 6.8 4.3 7.3 P P P 5.2 3.7 2.7

250 or more 6.5 5.3 6.6 P P P 5.9 3.9 3.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 135

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 6.9 6.8 6.2 P P P 9.1 8.5 3.9

40 to 48 6.5 5.1 5.5 P P P 5.4 4.0 3.2

49 to 60 6.4 4.0 4.7 P P P 5.9 3.6 2.0

61 to 84 6.4 3.2 4.9 P P P 6.4 3.2 2.3

85 to 167 7.2 6.1 4.9 P P P 6.7 5.5 2.1

Open continuously 7.9 3.9 4.8 P P P 8.0 3.5 2.1

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 4.6 2.7 3.0 P P P 4.6 2.3 1.5

Business owner or tenant 9.7 6.6 7.0 P P P 10.0 6.5 2.4

Property management 17.8 11.3 14.6 P P P 21.3 12.2 9.8

Other 19.0 13.3 18.0 P P P 18.8 11.7 5.3

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 4.6 2.7 3.1 P P P 4.6 2.3 1.6

Business owner or tenant 10.9 7.3 7.4 P P P 10.8 7.2 2.3

Property management 23.9 9.9 18.9 P P P 27.1 14.2 14.7

Other 15.8 10.8 14.2 P P P 15.3 9.8 3.8

Number of establishments

One 5.1 3.4 3.9 P P P 4.9 2.9 1.8

2 to 5 6.4 4.1 5.1 P P P 6.3 3.8 2.3

6 to 10 10.9 5.9 7.3 P P P 10.1 4.7 2.7

11 to 20 13.8 5.3 8.6 P P P 14.9 6.1 4.4

More than 20 27.3 6.7 8.5 P P P 21.0 5.7 4.4

Currently unoccupied 23.8 24.9 0.0 P P P 73.1 52.3 10.0

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 4.3 2.7 2.9 P P P 4.5 3.0 1.7

Concrete (block or poured) 7.9 5.2 4.7 P P P 7.4 3.8 2.6

Concrete panels 20.8 10.1 11.1 P P P 19.3 6.5 4.8

Siding or shingles 11.5 8.2 9.2 P P P 11.1 7.6 3.3

Metal panels 10.1 6.8 9.5 P P P 11.0 7.0 3.6

Window glass 26.1 15.1 18.1 P P P 23.1 11.0 5.7

Other 34.4 23.9 23.0 P P P 32.8 22.8 8.7

No one major type 24.8 12.1 131.1 P P P 24.8 12.9 5.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 136

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 8.3 5.2 5.5 P P P 8.5 4.8 2.9

Synthetic or rubber 6.1 3.5 4.2 P P P 6.0 3.5 1.7

Built-up 8.0 4.5 3.9 P P P 7.5 3.5 2.2

Slate or tile shingles 13.7 5.6 10.3 P P P 12.1 6.6 6.2

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 16.7 15.5 13.6 P P P 13.4 11.9 6.7

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 6.1 4.1 8.4 P P P 6.2 3.7 2.5

Concrete 16.9 10.9 10.4 P P P 16.6 11.1 4.4

Other 31.2 10.0 17.6 P P P 33.4 12.0 7.2

No one major type 28.0 21.0 16.2 P P P 27.4 20.9 7.8

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 6.3 3.3 3.8 P P P 5.9 2.6 1.7

Shallow pitch 7.5 4.6 5.0 P P P 7.8 4.1 2.6

Steeper pitch 6.4 4.5 5.6 P P P 6.4 4.3 2.8

Cool roof 8.0 4.3 4.8 P P P 7.6 3.6 2.6

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 5.4 3.3 3.4 P P P 5.0 2.9 1.8

Addition or annex 8.9 4.9 6.4 P P P 8.1 4.3 2.2

Reduction in floorspace 35.4 23.0 8.1 P P P 31.5 16.9 8.8

Roof replacement 7.6 4.9 4.4 P P P 7.2 4.4 1.8

Exterior wall replacement 12.1 8.3 8.8 P P P 11.5 7.0 3.3

Interior wall reconfiguration 6.8 3.8 4.6 P P P 6.5 3.6 2.0

Window replacement 8.6 5.9 6.5 P P P 7.7 4.9 2.5

HVAC equipment upgrade 6.7 4.1 3.7 P P P 6.3 3.6 2.0

Lighting upgrade 6.1 3.4 4.5 P P P 5.6 3.2 1.9

Electrical upgrade 7.8 4.8 5.6 P P P 7.5 4.2 2.3

Plumbing system upgrade 8.2 5.3 6.4 P P P 7.9 4.7 2.7

Insulation upgrade 11.7 8.2 8.3 P P P 10.1 6.5 3.1

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 7.0 3.4 4.5 P P P 7.0 3.3 1.9

Structural upgrade 19.1 13.7 15.2 P P P 16.4 10.5 4.9

Other 30.3 11.8 16.6 P P P 30.1 13.8 9.5

No renovations 5.3 3.7 4.3 P P P 5.5 2.9 2.3

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 15.4 7.8 9.2 P P P 17.3 9.2 4.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 137

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.5 2.3 1.6

Natural gas 4.7 2.5 3.1 P P P 4.9 2.6 1.5

Fuel oil 11.8 3.8 4.6 P P P 11.4 3.5 2.0

District heat 15.1 8.7 8.9 P P P 14.3 7.0 4.6

District chilled water 20.4 11.7 11.3 P P P 19.3 10.5 3.7

Propane 14.9 10.7 10.0 P P P 12.4 8.2 4.7

Other 17.7 8.5 12.2 P P P 16.9 7.1 4.0

Space-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.0 2.4 3.8 P P P 4.8 2.1 1.7

Natural gas 4.6 2.4 3.3 P P P 5.2 2.9 1.6

Fuel oil 15.1 9.7 6.3 P P P 14.0 9.2 3.1

District heat 15.2 8.8 8.9 P P P 14.4 7.0 4.6

Propane 12.6 10.1 12.0 P P P 11.4 8.9 4.0

Other 24.9 14.8 18.0 P P P 26.3 15.4 5.4

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 6.2 4.0 5.7 P P P 5.5 3.1 2.3

Natural gas 4.7 2.4 2.7 P P P 5.4 2.9 1.6

Fuel oil 15.0 14.6 9.3 P P P 14.2 14.2 2.5

District heat 15.3 8.8 9.0 P P P 14.5 7.1 4.7

Propane 14.7 12.2 14.1 P P P 12.2 10.3 4.9

Other 36.3 22.4 13.3 P P P 38.7 25.0 4.7

Cooling energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 4.5 2.5 3.1 P P P 4.4 2.3 1.5

Natural gas 34.1 11.6 11.4 P P P 32.9 12.6 6.7

District chilled water 20.4 11.7 11.3 P P P 19.3 10.5 3.7

Water-heating energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.5 2.9 3.4 P P P 5.3 2.5 1.7

Natural gas 5.0 2.8 3.9 P P P 5.3 3.1 1.7

Fuel oil 23.4 10.0 6.3 P P P 23.4 10.4 5.6

District heat 14.1 10.2 10.1 P P P 13.9 8.5 4.8

Propane 16.1 10.8 11.9 P P P 15.7 9.3 6.2

Cooking energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 5.6 2.3 3.1 P P P 5.9 2.6 1.5

Natural gas 5.4 3.1 3.6 P P P 5.3 3.1 2.0

Propane 19.3 11.1 7.4 P P P 19.9 11.1 4.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 138

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 4.5 2.4 2.9 P P P 4.4 2.2 1.6

Buildings with cooling 4.7 2.6 3.0 P P P 4.4 2.2 1.6

Buildings with water heating 4.6 2.5 3.0 P P P 4.4 2.2 1.5

Buildings with cooking 5.3 2.7 2.8 P P P 5.2 2.7 1.6

Buildings with manufacturing 16.0 11.5 12.0 P P P 13.8 9.2 5.0

Buildings with electricity

generation 6.8 2.8 4.4 P P P 6.5 2.7 1.8

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 13.7 12.5 12.6 P P P 20.2 15.1 6.4

1 to 50 12.3 9.0 12.0 P P P 11.1 7.3 3.5

51 to 99 6.9 4.5 6.0 P P P 6.3 4.1 2.4

100 4.4 2.4 3.1 P P P 4.2 2.3 1.5

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 9.8 9.5 7.7 P P P 13.1 13.5 4.3

1 to 50 8.3 5.7 7.7 P P P 6.9 4.3 3.1

51 to 99 5.9 3.5 4.3 P P P 5.8 3.2 2.1

100 4.9 2.9 3.7 P P P 4.6 2.7 1.8

Percent lit when open

Zero 38.4 33.8 25.7 P P P 35.4 30.2 12.3

1 to 50 6.5 5.9 8.6 P P P 5.9 4.7 2.8

51 to 99 6.4 3.5 3.6 P P P 6.4 3.6 1.8

100 5.3 3.4 4.2 P P P 4.8 2.9 2.0

Building never open/electricity

not used 21.1 20.1 1.1 P P P 60.2 51.3 11.4

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 5.3 4.1 5.4 P P P 5.4 4.0 2.4

1 to 50 4.3 2.2 2.9 P P P 4.3 2.2 1.4

51 to 100 13.8 6.8 7.3 P P P 12.7 5.8 3.1

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 14.3 7.3 13.6 P P P 14.7 7.2 4.0

Electricity not used 0.0 0.0 0.0 P P P 0.0 0.0 0.0

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 8.0 3.5 5.7 P P P 7.3 3.1 2.0

Furnaces 7.2 4.8 6.1 P P P 6.9 4.8 2.5

Individual space heaters 5.9 3.3 3.0 P P P 6.2 3.8 1.8

District heat 15.2 8.8 8.9 P P P 14.4 7.0 4.6

Boilers 6.6 3.0 3.5 P P P 6.6 3.3 1.5

Packaged heating units 4.8 2.8 3.9 P P P 4.9 2.7 1.8

Other 19.9 8.5 10.4 P P P 20.1 8.7 4.2
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 139

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 5.9 4.6 5.1 P P P 6.1 4.5 3.1

Heat pumps 6.5 3.6 4.7 P P P 6.1 3.2 2.3

Individual air conditioners 6.9 3.9 5.1 P P P 6.7 4.0 2.0

District chilled water 20.4 11.7 11.3 P P P 19.3 10.5 3.7

Central chillers 6.6 2.8 4.3 P P P 7.1 3.1 1.9

Packaged air conditioning units 4.9 2.8 4.0 P P P 4.9 2.7 1.6

Swamp coolers 17.7 10.9 9.4 P P P 18.0 11.0 4.0

Other 78.7 22.4 26.3 P P P 79.0 27.4 10.5

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 4.4 3.2 3.7 P P P 4.3 3.3 1.9

Cooling 4.6 2.8 3.5 P P P 4.4 2.6 1.8

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 5.0 3.1 3.0 P P P 4.6 2.6 1.7

Distributed system 7.8 5.2 5.6 P P P 6.7 4.0 2.9

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 5.5 3.4 6.8 P P P 5.7 3.7 2.0

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 5.7 3.1 3.1 P P P 5.6 2.8 1.8

Standard fluorescent 4.7 2.5 3.0 P P P 4.5 2.2 1.6

Compact fluorescent 5.3 2.6 2.9 P P P 5.1 2.4 1.5

High-intensity discharge (HID) 7.9 3.9 3.9 P P P 7.4 3.2 2.2

Halogen 6.2 3.2 4.0 P P P 6.4 3.2 1.8

LED 6.4 3.5 4.4 P P P 6.0 3.1 2.1

Other 30.4 12.8 13.6 P P P 32.6 18.8 10.7

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 4.8 2.4 2.4 P P P 4.6 2.2 1.5

Walk-in units 4.9 2.9 3.4 P P P 4.7 2.6 1.6

Cases or cabinets 5.6 2.9 3.7 P P P 5.4 2.6 1.7

Large cold storage areas 11.6 6.0 7.2 P P P 11.6 5.3 3.4

Commercial ice makers 5.3 2.9 3.1 P P P 5.3 2.8 1.7

Residential-type or compact units 5.2 2.7 2.7 P P P 5.1 2.3 1.7

Vending machines 5.0 2.6 3.0 P P P 4.7 2.5 1.8

No refrigeration 8.4 6.3 13.0 P P P 10.7 6.9 3.8
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 140

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 4.7 2.6 3.1 P P P 4.3 2.2 1.6

With flat screen monitors 4.8 2.6 3.1 P P P 4.4 2.2 1.6

With multiple monitors 6.9 3.3 3.7 P P P 6.3 2.7 2.0

Laptop computers 5.4 2.7 3.2 P P P 5.0 2.3 1.6

Dedicated servers 5.9 2.7 3.0 P P P 5.4 2.3 1.7

Laser printers 5.3 3.0 3.2 P P P 4.9 2.6 1.6

Inkjet printers 5.1 2.8 3.9 P P P 4.8 2.5 2.1

FAX machines 5.2 2.8 2.8 P P P 4.7 2.2 1.6

Photocopiers 5.8 2.8 3.5 P P P 5.4 2.4 1.6

Number of desktop computers

None 8.3 8.4 6.2 P P P 11.8 11.7 3.3

1 to 4 4.6 4.6 5.4 P P P 3.9 4.0 2.2

5 to 9 8.4 6.7 14.9 P P P 7.6 5.7 2.8

10 to 19 7.3 5.3 6.2 P P P 6.8 4.7 2.6

20 to 49 6.3 3.9 5.4 P P P 5.9 3.8 2.9

50 to 99 7.4 4.6 6.6 P P P 6.7 4.0 3.1

100 to 249 10.4 8.2 7.8 P P P 8.5 6.3 2.9

250 or more 6.1 3.8 4.9 P P P 6.5 3.7 2.5

Number of laptop computers

None 5.1 4.0 4.1 P P P 6.5 4.1 2.6

1 to 4 5.1 4.5 4.7 P P P 4.3 3.8 2.5

5 to 9 13.4 9.7 6.5 P P P 11.6 7.4 3.5

10 to 19 7.9 5.8 5.3 P P P 8.3 6.2 2.6

20 to 49 9.5 6.3 9.2 P P P 7.9 4.6 3.0

50 to 99 9.8 6.6 14.2 P P P 9.7 6.1 3.3

100 to 249 11.0 5.9 8.5 P P P 10.1 4.9 4.1

250 or more 9.6 5.0 6.0 P P P 9.7 5.1 3.1

Number of dedicated servers

None 5.1 4.2 6.2 P P P 5.1 3.7 2.1

1 to 4 6.5 3.9 3.8 P P P 5.8 3.1 2.1

5 to 9 9.5 4.8 6.0 P P P 9.1 4.7 2.6

10 to 19 16.2 8.7 11.6 P P P 14.4 6.2 5.0

20 to 49 14.5 5.4 7.7 P P P 14.5 4.7 3.7

50 or more 10.9 6.2 9.2 P P P 10.9 6.3 4.4

Number of photocopiers

None 4.7 3.5 3.8 P P P 5.4 3.7 2.1

One 6.5 5.0 6.5 P P P 5.8 3.9 2.9

2 to 4 6.0 3.9 6.2 P P P 5.6 3.7 2.2

5 to 9 12.6 8.1 5.8 P P P 11.1 6.6 2.9

10 or more 10.2 4.2 6.3 P P P 10.0 3.8 2.7
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 141

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Number of TVs or video displays

None 5.1 4.5 7.8 P P P 5.4 4.3 2.2

One 5.7 5.3 6.5 P P P 5.1 4.5 2.3

2 to 4 6.3 4.6 5.5 P P P 5.7 4.3 2.5

5 to 9 8.3 6.1 6.6 P P P 7.6 5.9 3.4

10 to 19 12.3 7.8 6.7 P P P 11.1 6.5 3.1

20 to 49 7.3 3.4 5.8 P P P 7.7 4.1 2.0

50 to 99 10.4 4.8 9.5 P P P 8.4 5.7 5.4

100 or more 11.5 5.7 8.3 P P P 11.8 5.1 3.5

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 9.8 5.6 7.0 P P P 9.7 4.7 3.0

Fast food or small restaurant 8.3 4.3 5.9 P P P 7.6 3.2 2.7

Cafeteria or large restaurant 7.9 5.0 4.9 P P P 7.3 4.0 2.2

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 7.8 4.4 4.3 P P P 7.4 4.0 2.4

Small kitchen area 8.3 5.1 5.9 P P P 7.5 4.1 2.6

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 9.9 4.6 6.3 P P P 9.8 4.4 3.1

Computer-based training room 6.8 3.8 5.0 P P P 6.3 3.3 2.7

Student or public computer center 8.0 5.0 5.7 P P P 7.3 4.9 2.4

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 5.5 3.1 3.4 P P P 5.1 2.8 1.8

Regular HVAC maintenance 4.5 2.5 3.0 P P P 4.3 2.2 1.6

Building automation system (BAS)1 6.2 2.5 3.5 P P P 5.9 2.5 1.7

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 4.7 2.5 2.6 P P P 4.7 2.4 1.5

Tinted window glass 6.8 3.9 4.1 P P P 6.2 3.0 1.9

Reflective window glass 9.4 4.7 5.6 P P P 8.9 4.2 2.3

External overhangs or awnings 5.8 3.6 3.6 P P P 5.6 3.0 1.9

Skylights or atriums 10.4 5.4 5.2 P P P 9.8 4.5 2.1

Light scheduling 6.4 3.0 4.9 P P P 6.5 2.9 1.9

Occupancy sensors 7.0 2.8 3.7 P P P 6.3 2.1 1.6

Multi-level lighting or dimming 7.7 4.3 5.1 P P P 7.6 4.1 2.2

Daylight harvesting 12.8 5.1 8.8 P P P 13.1 4.4 3.0

Demand responsive lighting 17.4 8.4 8.6 P P P 17.4 7.7 4.0

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 9.0 3.4 5.8 P P P 9.3 3.6 2.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 142

25th

percentile Median

75th

percentile

All buildings 4.7 2.6 2.9 P P P 4.8 2.3 1.6

RSEs for Table C4. Sum of major fuel consumption and expenditure gross energy intensities, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

RSEs for sum of major fuel consumption 

RSEs for sum of major fuel 

expenditures

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

worker

RSEs not available for 

percentiles

per

building

per

square 

foot

per 

million

Btu

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 5.1 2.8 3.0 P P P 4.8 2.5 1.7

Cooling 5.3 2.8 3.0 P P P 5.1 2.5 1.8

Lighting 4.8 2.7 3.0 P P P 4.5 2.3 1.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 143

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 16.2 14.5 7.4 10.9 12.8 11.1 7.6 11.4 9.0 9.0 6.5 6.7

5,001 to 10,000 17.0 12.3 11.3 21.7 7.4 11.4 9.6 26.8 15.5 8.2 8.1 13.7

10,001 to 25,000 13.3 20.2 9.9 15.1 10.0 11.3 10.9 19.9 12.3 13.0 8.2 10.7

25,001 to 50,000 18.5 14.9 13.2 15.2 14.9 9.7 15.2 18.8 16.2 11.4 8.8 8.1

50,001 to 100,000 15.2 16.1 16.0 13.0 13.1 13.5 14.1 15.5 9.7 6.6 7.3 9.8

100,001 to 200,000 27.8 15.0 14.0 21.3 17.3 11.6 11.7 18.0 13.4 8.6 8.1 8.0

200,001 to 500,000 14.3 12.0 16.4 25.2 12.8 11.9 11.7 17.2 9.6 6.2 11.4 12.9

Over 500,000 12.4 14.8 17.9 29.5 9.4 19.5 19.1 18.7 8.2 8.4 11.7 16.4

Principal building activity

Education 17.8 11.2 12.3 14.0 10.5 7.6 11.2 18.4 14.1 8.2 4.2 7.8

Food sales 25.7 30.0 16.5 24.3 24.1 31.5 14.6 32.0 7.9 9.8 7.5 14.9

Food service 24.9 22.8 15.3 21.2 16.5 17.8 11.6 17.4 18.7 13.6 10.3 15.0

Health care 17.9 15.7 13.0 29.9 15.8 11.4 11.6 21.7 5.3 8.0 6.6 12.1

Inpatient 16.1 13.4 12.1 36.3 16.4 11.0 11.1 27.6 5.6 5.0 4.8 13.0

Outpatient 28.5 33.4 29.3 17.2 23.2 21.7 22.3 18.1 10.5 18.8 17.4 7.1

Lodging 17.1 16.4 14.3 28.7 14.2 18.0 15.1 17.8 8.1 5.7 7.6 19.2

Mercantile 17.7 13.4 19.3 17.6 14.5 12.3 16.1 16.6 7.8 6.1 5.4 5.6

Retail (other than mall) 18.9 11.9 18.2 22.1 17.4 14.0 14.4 19.2 9.7 10.6 8.5 9.2

Enclosed and strip malls 23.1 19.9 24.8 21.2 17.6 17.6 23.0 20.0 10.7 6.5 5.2 5.8

Office 18.5 12.6 11.1 10.0 10.4 12.9 11.7 12.7 11.3 3.6 4.4 6.8

Public assembly 21.6 23.4 16.3 16.9 15.1 18.5 17.9 18.2 17.5 18.2 9.5 12.3

Public order and safety 44.5 19.8 25.8 39.1 30.6 22.5 21.8 45.2 21.6 15.6 11.0 20.6

Religious worship 35.1 15.9 14.2 20.0 23.7 14.8 14.2 18.8 22.3 9.6 10.1 12.1

Service 24.7 14.6 12.4 29.5 21.2 13.5 13.7 31.3 18.7 8.7 9.3 15.0

Warehouse and storage 19.0 20.6 20.4 32.9 16.5 15.2 17.4 31.9 15.3 11.9 19.6 15.5

Other 43.0 42.2 30.9 39.3 28.6 29.5 29.1 28.4 22.6 40.3 25.3 32.8

Vacant 44.9 41.8 23.4 44.6 28.2 25.8 24.6 19.1 40.0 38.1 31.1 27.2

Year constructed

Before 1920 18.8 14.5 25.3 33.9 22.5 13.1 23.5 25.5 16.3 15.7 14.3 16.1

1920 to 1945 10.9 18.7 17.1 36.9 11.5 15.3 17.6 20.3 9.3 13.6 14.1 23.8

1946 to 1959 18.5 16.7 16.1 10.6 14.3 12.5 17.8 11.8 12.4 7.1 10.8 9.8

1960 to 1969 17.4 14.1 15.4 16.4 13.5 11.7 12.6 16.8 10.4 8.1 11.1 11.1

1970 to 1979 25.3 10.3 7.7 15.2 14.5 8.8 9.8 22.5 13.9 6.5 8.9 11.9

1980 to 1989 18.2 14.4 12.6 16.0 10.3 12.9 8.4 19.0 16.4 8.3 7.6 7.5

1990 to 1999 14.1 12.8 8.3 12.0 11.3 13.2 7.7 11.9 7.5 6.9 4.9 9.5

2000 to 2003 22.1 21.2 12.8 15.6 17.7 14.9 12.9 16.2 15.9 13.3 6.1 11.6

2004 to 2007 24.8 16.8 25.5 32.5 19.3 20.1 21.6 39.1 16.9 7.6 8.3 21.9

2008 to 2012 24.7 28.6 40.2 50.9 21.5 22.8 32.5 33.3 13.7 19.1 12.3 25.5

Number of floors

One 12.9 9.6 11.1 16.7 11.2 9.8 10.6 20.0 11.7 5.7 6.1 7.0

Two 21.2 9.1 13.3 12.7 13.1 7.7 10.5 14.0 13.7 5.6 7.5 8.7

Three 18.6 18.6 13.5 19.2 10.6 11.1 13.7 17.0 15.7 11.4 7.7 9.6

Four to nine 10.7 9.8 14.6 19.8 10.7 9.9 16.4 18.6 7.8 6.6 6.5 10.9

Ten or more 14.4 14.1 19.3 35.7 10.9 19.1 22.2 23.8 6.3 6.9 5.3 16.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 144

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Elevators and escalators 

(more than one may apply)

Any elevators 11.5 9.3 9.7 12.9 8.3 7.0 9.5 11.3 5.8 4.1 4.2 6.6

Number of elevators

One 29.9 15.7 12.8 14.3 13.9 10.0 11.4 11.3 20.5 7.4 6.6 9.4

Two to five 17.8 14.3 14.7 17.6 14.2 11.9 13.1 17.5 8.4 8.5 6.6 9.6

Six or more 12.7 11.4 14.1 25.4 10.6 15.0 17.8 18.1 4.9 6.4 6.1 10.4

Any escalators 17.3 33.5 19.1 41.2 21.6 34.2 19.1 26.9 11.4 11.5 11.1 21.2

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 12.7 18.5 8.5 11.3 16.6 12.0 12.3 15.2 10.4 13.8 9.5 10.8

5 to 9 15.8 15.3 8.5 18.9 13.2 12.3 7.4 21.4 8.9 8.7 7.6 9.8

10 to 19 15.3 18.9 10.9 18.8 11.2 14.2 11.9 24.2 12.2 9.3 8.2 12.9

20 to 49 16.1 13.0 13.3 14.2 12.8 7.3 9.6 17.0 8.9 8.5 9.3 9.2

50 to 99 14.9 16.1 14.0 18.5 10.1 10.5 11.2 18.0 11.9 8.6 7.2 4.9

100 to 249 11.8 13.1 19.8 18.1 11.5 11.8 18.9 15.7 4.3 8.3 6.4 6.2

250 or more 14.2 11.6 12.1 19.5 9.8 13.2 14.9 13.8 6.6 4.5 5.2 9.0

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 21.8 13.1 13.2 19.4 18.7 10.9 16.4 17.1 19.8 12.9 10.3 16.5

40 to 48 15.0 10.5 13.9 16.0 15.8 8.6 11.9 18.9 10.5 5.7 12.3 9.4

49 to 60 12.9 15.3 10.7 12.5 7.7 10.8 10.5 18.8 11.6 7.7 5.6 8.0

61 to 84 10.2 11.9 9.8 17.6 9.8 12.0 9.2 15.3 6.7 7.2 4.1 6.7

85 to 167 19.1 12.9 15.2 17.6 18.7 12.9 13.1 26.5 9.6 6.4 8.8 18.2

Open continuously 15.6 13.4 9.1 17.4 11.6 10.2 9.3 14.5 7.7 8.2 5.9 7.7

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 9.3 6.7 6.9 9.6 7.0 6.0 7.5 12.6 6.2 3.2 4.8 4.8

Business owner or tenant 16.6 18.0 19.9 27.8 11.2 13.1 19.7 25.8 13.2 11.6 7.6 17.3

Property management 39.4 38.9 24.5 35.1 31.8 37.3 20.6 34.6 17.9 22.3 16.2 12.8

Other 40.3 38.6 31.3 43.3 25.0 35.4 29.0 25.9 24.1 17.4 16.9 41.0

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 8.9 6.8 7.0 10.0 6.7 6.2 7.5 12.9 6.2 3.1 4.8 4.6

Business owner or tenant 19.7 14.6 17.0 29.4 11.6 14.2 18.1 26.5 13.5 12.3 7.4 20.3

Property management 51.9 48.6 28.3 51.0 45.1 41.7 24.3 49.1 15.9 20.3 17.9 22.9

Other 32.4 49.9 30.1 36.1 20.1 34.7 24.1 34.4 21.4 29.8 12.8 11.2

Number of establishments

One 12.9 8.5 7.2 13.4 9.1 7.3 8.1 16.1 8.4 4.9 5.4 5.8

2 to 5 7.4 14.9 10.2 14.4 8.0 10.4 11.3 14.8 6.8 7.2 6.8 9.0

6 to 10 19.2 24.7 16.4 20.3 16.7 21.7 19.5 24.5 10.6 9.8 9.0 13.0

11 to 20 25.5 22.0 30.8 22.3 21.9 20.6 27.1 19.0 8.8 6.3 7.8 14.3

More than 20 22.2 22.8 22.2 19.2 16.4 23.7 16.5 15.1 14.3 7.6 16.2 10.4

Currently unoccupied 42.7 56.4 30.4 50.3 33.9 41.0 41.5 32.1 25.0 39.1 32.7 33.1
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 145

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 11.1 8.1 9.5 11.8 8.3 5.6 9.1 13.5 6.4 5.1 5.5 5.7

Concrete (block or poured) 19.4 9.2 9.8 12.9 11.8 9.8 10.0 17.3 12.6 7.2 5.6 8.4

Concrete panels 25.5 14.6 15.2 24.3 20.2 15.0 15.5 28.7 15.2 10.4 10.8 11.0

Siding or shingles 24.5 26.0 10.6 34.2 22.1 23.6 11.2 23.8 13.3 17.4 10.6 15.4

Metal panels 28.5 16.5 20.8 17.5 14.4 15.3 15.1 15.7 22.0 9.6 17.5 11.2

Window glass 34.0 23.4 27.9 33.5 24.5 29.7 24.7 28.2 20.0 27.9 10.2 28.0

Other 47.1 50.0 33.5 53.3 68.0 36.9 41.6 41.6 86.8 24.6 24.1 13.5

No one major type 19.0 33.0 34.1 60.3 32.8 43.8 39.0 51.2 30.6 28.7 37.2 23.6

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 29.4 16.8 11.8 18.0 16.8 11.8 10.9 18.5 25.8 10.9 9.2 9.6

Synthetic or rubber 12.4 11.0 12.6 16.2 8.8 8.5 14.4 15.0 7.7 4.6 7.3 8.0

Built-up 15.8 10.2 7.5 11.9 11.2 9.4 7.3 14.9 9.9 5.5 4.4 9.3

Slate or tile shingles 25.6 25.8 24.2 20.8 20.0 21.8 28.6 15.0 14.0 17.9 8.9 10.6

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 42.5 30.1 21.6 22.0 34.2 37.0 19.9 32.8 32.4 20.0 17.6 18.2

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 11.7 13.9 10.2 14.6 9.0 12.7 8.1 17.7 8.1 5.3 6.6 7.1

Concrete 26.6 67.6 21.3 20.5 26.1 44.3 22.6 24.0 11.6 58.9 17.9 12.2

Other 48.0 53.4 37.9 70.3 41.5 40.7 33.2 65.1 14.6 37.8 12.7 18.7

No one major type 43.3 63.8 45.3 53.6 58.0 36.6 39.1 64.5 74.6 47.9 17.0 17.2

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 9.5 7.5 7.8 12.3 6.5 7.0 7.7 16.9 5.5 3.6 4.9 7.9

Shallow pitch 12.9 11.9 13.0 14.8 13.2 9.1 11.5 16.0 11.2 7.5 7.3 6.9

Steeper pitch 14.8 15.8 9.7 14.5 14.8 14.3 9.4 10.7 9.3 7.4 7.0 7.1

Cool roof 20.7 10.1 11.5 17.5 14.2 11.3 10.4 15.2 11.3 5.1 5.3 6.7

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 11.7 8.5 6.7 8.7 7.3 6.4 7.2 10.4 8.0 4.4 5.0 6.0

Addition or annex 8.8 10.9 8.5 25.5 7.7 8.7 9.2 17.4 6.5 5.2 6.8 12.1

Reduction in floorspace 69.0 31.9 21.5 27.7 47.9 25.7 18.4 32.4 36.3 22.3 18.0 21.6

Roof replacement 17.6 10.9 9.0 11.4 9.2 7.8 7.9 11.9 11.0 6.2 7.3 7.1

Exterior wall replacement 15.1 22.2 20.7 26.5 15.3 17.0 13.8 16.0 6.8 11.6 17.7 18.7

Interior wall reconfiguration 11.3 10.1 9.4 12.2 7.5 7.6 8.9 12.3 7.5 6.0 6.5 8.7

Window replacement 7.2 12.9 11.6 26.4 7.4 11.2 7.7 18.0 6.9 10.2 10.0 15.8

HVAC equipment upgrade 13.8 8.4 7.3 11.3 7.0 6.7 7.4 9.6 8.9 5.9 6.4 6.5

Lighting upgrade 8.0 10.3 8.9 10.5 6.7 7.7 9.8 10.8 5.8 6.0 6.7 7.2

Electrical upgrade 12.2 11.5 10.3 18.1 11.4 9.6 9.7 14.9 5.9 6.7 9.0 12.3

Plumbing system upgrade 14.0 13.1 12.1 17.3 13.0 9.4 10.7 13.3 7.8 8.4 10.0 10.6

Insulation upgrade 15.0 15.1 18.2 28.3 12.0 12.6 13.2 18.0 10.2 11.1 15.4 14.5

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 10.3 13.1 10.3 12.1 8.8 10.2 9.7 11.4 6.1 6.4 8.0 8.6

Structural upgrade 15.4 22.6 26.9 31.8 18.0 16.8 17.4 19.1 14.5 13.3 22.9 21.6

Other 42.3 61.7 37.4 52.8 38.2 51.0 49.6 48.4 16.5 21.2 41.3 28.9

No renovations 11.6 10.1 8.4 14.0 8.5 9.2 7.2 18.6 6.0 4.6 5.9 7.1

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 24.7 28.6 40.2 50.9 21.5 22.8 32.5 33.3 13.7 19.1 12.3 25.5
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 146

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

Natural gas 11.3 7.1 9.7 11.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 5.9 3.5 5.0 5.5

Fuel oil 8.5 11.8 9.8 18.4 9.7 9.6 10.1 13.6 9.3 6.4 6.1 8.5

District heat 27.2 25.2 24.6 35.9 19.2 20.6 27.8 25.2 13.5 11.5 9.5 18.6

District chilled water 47.5 24.2 21.2 40.5 38.8 25.6 25.5 27.0 17.2 13.6 11.4 20.9

Propane 21.4 23.3 16.0 32.7 16.8 19.1 12.6 23.5 20.4 12.4 14.1 18.8

Other 25.5 30.4 19.3 23.9 22.7 17.7 16.1 25.1 13.1 18.4 10.0 12.8

Space-heating energy sources 

Electricity 11.4 7.3 8.9 12.0 8.7 6.7 8.4 13.2 5.6 2.9 3.8 6.3

Electricity main 17.8 11.2 8.8 15.1 11.2 12.4 8.3 18.0 11.4 4.1 5.3 8.5

Electricity secondary 11.9 8.4 15.0 11.7 9.7 7.4 12.9 11.4 5.5 4.1 5.3 6.5

Other excluding electricity 12.1 9.2 11.5 15.3 9.6 6.8 14.3 16.0 9.2 5.2 8.5 7.5

Buildings without heating 52.0 42.6 17.9 27.1 31.8 22.2 12.9 30.8 54.5 41.6 14.4 11.8

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 17.8 11.2 8.8 15.1 11.2 12.4 8.3 18.0 11.4 4.1 5.3 8.5

Natural gas 9.1 7.0 13.2 12.1 7.4 6.0 12.9 12.5 4.7 4.1 6.5 5.7

Fuel oil 19.0 76.9 22.6 61.6 26.1 24.8 27.7 60.4 16.8 75.6 28.2 68.6

District heat 27.4 25.9 25.1 36.6 19.4 20.5 28.6 25.9 13.7 11.8 9.8 19.0

Propane 26.7 34.6 31.0 30.0 23.9 24.4 17.9 30.8 19.6 17.8 26.5 15.0

Other 22.5 76.1 72.7 78.9 43.4 53.0 59.8 78.9 31.3 45.2 29.0 15.1

Cooling energy sources

Electricity 8.2 6.9 8.2 12.5 5.7 6.1 7.7 15.2 5.4 3.1 4.0 6.6

Other excluding electricity 57.0 33.8 27.8 57.5 42.6 32.5 31.7 35.8 26.6 10.4 14.4 33.5

Buildings without cooling 25.3 20.7 21.4 23.3 28.6 15.6 23.0 17.4 23.8 16.9 18.6 23.4

Water-heating energy sources

Electricity 9.6 8.4 9.2 12.5 8.2 7.2 8.4 15.2 7.1 4.7 4.6 7.4

Other excluding electricity 11.7 9.5 10.2 12.5 7.7 8.2 12.1 13.5 6.9 5.1 5.9 6.6

Buildings without water heating 41.4 28.4 16.5 28.4 22.1 17.7 17.5 27.4 31.4 24.4 12.3 10.9

Cooking energy sources

Electricity 10.6 7.9 9.4 15.8 8.3 7.1 7.9 13.6 5.9 5.3 3.9 6.8

Other excluding electricity 22.6 14.4 11.4 16.3 14.8 10.6 8.7 13.4 10.6 7.8 6.2 6.3

Buildings without cooking 9.2 9.7 9.1 14.9 8.5 7.6 10.6 19.2 7.6 5.1 6.6 5.8

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 8.4 7.0 8.3 11.5 6.3 5.8 8.3 13.3 5.8 3.1 4.3 5.5

Buildings with cooling 8.7 7.1 8.0 12.3 6.3 6.2 7.9 15.0 4.9 3.0 4.0 6.4

Buildings with water heating 8.7 7.1 8.2 11.5 6.4 5.9 8.1 13.9 5.5 3.0 4.1 6.1

Buildings with cooking 12.6 6.8 8.9 13.2 8.5 5.7 6.8 11.8 5.8 3.9 4.2 5.0

Buildings with manufacturing 21.2 28.4 30.8 19.6 15.2 17.4 22.0 30.3 18.3 16.1 26.4 19.9

Buildings with electricity

generation 8.0 10.3 9.9 15.3 6.6 8.4 9.7 13.2 4.3 5.5 5.5 5.0
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 147

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 52.0 42.6 17.9 27.1 31.8 22.2 12.9 30.8 54.5 41.6 14.4 11.8

1 to 50 27.3 28.8 14.0 20.4 25.8 20.6 12.8 25.0 33.0 16.0 10.0 17.3

51 to 99 11.2 11.8 12.7 15.7 10.0 11.1 8.2 14.7 6.6 7.9 8.8 7.7

100 10.1 7.9 8.6 11.4 6.8 6.4 9.4 11.3 5.8 3.7 4.1 4.8

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 25.3 20.7 21.4 23.3 28.6 15.6 23.0 17.4 23.8 16.9 18.6 23.4

1 to 50 12.6 11.3 12.7 22.6 8.7 9.6 14.5 28.8 10.9 8.4 8.2 13.7

51 to 99 8.4 15.0 11.8 11.2 8.3 13.4 8.4 11.2 4.8 4.5 8.6 6.4

100 15.2 7.2 7.8 13.9 11.6 6.8 8.7 13.4 7.6 4.1 3.7 5.8

Percent lit when open

Zero 71.4 50.3 49.2 63.0 79.7 44.7 35.1 46.0 196.3 31.9 38.7 40.0

1 to 50 13.2 17.4 9.8 21.0 16.1 12.1 10.2 23.8 13.2 9.5 9.6 9.4

51 to 99 9.0 10.7 12.5 12.3 7.4 7.8 9.5 13.5 6.4 5.5 6.5 8.9

100 13.0 6.5 7.3 14.4 7.1 7.1 7.7 14.8 9.0 3.5 5.6 4.6

Building never open/electricity

not used 28.3 48.7 26.9 41.7 29.2 22.2 33.8 26.0 24.3 46.1 24.8 28.8

Percent lit during off hours

Zero 17.7 11.2 9.6 14.4 11.7 8.4 11.5 18.6 16.3 8.4 6.7 6.3

1 to 50 7.2 6.8 9.0 13.6 7.3 6.3 7.9 14.4 3.9 2.9 4.3 5.3

51 to 100 24.9 16.9 13.9 18.5 19.5 13.6 13.3 17.3 8.9 9.3 10.1 9.8

Building always open with 

no "off hours" 34.8 27.7 17.3 27.9 30.2 25.6 16.0 26.7 24.6 9.7 10.0 13.3

Electricity not used 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 12.5 16.2 11.6 13.3 10.7 15.0 10.3 13.4 5.3 7.9 5.3 5.5

Furnaces 17.3 15.1 11.6 22.6 11.8 14.7 14.9 15.9 11.1 5.7 7.8 12.9

Individual space heaters 14.1 11.6 8.1 11.1 10.4 10.3 9.5 12.9 10.8 5.6 5.8 7.6

District heat 27.2 25.2 24.8 36.6 19.2 20.6 28.0 25.9 13.5 11.5 9.6 19.0

Boilers 8.3 6.9 9.2 16.6 6.7 5.2 10.7 13.1 6.1 4.5 5.7 8.9

Packaged heating units 11.6 7.9 9.8 14.4 8.1 6.7 9.3 15.3 7.4 3.6 5.0 6.5

Other 36.3 38.7 30.7 23.1 33.1 31.7 26.6 24.6 12.9 16.5 14.8 23.0

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 20.1 10.6 9.4 17.1 12.3 12.0 11.4 23.4 15.4 8.0 6.1 11.8

Heat pumps 14.2 14.5 11.3 11.3 14.5 12.8 10.4 12.9 6.7 6.5 5.3 5.1

Individual air conditioners 11.5 13.0 9.5 16.6 8.8 12.5 8.2 18.8 6.6 6.3 7.6 8.4

District chilled water 47.5 24.2 21.2 40.5 38.8 25.6 25.5 27.0 17.2 13.6 11.4 20.9

Central chillers 12.5 8.7 9.3 14.6 9.9 8.1 7.9 11.6 5.3 4.0 5.5 9.4

Packaged air conditioning units 7.7 8.8 9.7 14.9 6.1 7.7 8.6 15.2 5.2 3.8 5.3 7.3

Swamp coolers 87.5 37.3 34.9 19.4 73.0 39.2 32.5 17.8 53.5 19.6 31.8 12.6

Other 77.7 57.3 41.9 72.8 59.7 52.9 29.3 44.8 78.0 35.7 22.4 66.1
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 148

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 12.8 6.9 8.6 12.0 6.3 6.1 7.4 14.2 11.0 3.9 5.9 6.0

Cooling 11.7 10.2 6.5 11.1 7.1 7.6 6.0 14.4 7.0 5.0 4.5 5.6

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 11.6 8.5 8.4 12.3 7.9 7.3 8.6 14.1 6.9 3.9 4.8 6.1

Distributed system 13.2 12.7 12.4 18.6 8.8 7.9 11.5 22.4 9.6 7.8 7.8 9.5

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 9.6 9.8 12.4 14.5 8.6 8.9 9.4 12.4 7.8 7.0 6.7 6.7

Lighting equipment types

(more than one may apply)

Incandescent 12.1 7.7 9.0 11.8 7.9 6.5 7.4 12.0 7.5 3.9 5.4 6.4

Standard fluorescent 8.4 7.1 7.7 12.1 5.9 5.8 8.0 14.3 5.3 3.0 4.3 5.9

Compact fluorescent 9.3 8.3 9.2 11.3 6.7 6.6 8.1 11.7 5.4 3.4 4.6 6.2

High-intensity discharge (HID) 13.1 11.0 10.4 16.3 9.9 9.8 8.2 14.1 8.4 5.2 5.4 8.7

Halogen 8.0 11.0 12.6 16.1 8.0 7.3 9.8 12.2 5.5 5.8 5.4 7.5

LED 9.0 9.5 12.9 15.0 9.7 7.4 9.8 14.1 5.6 4.7 6.1 5.9

Other 44.1 53.3 28.4 47.4 47.0 53.1 27.3 41.8 20.5 27.8 12.7 15.6

Refrigeration equipment

(more than one may apply)

Any refrigeration 8.7 7.4 7.7 11.2 6.3 5.8 7.5 12.6 4.9 3.3 4.2 5.9

Walk-in units 11.5 7.6 9.6 12.5 9.9 5.3 7.6 11.2 4.0 4.9 4.4 4.2

Cases or cabinets 11.1 6.7 11.6 14.3 9.4 5.6 9.7 12.1 4.5 3.7 4.3 4.9

Large cold storage areas 16.5 21.9 18.9 17.7 14.6 19.9 19.2 19.2 13.3 12.5 8.5 8.6

Commercial ice makers 13.5 8.6 9.2 13.1 10.5 7.5 7.4 11.1 5.2 4.8 5.2 4.6

Residential-type or compact units 8.8 7.9 8.9 11.1 6.5 5.9 8.5 13.6 5.2 4.0 4.7 6.3

Vending machines 11.6 7.2 9.5 13.9 8.1 6.3 8.5 13.6 5.3 3.3 5.0 5.4

No refrigeration 26.1 29.5 17.0 24.1 15.2 19.7 13.6 24.1 21.9 15.0 10.3 5.9

Office equipment

(more than one may apply)

Desktop computers 8.2 7.1 8.0 12.4 6.1 5.9 8.0 14.8 4.9 3.0 4.1 6.5

With flat screen monitors 8.3 7.0 8.2 12.5 6.2 5.8 8.0 15.0 5.0 2.9 4.0 6.5

With multiple monitors 12.9 8.6 8.9 12.5 9.1 8.2 9.5 13.4 6.6 4.3 4.6 6.5

Laptop computers 9.1 7.6 9.0 11.2 5.9 6.3 8.6 13.2 6.2 3.6 4.3 6.3

Dedicated servers 9.3 6.5 9.4 12.5 5.8 6.1 8.6 14.8 5.4 2.8 3.8 6.5

Laser printers 11.2 9.0 8.7 12.9 7.4 6.3 8.8 14.1 6.1 4.5 4.3 7.3

Inkjet printers 7.9 8.6 9.5 14.5 8.4 9.1 8.3 17.6 5.7 5.8 4.9 6.6

FAX machines 9.0 7.2 8.9 11.1 6.0 6.4 7.9 14.7 5.4 3.1 3.9 6.0

Photocopiers 9.5 8.1 9.4 12.7 7.0 6.3 8.2 14.3 5.7 3.1 4.4 6.9

Number of desktop computers

None 45.6 20.4 15.1 19.3 22.7 11.3 14.6 21.0 43.8 20.6 11.3 17.9

1 to 4 8.8 14.4 7.4 10.4 10.8 10.5 8.7 16.0 6.9 10.3 8.2 9.3

5 to 9 23.8 16.9 14.7 17.1 14.5 15.1 11.8 23.9 14.4 10.8 7.4 14.1

10 to 19 20.9 14.0 11.8 21.7 14.1 11.5 12.8 24.3 12.0 7.6 7.2 11.7

20 to 49 13.4 12.9 17.6 18.4 11.0 10.4 13.9 17.4 10.7 6.7 9.2 6.1

50 to 99 14.4 21.2 13.7 24.3 11.8 15.5 13.1 22.1 11.9 9.4 6.6 8.3

100 to 249 25.5 13.4 15.3 19.5 15.6 11.4 14.4 11.8 14.9 9.5 8.7 11.1

250 or more 10.0 11.7 12.2 17.2 9.0 9.7 14.9 11.8 6.4 6.2 6.2 9.7
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 149

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

Number of laptop computers

None 12.9 11.1 8.0 17.0 10.0 7.4 8.4 19.5 9.3 7.8 8.3 6.3

1 to 4 12.4 11.5 10.4 14.7 8.2 9.4 9.4 18.5 10.5 8.7 8.0 8.6

5 to 9 36.4 17.4 12.3 21.2 21.4 11.7 13.4 21.4 21.8 10.0 8.2 10.0

10 to 19 18.1 13.9 19.6 30.2 12.9 13.1 15.7 20.4 12.3 7.2 7.4 15.5

20 to 49 14.8 12.9 14.2 20.9 16.7 11.2 14.5 15.5 7.7 6.3 5.9 12.0

50 to 99 19.3 20.6 17.7 17.6 17.9 16.6 15.2 16.2 10.8 11.8 13.1 8.7

100 to 249 10.1 18.4 17.9 12.4 11.6 17.1 18.2 14.1 7.8 10.4 12.9 9.0

250 or more 18.1 13.6 16.1 21.0 14.3 16.4 18.0 20.3 11.3 7.6 8.6 9.6

Number of dedicated servers

None 14.1 13.2 6.9 14.0 11.2 9.6 9.3 15.7 9.7 7.7 7.6 4.2

1 to 4 15.2 6.9 12.1 14.5 8.5 6.3 9.8 18.4 9.0 4.0 4.7 7.2

5 to 9 17.8 16.0 14.3 20.5 11.3 14.2 16.6 20.2 13.7 6.1 7.1 9.8

10 to 19 15.3 20.7 17.3 25.9 14.3 21.7 16.9 18.4 6.9 8.2 7.8 15.0

20 to 49 21.9 18.3 14.4 17.1 19.8 18.7 16.1 14.1 10.9 14.1 6.6 10.4

50 or more 19.0 14.0 25.4 34.7 19.3 13.3 28.5 25.3 15.3 7.2 18.7 16.7

Number of photocopiers

None 11.7 10.4 7.1 14.2 10.2 8.7 9.2 16.9 9.7 7.2 6.5 7.3

One 18.9 19.3 11.7 17.9 13.0 13.3 11.0 22.2 14.6 9.6 5.7 9.4

2 to 4 11.1 12.6 13.6 14.8 10.2 8.0 9.9 14.6 7.3 6.2 8.4 7.6

5 to 9 32.4 14.3 15.8 18.4 18.5 10.6 12.2 13.1 17.8 7.2 9.9 9.9

10 or more 10.2 13.1 12.9 19.6 8.6 13.4 14.4 13.8 5.4 5.2 4.4 8.4

Number of TVs or video displays

None 10.9 10.7 8.1 12.4 12.5 9.4 10.7 20.0 10.1 8.5 8.3 9.4

One 13.9 22.4 8.6 16.8 11.0 13.5 9.9 17.5 10.0 13.7 7.9 10.9

2 to 4 13.1 15.1 12.8 15.2 11.3 10.4 9.6 17.0 8.1 8.5 7.4 7.9

5 to 9 25.2 16.6 14.4 19.3 14.0 13.3 12.3 21.6 18.5 6.8 11.8 14.3

10 to 19 32.4 14.6 16.1 14.0 22.8 11.5 14.7 13.4 16.2 9.6 7.6 6.7

20 to 49 16.4 13.3 18.5 15.9 16.0 12.9 15.1 14.7 8.4 5.0 8.0 7.8

50 to 99 17.6 18.1 23.1 36.2 14.2 17.3 24.2 32.0 11.5 8.7 13.6 8.8

100 or more 15.6 14.1 10.7 28.0 17.6 13.9 14.3 19.7 6.8 5.4 7.8 12.6

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 18.1 10.1 13.4 21.0 12.9 11.2 11.5 17.5 7.8 7.2 6.9 10.2

Fast food or small restaurant 14.7 10.4 12.6 16.4 12.9 10.4 13.5 16.0 5.0 5.3 4.7 7.4

Cafeteria or large restaurant 18.7 7.7 9.1 21.1 12.8 7.5 8.7 15.3 8.5 5.1 4.7 9.9

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 17.5 9.1 8.9 22.8 11.7 6.6 8.8 18.4 8.9 5.3 5.1 8.3

Small kitchen area 12.3 12.7 9.7 19.2 9.7 9.6 9.1 17.1 7.4 7.3 5.8 13.1

Separate computer areas

(more than one may apply)

Data center or server farm 13.7 10.7 13.9 17.4 10.3 9.7 14.9 12.7 8.3 6.2 8.1 9.1

Computer-based training room 9.2 8.4 11.0 18.5 8.1 8.3 10.5 17.7 6.4 6.1 4.1 7.4

Student or public computer center 11.7 11.0 11.6 27.8 9.4 9.0 11.4 16.7 7.8 5.9 5.1 14.7
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 150

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 8.3 7.0 8.0 11.8 6.2 5.9 8.0 14.5 5.8 3.3 4.4 5.5

RSEs for total electricity

consumption 

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using electricity

RSEs for electricity 

energy intensity 

RSEs for Table C15. Electricity consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE VERSION

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 12.2 8.4 12.0 14.1 8.5 8.0 11.6 12.2 5.8 3.5 4.9 5.6

Regular HVAC maintenance 8.6 7.1 8.7 12.2 5.9 6.1 8.4 14.3 5.6 3.1 3.8 6.0

Building automation system (BAS)1 9.9 8.2 10.6 14.1 8.0 7.0 9.3 12.8 4.4 2.9 4.2 5.8

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 8.7 7.3 10.0 13.5 7.2 6.7 8.9 14.0 5.7 3.3 4.6 5.6

Tinted window glass 13.3 8.3 9.9 13.8 9.8 6.6 9.0 18.2 6.2 4.7 5.0 7.0

Reflective window glass 19.6 10.9 14.0 20.0 12.9 8.8 11.3 17.0 12.9 6.5 7.6 8.5

External overhangs or awnings 15.5 8.0 9.2 12.8 11.0 8.0 8.1 14.1 7.6 4.9 5.3 5.7

Skylights or atriums 16.4 9.9 12.4 13.2 8.8 9.3 10.7 16.4 10.3 5.2 5.5 9.8

Light scheduling 10.7 8.3 12.4 15.2 7.8 7.8 10.6 14.3 6.4 3.8 4.6 5.9

Occupancy sensors 7.2 7.6 10.7 11.2 7.6 6.1 10.3 13.7 4.4 3.6 4.3 5.6

Multi-level lighting or dimming 16.4 12.2 14.2 16.3 11.7 11.4 10.2 12.4 9.2 5.9 6.0 7.1

Daylight harvesting 16.0 17.8 16.0 19.6 16.2 13.8 13.8 20.6 7.9 8.1 9.4 5.3

Demand responsive lighting 21.4 21.8 32.0 30.3 25.7 20.4 25.3 38.8 21.0 8.4 10.7 11.7

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting1 14.5 12.1 17.4 18.1 13.3 11.0 14.4 17.2 6.7 6.9 5.9 7.5

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 9.5 5.9 9.8 11.2 6.1 5.5 8.8 14.6 7.3 3.8 4.7 5.6

Cooling 10.5 6.0 9.5 12.1 7.0 5.7 8.3 15.7 6.1 3.0 4.4 6.1

Lighting 9.1 6.9 8.9 11.1 6.6 5.9 8.5 13.8 5.8 3.2 4.3 6.0

Annual consumption

(kilowatthours)

10,000 or less 24.4 18.7 17.5 14.6 27.4 14.7 23.4 19.8 12.6 10.1 9.7 11.8

10,001 to 50,000 10.0 10.6 9.8 20.9 12.5 12.7 11.8 22.2 7.2 5.9 5.5 4.9

50,001 to 100,000 9.2 9.6 9.9 24.0 11.7 11.4 13.8 30.4 7.4 8.5 6.5 11.5

100,001 to 500,000 7.7 11.9 7.7 12.7 9.0 9.6 10.8 15.8 6.7 5.4 5.4 6.0

500,001 to 1,000,000 19.9 12.7 9.4 12.0 15.4 10.3 10.0 11.4 11.3 7.9 7.1 6.5

1,000,001 to 5,000,000 12.3 12.3 11.9 15.6 11.1 10.3 11.0 16.7 4.8 5.9 4.9 6.0

Over 5,000,000 13.7 12.2 14.1 17.8 11.6 12.5 13.4 15.5 5.7 6.3 9.0 8.4
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 151

Release date: May 2016

Revised date: August 2016

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

Building floorspace (square feet)

1,001 to 5,000 16.9 11.1 12.2 13.9 11.6 9.8 10.3 12.2 16.5 8.3 9.7 8.7

5,001 to 10,000 16.6 17.8 19.0 14.5 13.4 11.5 14.8 22.0 14.3 12.0 13.5 16.5

10,001 to 25,000 20.5 16.6 18.7 13.3 10.0 13.5 15.8 17.1 13.9 8.6 10.6 11.4

25,001 to 50,000 20.5 15.2 20.0 13.0 15.3 10.0 18.4 15.2 14.3 11.8 12.2 15.1

50,001 to 100,000 19.0 24.4 16.7 16.1 13.6 14.2 15.7 12.9 14.1 14.4 10.6 7.1

100,001 to 200,000 35.8 14.9 19.6 26.7 19.9 10.5 14.4 20.6 22.8 10.7 17.6 27.9

200,001 to 500,000 20.6 15.4 10.0 32.7 15.5 12.6 12.3 18.3 11.4 8.9 9.4 19.4

Over 500,000 16.6 22.0 16.1 62.2 16.9 22.7 17.0 22.1 17.7 10.1 16.3 52.0

Principal building activity

Education 19.5 15.3 17.1 19.0 12.6 8.6 13.6 19.7 16.7 11.7 18.0 9.8

Food sales 32.0 35.2 36.2 23.0 29.0 35.7 24.2 37.2 14.5 23.0 25.5 38.6

Food service 18.6 18.6 16.4 17.1 17.0 14.1 12.3 19.2 15.2 14.6 10.6 16.3

Health care 17.1 13.3 9.8 33.1 18.9 12.1 11.9 23.1 9.6 7.2 9.8 14.9

Inpatient 17.5 13.3 10.8 38.3 18.3 12.6 11.8 28.8 12.3 4.1 9.1 14.0

Outpatient 33.5 33.0 46.5 19.8 27.5 22.1 37.3 21.5 9.7 19.1 32.1 12.0

Lodging 22.9 22.1 18.1 42.1 17.0 20.7 17.4 18.8 17.1 8.7 8.9 35.2

Mercantile 21.3 22.7 24.7 19.0 16.0 13.4 22.5 16.3 14.4 13.4 12.8 9.8

Retail (other than mall) 24.8 30.0 22.0 16.7 23.2 13.9 22.5 20.7 16.0 23.5 12.6 13.3

Enclosed and strip malls 26.3 23.7 28.0 23.6 17.6 17.8 29.2 20.5 17.4 12.3 14.0 6.8

Office 32.8 17.3 16.0 14.1 13.4 14.7 15.8 11.1 23.9 9.5 9.1 10.4

Public assembly 24.2 20.7 27.2 23.0 20.3 24.0 17.9 20.8 16.2 10.1 24.9 12.4

Public order and safety 45.4 28.3 30.5 45.2 35.6 25.9 26.6 36.0 24.3 21.1 17.2 28.5

Religious worship 20.1 15.1 34.8 46.5 25.3 16.7 21.9 24.1 10.8 7.9 24.5 41.8

Service 33.2 15.0 20.2 31.3 24.1 14.4 15.0 37.3 32.4 12.4 20.8 32.1

Warehouse and storage 28.0 22.7 26.7 36.8 15.9 17.0 22.3 34.7 25.0 11.0 14.5 33.1

Other 51.5 62.1 39.7 62.5 35.6 37.9 38.9 34.0 47.2 50.1 31.5 45.2

Vacant 29.1 29.1 73.3 34.4 35.2 25.1 54.9 22.0 18.6 22.3 87.7 44.4

Year constructed

Before 1920 29.5 16.7 16.5 31.0 18.6 13.5 25.8 29.2 20.1 11.1 16.9 15.3

1920 to 1945 15.4 12.3 26.6 19.2 15.3 15.2 17.4 26.8 16.7 12.4 24.1 23.1

1946 to 1959 29.6 18.1 18.6 16.2 21.9 14.0 20.6 14.2 22.5 13.0 15.5 9.1

1960 to 1969 18.8 15.8 15.7 22.7 17.7 12.2 13.4 15.9 9.8 9.8 12.4 18.8

1970 to 1979 30.3 12.7 16.5 15.7 17.3 10.6 15.3 19.9 18.0 7.6 16.8 11.1

1980 to 1989 11.3 23.7 14.9 13.3 14.4 15.6 10.7 15.7 11.8 16.7 10.9 11.8

1990 to 1999 23.5 14.6 12.4 12.6 13.9 13.5 11.6 11.8 18.5 6.0 11.0 13.3

2000 to 2003 30.6 13.8 17.5 21.7 20.8 14.5 22.4 18.2 23.2 12.7 25.1 12.8

2004 to 2007 31.1 21.4 30.8 53.3 21.8 21.5 28.0 29.8 22.5 12.8 13.2 47.6

2008 to 2012 26.6 28.6 38.9 50.2 25.2 27.1 29.2 36.1 16.6 23.2 17.6 26.4

Number of floors

One 13.0 13.5 17.0 11.9 12.3 9.5 15.5 17.6 10.5 7.1 7.9 9.1

Two 25.1 11.4 12.8 14.9 15.7 8.8 11.4 13.7 13.7 7.0 9.4 11.7

Three 14.9 25.7 19.8 19.1 12.3 14.2 16.2 21.9 9.8 16.2 10.5 13.5

Four to nine 18.0 10.4 11.9 28.5 11.1 11.4 16.8 19.5 14.8 8.3 15.0 19.2

Ten or more 21.0 24.1 19.0 70.4 20.6 22.1 18.4 26.1 25.0 13.3 13.0 58.1

RSEs for Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE 

VERSION

RSEs for total natural gas

consumption

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

RSEs for natural gas

energy intensity
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 152

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

RSEs for Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE 

VERSION

RSEs for total natural gas

consumption

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

RSEs for natural gas

energy intensity

Number of workers (main shift)

Fewer than 5 11.9 11.7 17.7 15.6 14.1 13.0 19.7 11.1 14.4 7.2 9.8 8.0

5 to 9 20.3 19.1 16.4 20.6 12.5 11.6 11.3 23.4 14.5 13.5 16.3 12.3

10 to 19 15.1 26.1 19.9 17.1 12.7 13.9 15.0 20.4 15.2 18.8 15.1 15.9

20 to 49 20.7 14.1 15.4 11.6 16.4 7.5 13.2 15.0 13.4 8.7 12.7 14.0

50 to 99 20.9 15.6 20.9 18.9 12.2 11.0 14.8 19.0 13.8 11.0 11.7 16.1

100 to 249 19.1 13.5 18.5 31.1 14.0 11.2 18.5 15.6 16.7 6.8 17.2 22.4

250 or more 27.7 16.5 11.9 37.9 15.3 15.8 10.8 15.5 18.1 9.9 12.3 27.2

Weekly operating hours

Fewer than 40 19.1 13.6 23.6 33.1 20.4 13.0 20.0 23.3 14.7 10.9 16.3 14.1

40 to 48 20.3 12.0 26.5 22.8 17.5 9.5 18.2 14.9 7.6 7.3 13.1 17.4

49 to 60 10.8 12.6 11.2 14.2 7.8 10.7 14.0 16.4 7.2 7.1 17.1 13.5

61 to 84 16.6 15.2 13.8 16.0 12.7 12.1 14.5 16.8 14.2 9.8 11.7 10.0

85 to 167 29.8 13.9 20.7 17.3 19.5 15.4 18.8 21.5 16.3 12.3 14.4 21.3

Open continuously 24.8 14.7 10.8 23.9 16.9 10.5 10.0 15.1 12.9 10.3 7.9 15.0

Party responsible for operation

and maintenance of energy

systems

Building owner 13.4 7.8 9.1 11.4 8.7 5.9 9.0 10.9 7.9 4.7 6.4 9.6

Business owner or tenant 17.0 18.7 26.1 29.2 11.0 13.7 26.4 25.3 13.9 11.2 15.7 15.3

Property management 49.9 43.6 49.5 59.5 35.2 38.7 26.1 46.5 25.1 22.1 41.7 59.5

Other 46.0 37.8 27.6 38.0 33.6 35.4 34.7 25.7 25.8 26.0 39.5 26.3

Provider of direct input on energyrelated equipment purchases

Building owner 12.9 8.0 9.7 11.6 8.5 6.1 9.1 10.9 8.0 4.6 6.3 9.9

Business owner or tenant 19.8 16.6 21.2 36.8 12.0 16.1 24.4 27.2 12.9 11.1 18.7 21.3

Property management 59.9 44.7 43.5 74.4 50.1 38.3 40.1 60.9 20.3 29.8 46.3 37.6

Other 33.6 53.3 40.7 36.5 23.6 36.2 31.4 30.8 21.2 37.7 20.8 19.1

Number of establishments

One 14.2 7.8 10.5 14.7 10.1 6.8 10.6 14.2 8.1 5.5 8.5 12.0

2 to 5 18.9 15.4 14.7 12.2 9.4 10.1 15.1 13.9 14.6 8.7 9.5 11.4

6 to 10 26.2 25.9 28.5 21.6 22.2 20.3 25.3 21.5 26.3 19.6 16.6 11.3

11 to 20 23.1 29.3 35.7 33.7 20.9 22.4 35.6 22.8 19.0 11.1 20.4 25.0

More than 20 28.3 38.1 25.8 38.7 14.3 23.2 18.2 17.7 24.1 25.2 21.7 33.6

Currently unoccupied 58.7 35.1 61.6 46.7 46.8 43.9 84.5 45.2 42.9 28.3 111.4 39.0

Predominant exterior wall material

Brick, stone, or stucco 10.6 7.8 12.7 10.1 8.9 6.9 10.9 11.7 7.0 4.8 9.0 5.7

Concrete (block or poured) 28.6 16.0 11.7 15.7 15.8 10.3 13.0 15.5 17.2 12.1 12.1 14.2

Concrete panels 31.6 18.8 29.6 55.5 23.0 17.9 22.3 27.5 21.5 15.5 24.9 46.4

Siding or shingles 29.4 26.7 26.6 44.6 20.6 26.8 20.2 27.4 17.1 14.4 29.8 25.2

Metal panels 76.9 16.6 21.5 27.1 38.6 15.4 21.3 23.5 56.0 10.2 12.7 9.1

Window glass 58.7 39.8 44.0 35.9 30.0 29.7 30.5 31.5 55.1 34.3 32.7 38.1

Other 51.8 61.6 58.8 82.4 62.7 40.9 64.7 52.0 67.4 35.4 158.9 21.1

No one major type 56.0 50.9 58.3 58.3 18.5 49.2 52.8 56.5 54.9 37.2 10.1 35.6
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 153

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

RSEs for Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE 

VERSION

RSEs for total natural gas

consumption

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

RSEs for natural gas

energy intensity

Predominant roof material

Metal surfacing 21.0 20.8 16.3 15.1 19.8 16.5 16.7 20.0 21.8 11.1 12.9 16.9

Synthetic or rubber 15.5 11.6 16.8 24.0 10.3 8.7 17.1 15.6 8.2 7.2 8.6 14.7

Built-up 23.2 12.0 12.1 14.5 13.5 10.1 9.0 12.5 15.9 6.0 7.1 11.4

Slate or tile shingles 24.1 24.7 20.3 14.4 20.8 24.7 32.1 16.8 21.3 9.6 57.6 18.7

Wooden materials (including

shingles) 62.3 45.9 43.6 14.0 55.8 38.6 21.0 28.8 34.3 18.0 31.9 26.6

Asphalt, fiberglass, or 

other shingles 13.1 22.0 16.5 15.4 11.0 12.8 12.2 17.9 8.5 12.2 10.5 8.8

Concrete 46.1 60.6 38.0 32.0 34.8 44.3 33.1 17.4 42.3 41.1 28.4 26.5

Other 76.2 64.4 48.3 67.1 65.1 48.0 40.7 62.3 39.4 58.6 22.9 23.3

No one major type 62.7 37.4 75.6 67.6 76.0 36.6 69.0 88.7 80.4 21.3 81.7 25.1

Roof characteristics

Roof tilt

Flat 13.6 8.6 10.5 12.5 8.9 8.0 10.0 13.5 7.8 4.7 5.8 9.3

Shallow pitch 16.7 14.2 17.5 25.6 12.7 8.1 15.7 14.5 12.1 11.5 12.3 20.8

Steeper pitch 14.6 20.4 14.9 13.7 11.6 16.3 11.9 13.8 11.8 10.1 11.4 7.9

Cool roof 31.0 14.2 11.5 17.8 20.1 11.7 12.8 15.7 15.5 8.5 9.9 9.9

Renovations in buildings

constructed before 2008

(more than one may apply)

Any type of renovation 17.0 10.3 10.0 17.3 10.2 6.8 8.3 9.7 9.8 6.8 7.1 12.6

Addition or annex 13.5 9.9 12.5 37.4 11.3 8.8 11.1 17.1 8.3 7.6 10.8 27.1

Reduction in floorspace 80.0 31.8 29.0 41.8 51.4 24.9 23.5 38.2 52.7 27.9 24.3 29.1

Roof replacement 23.5 12.0 12.6 18.6 13.3 7.4 10.0 12.3 13.9 9.6 10.3 15.3

Exterior wall replacement 21.2 14.3 24.3 43.5 20.5 17.1 15.6 18.4 18.4 10.9 25.4 31.3

Interior wall reconfiguration 14.9 10.2 11.1 25.6 9.5 8.4 9.4 12.0 10.4 7.4 10.0 19.0

Window replacement 13.6 12.2 14.6 39.4 10.1 11.6 9.6 18.5 11.0 9.2 13.6 28.9

HVAC equipment upgrade 19.4 8.9 10.7 21.9 10.6 8.2 9.7 10.7 12.5 6.7 9.1 15.9

Lighting upgrade 15.6 11.4 11.8 21.2 10.3 8.0 9.6 10.2 10.4 8.9 9.5 16.9

Electrical upgrade 20.6 11.6 12.8 27.9 13.4 11.5 11.4 14.9 14.0 7.4 11.2 21.7

Plumbing system upgrade 21.3 11.7 14.4 28.5 14.2 9.8 13.2 14.9 15.6 7.8 12.2 22.7

Insulation upgrade 13.8 11.6 21.8 51.0 12.1 11.0 14.3 22.2 14.1 9.0 18.7 36.5

Fire, safety, or security upgrade 16.9 11.4 11.5 15.7 10.9 11.2 10.2 11.1 11.1 5.2 9.2 14.0

Structural upgrade 17.9 20.9 27.4 51.1 18.4 19.6 15.4 24.4 19.5 14.8 21.9 37.6

Other 47.1 35.8 44.3 63.0 37.2 51.0 40.5 67.1 55.0 40.9 53.9 31.5

No renovations 13.6 13.3 11.4 11.1 9.7 9.0 11.1 16.3 9.1 6.6 8.5 10.2

Buildings constructed 2008 or later 26.6 28.6 38.9 50.2 25.2 27.1 29.2 36.1 16.6 23.2 17.6 26.4

Energy sources

(more than one may apply)

Electricity 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

Natural gas 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

Fuel oil 11.0 11.5 10.5 29.9 9.5 11.2 10.3 15.8 7.4 6.6 9.1 17.3

District heat 73.7 41.8 40.3 68.9 33.1 19.0 39.8 36.1 63.3 40.2 70.4 48.3

District chilled water 68.0 42.7 30.6 62.1 53.6 26.0 36.5 38.8 30.5 43.0 49.4 38.1

Propane 24.6 23.4 28.0 63.7 22.5 21.3 21.5 31.5 14.3 19.2 28.0 55.0

Other 46.8 20.7 43.7 38.5 29.0 15.7 19.1 21.9 23.8 17.8 36.9 30.9
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 154

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

RSEs for Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE 

VERSION

RSEs for total natural gas

consumption

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

RSEs for natural gas

energy intensity

Space-heating energy sources 

Natural gas 10.5 8.2 13.2 11.0 7.8 6.1 12.6 12.8 5.2 4.6 6.0 6.5

Natural gas main 10.5 8.1 14.0 12.0 7.4 6.0 12.9 12.5 5.4 4.8 7.0 6.7

Natural gas secondary 19.8 21.8 18.3 10.8 19.3 17.6 15.5 20.5 14.9 13.6 16.6 14.4

Other excluding natural gas 59.3 29.5 11.5 39.7 22.4 15.1 10.8 17.8 49.3 28.8 14.1 35.4

Buildings without heating 96.3 100.0 46.4 44.0 90.2 100.0 26.5 31.5 284.4 0.0 36.0 52.2

Primary space-heating 

energy source

Electricity 19.1 22.6 11.4 11.6 14.7 13.4 9.6 13.8 12.8 15.8 10.9 8.8

Natural gas 10.5 8.1 14.0 12.0 7.4 6.0 12.9 12.5 5.4 4.8 7.0 6.7

Fuel oil 33.2 0.0 60.3 112.6 38.0 0.0 62.1 112.6 44.2 0.0 76.9 0.0

District heat 76.2 47.9 40.5 69.0 33.9 19.9 40.2 37.4 66.0 46.3 71.8 47.8

Propane 101.8 60.1 112.6 97.6 107.0 64.3 112.6 97.6 109.7 19.5 0.0 0.0

Other 86.5 85.6 85.1 79.9 74.9 62.9 78.5 79.3 40.7 56.7 164.8 34.8

Cooling energy sources

Natural gas 26.8 53.3 49.2 37.1 25.8 53.4 55.7 32.1 22.0 17.5 47.3 24.6

Other excluding natural gas 13.4 8.4 11.1 13.4 8.8 5.9 10.2 13.1 7.0 5.2 6.1 9.4

Buildings without cooling 31.6 23.5 33.2 12.9 22.8 18.9 33.7 21.8 14.8 10.3 19.2 19.7

Water-heating energy sources

Natural gas 12.8 9.1 12.2 12.1 8.6 7.2 11.5 13.3 7.1 5.3 5.7 7.0

Other excluding natural gas 10.1 8.5 11.2 31.8 11.5 7.4 11.3 13.8 10.2 5.2 9.7 26.0

Buildings without water heating 41.2 23.2 43.8 26.3 34.0 22.7 30.8 27.4 33.9 21.4 41.6 13.6

Cooking energy sources

Natural gas 17.9 8.0 10.9 18.5 12.3 5.2 7.9 12.9 8.4 6.0 6.7 11.9

Other excluding natural gas 17.6 12.4 18.1 19.3 17.8 11.4 14.0 18.5 13.5 9.4 16.6 14.5

Buildings without cooking 15.5 12.1 15.2 13.1 9.1 8.5 15.0 16.4 10.3 6.3 9.8 12.8

Energy end uses

(more than one may apply)

Buildings with space heating 11.8 8.4 11.3 12.8 7.8 6.0 10.5 12.4 6.5 4.9 6.1 8.9

Buildings with cooling 12.7 8.7 11.1 13.3 8.5 6.2 10.2 13.0 6.6 5.1 6.0 9.3

Buildings with water heating 11.7 8.4 11.2 12.6 7.9 6.1 10.4 12.0 6.2 4.9 5.5 8.8

Buildings with cooking 15.9 7.7 10.7 16.3 10.9 5.6 8.1 11.5 7.6 5.5 6.1 11.2

Buildings with manufacturing 27.4 25.3 32.5 31.7 17.6 21.7 23.1 23.1 19.8 8.1 30.8 34.3

Buildings with electricity

generation 13.0 9.8 11.4 25.3 9.2 8.4 11.8 13.7 9.2 5.4 9.4 14.8

Percent of floorspace heated

Not heated 96.3 100.0 46.4 44.0 90.2 100.0 26.5 31.5 284.4 0.0 36.0 52.2

1 to 50 21.4 32.5 16.4 23.2 17.6 20.6 17.1 23.6 15.2 25.6 16.8 26.4

51 to 99 23.7 15.6 17.4 12.9 15.0 11.8 10.8 13.9 16.3 15.6 13.4 7.3

100 12.0 8.1 10.7 17.1 8.1 6.7 11.7 12.4 6.9 4.7 6.0 10.1

Percent of floorspace cooled

Not cooled 31.6 23.5 33.2 12.9 22.8 18.9 33.7 21.8 14.8 10.3 19.2 19.7

1 to 50 13.5 10.5 18.9 21.4 9.5 9.2 19.8 24.9 8.0 6.3 16.2 22.3

51 to 99 19.7 21.0 16.9 8.9 9.7 13.6 10.5 9.9 13.9 10.4 10.6 6.0

100 20.3 9.5 10.5 18.6 12.8 8.5 11.2 14.0 12.0 6.0 7.1 12.8
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 155

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

RSEs for Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE 

VERSION

RSEs for total natural gas

consumption

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

RSEs for natural gas

energy intensity

Heating equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Heat pumps 17.2 17.4 14.0 15.2 11.5 15.7 13.2 13.6 13.5 13.4 9.8 9.4

Furnaces 14.1 18.7 17.9 33.4 12.1 15.6 19.0 17.6 11.3 10.1 12.9 21.4

Individual space heaters 14.4 10.0 12.2 12.4 11.7 10.2 11.4 11.9 7.7 6.2 9.5 6.6

District heat 73.7 41.8 40.5 69.0 33.1 19.0 40.2 37.4 63.3 40.2 71.8 47.8

Boilers 10.8 8.5 9.4 17.7 7.3 5.8 11.2 13.5 6.8 6.0 7.5 8.4

Packaged heating units 13.4 9.3 13.4 12.5 9.8 6.9 11.5 13.9 6.6 6.1 6.9 9.0

Other 33.6 45.8 38.5 29.5 34.5 31.5 34.1 18.6 16.1 22.8 21.3 15.5

Cooling equipment 

(more than one may apply)

Residential-type central air

conditioners 20.0 12.7 14.6 24.0 12.4 12.6 14.9 20.4 14.5 7.8 9.2 22.1

Heat pumps 16.9 19.2 14.9 15.4 16.4 12.7 13.9 12.3 13.7 13.7 11.3 12.1

Individual air conditioners 10.9 11.7 13.8 16.2 9.1 11.7 10.1 16.5 8.0 9.0 10.7 8.0

District chilled water 68.0 42.7 30.6 62.1 53.6 26.0 36.5 38.8 30.5 43.0 49.4 38.1

Central chillers 18.3 12.5 9.4 19.2 13.6 9.4 8.9 11.9 12.7 8.1 7.2 13.1

Packaged air conditioning units 11.9 10.7 13.6 14.3 9.0 7.9 11.3 13.5 6.2 5.5 8.0 7.1

Swamp coolers 98.7 36.2 53.7 24.3 84.4 39.2 42.0 22.0 260.8 19.4 40.3 18.9

Other 67.7 64.9 46.4 60.2 59.7 56.8 28.9 44.8 10.2 52.9 37.8 34.1

Main equipment replaced since 

1990 (more than one may apply)

Heating 11.7 10.0 11.0 11.0 8.1 7.2 10.0 12.0 8.5 5.2 8.6 8.3

Cooling 13.9 12.2 10.5 11.2 9.7 8.1 8.8 12.0 9.3 6.8 7.3 7.9

Water-heating equipment

Centralized system 15.3 9.0 10.8 16.1 9.5 7.0 11.5 14.3 8.9 5.2 6.8 12.0

Distributed system 21.0 15.5 19.8 22.9 11.8 8.7 14.2 17.1 16.2 10.0 12.0 19.1

Combination of centralized and

distributed system 16.5 14.5 16.0 14.1 10.9 10.5 11.7 12.0 14.7 8.6 10.0 10.0

Food preparation or serving areas 

in non-food service buildings

(more than one may apply)

Snack bar or concession stand 15.9 15.7 13.9 39.4 15.7 14.6 13.2 18.3 10.7 9.4 9.0 33.8

Fast food or small restaurant 17.5 12.2 15.6 35.4 15.0 11.0 15.9 17.3 11.7 9.1 11.1 27.5

Cafeteria or large restaurant 24.8 10.4 9.8 31.7 15.7 8.6 9.1 15.3 12.9 6.0 8.1 20.6

Commercial kitchen/

food preparation area 18.9 9.0 8.8 28.9 13.5 7.1 8.9 19.4 9.9 6.5 6.4 18.4

Small kitchen area 12.0 10.5 12.4 36.6 10.4 10.3 11.0 17.1 8.1 6.2 8.4 32.2

HVAC conservation features 

(more than one may apply)

Economizer cycle 17.9 9.7 11.1 20.3 11.7 8.9 12.9 12.1 10.2 4.7 7.0 12.9

Regular HVAC maintenance 12.0 8.8 11.7 13.8 8.1 6.3 10.4 13.3 7.0 4.8 6.6 9.3

Building automation system (BAS)2 15.7 9.7 12.1 18.6 10.6 8.6 11.3 12.8 9.5 5.4 7.2 12.7
U.S. Energy Information Administration | User's Guide to the 2012 CBECS Public Use Microdata File 156

NortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South WestNortheastMidwest South West

All buildings 11.6 8.4 11.1 12.6 7.8 6.0 10.3 12.3 6.3 4.9 6.0 8.8

RSEs for Table C25. Natural gas consumption and conditional energy intensity by Census region, 2012 - PUBLIC USE 

VERSION

RSEs for total natural gas

consumption

RSEs for total floorspace of 

buildings using natural gas

RSEs for natural gas

energy intensity

Window and interior lighting 

features (more than one may

apply)

Multipaned windows 12.2 9.8 12.8 15.9 8.1 7.0 11.2 13.3 6.0 5.0 6.6 8.7

Tinted window glass 17.9 8.3 11.8 16.1 11.8 7.0 11.3 14.9 9.1 4.6 5.9 12.6

Reflective window glass 28.2 9.0 13.1 28.7 15.8 9.0 12.6 19.0 20.1 5.9 9.0 16.7

External overhangs or awnings 21.3 9.7 12.3 17.6 14.3 8.0 11.4 13.9 12.1 5.5 8.1 12.5

Skylights or atriums 20.8 9.8 14.8 23.3 11.2 9.8 14.0 15.0 13.3 6.4 12.3 18.5

Light scheduling 16.0 12.6 13.4 20.1 10.1 8.3 13.4 14.1 10.3 8.2 6.9 13.8

Occupancy sensors 13.6 8.5 14.4 19.2 9.9 7.0 11.7 12.4 7.8 3.9 8.3 15.0

Multi-level lighting or dimming 17.5 11.2 17.4 24.1 13.2 11.5 13.0 12.5 11.5 7.3 8.6 17.3

Daylight harvesting 27.2 18.6 18.0 27.1 17.3 17.6 16.8 22.1 18.5 12.0 16.6 22.6

Demand responsive lighting 23.8 18.0 39.3 22.9 21.0 20.6 35.0 36.2 18.9 14.4 9.6 21.6

Building automation system (BAS) for 

lighting2 23.6 17.3 23.2 19.0 15.6 13.2 20.0 19.6 15.0 9.0 11.1 8.4

Equipment usage reduced when 

building not in full use 

(more than one may apply)

Heating 12.3 7.4 13.1 10.0 7.7 5.8 12.0 13.4 7.3 5.0 7.5 9.5

Cooling 13.5 8.1 12.9 10.5 8.8 6.2 11.6 14.2 7.5 5.3 7.3 9.5

Lighting 12.2 8.3 11.9 12.9 8.1 6.1 10.9 11.9 6.8 4.9 6.2 9.5

Annual consumption

(hundred cubic feet)

1,000 or less 15.6 11.5 11.5 18.9 20.8 9.3 16.3 31.1 19.8 6.9 15.0 13.9

1,001 to 5,000 8.5 10.4 13.2 14.1 7.0 8.9 13.2 16.3 6.1 5.4 6.8 7.2

5,001 to 10,000 10.9 14.5 13.3 16.8 14.0 16.1 14.7 17.0 10.1 8.9 8.6 11.2

10,001 to 25,000 17.9 10.8 15.3 14.3 14.7 10.1 11.5 15.6 12.5 7.4 9.5 9.9

25,001 to 50,000 17.9 18.0 23.7 10.7 13.2 11.9 20.9 10.5 12.0 11.5 14.7 9.8

50,001 to 100,000 20.6 21.7 21.3 21.3 16.1 13.5 18.2 21.3 10.9 13.2 16.2 16.2

Over 100,000 22.7 11.6 12.4 32.1 20.2 14.0 11.2 25.2 8.7 9.7 8.3 12.6