DOE/EIA-0555(95)/1

Energy Information 

Administration

ergy Consumption Series •••'• •*>£=••-•• t - -*s*-u,; rf,|M.J. jA»«a!P_tJ1 -,

,nergy in 

1980's

June 1991
This publication and other Energy Information Administration (EIA) publications may be purchased from 

the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office.

Telephone orders may be directed to:

Superintendent of Documents

U.S. Government Printing Office

Main Order Desk

(202) 512-1800

FAX: (202) 512-2250

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., eastern time, M-F

All mail orders should be directed to:

U.S. Government Printing Office 

P.O. Box 371954 

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Complimentary subscriptions and single issues are available to certain groups of subscribers, such as 

public and academic libraries, Federal, State, local and foreign governments, EIA survey respondents, and 

the media. For further information and for answers to questions on energy statistics, please contact EIA's 

National Energy Information Center. Address, telephone numbers, and hours are as follows:

National Energy Information Center, El-231

Energy Information Administration

Forrestal Building, Room 1F-048

Washington, DC 20585

(202)586-8800

Internet E-Mail: INFOCTR@EIA.DOE.GOV

TTY: For people who are deaf or hard

of hearing: (202)586-1181 

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., eastern time, M-F

Released for Printing: June 8,1995 Qo Phnlad with ** ** °° '•cvck>d w" 

GPO Stock No.: 061-003-00914-0
DOE/EIA-0555(95V1 

Distribution Category UC-950

Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

June 1995

Energy Information Administration

Office of Energy Markets and End Use

U.S. Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

This report was prepared by the Energy Information Administration, the independent statistical and analytical 

agency within the Department of Energy. The information contained herein should not be construed as 

advocating or reflecting any policy position of the Department of Energy or any other organization.
Contacts

This publication was prepared under the general direction of W. Calvin Kilgore, Director of the Office of Energy 

Markets and End Use (202/586-1617), and Lynda T. Carlson, Director of the Energy End Use and Integrated 

Statistics Division (EEUISD) (202/586-1112). Specific information regarding the contents or preparation of this 

publication can be obtained from Dwight K. French, Chief of the Transportation and Industrial Branch (202/586- 

1126). Questions regarding the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) may be referred to 

Martha M. Johnson, Survey Manager (202/586-1135). Questions regarding the Residential Energy Consumption 

Survey (CBECS) may be referred to Wendel Thompson, Survey Manager (202/586-1119). The FAX number for 

all EEUISD personnel is 202/586-0018.

Detailed technical questions on the topics in this publication may be referred to the following members of EEUISD:

Alan Swenson Principal Author (202)586-1129 aswenson@eia.doe.gov

Eugene M. Burns Technical Advisor (202)586-1125 eburns@eia.doe.gov

Christy Hall Appendices (202) 586-1068 chall@eia.doe.gov

Stephanie J. Battles Appendix C

Calculation of Energy

Price Indices (202) 586-7237 sbattles@eia.doe.gov

The following persons also made important contributions to this publication:

Hattie Ramseur Report Production (202)586-1124 hramseur@eia.doe.gov 

Linda Owens Technical Monitor (202) 586-5891 lowens@eia.doe.gov

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Contents

Page

Section 1. Highlights ............................................................. 1

Introduction .................................................................... 1

Dominance of Single-Family Detached Homes ............................................ 3

Age Distribution of Buildings ........................................................ 5

Major Energy Sources-Trends in Use and Consumption ..................................... 6

Major Electricity and Natural Gas End Uses .............................................. 8

Trends in Energy Intensity ......................................................... 11

Trends in Expenditures ............................................................ 12

Section 2. Characteristics of Buildings in the 1980's ...................................... 15

Buildings and Floorspace by Type of Building ........................................... 16

Buildings in Various Size Categories .................................................. 19

Buildings and Floorspace by Census Region ............................................. 20

Buildings and Floorspace by Year Constructed ........................................... 22

Section 3. Energy Sources and Uses .................................................. 27

Energy Sources Used for Major End Uses .............................................. 28

Energy Sources Used for Space Heating ................................................ 30

Section 4. Energy Consumption and Expenditures ....................................... 37

Consumption and Energy Intensities for Major Energy Sources ................................ 37

Consumption and Energy Intensity by End Use ........................................... 39

Energy Consumption by Source and End Use ............................................ 41

Energy Expenditures ............................................................. 42

Energy Consumption and Characteristics of Residential and Commercial Buildings .................. 45

Appendices

A. Detailed Tables .............................................................. 65

B. How the Surveys Were Conducted ................................................. 67

C. Data Quality ................................................................ 71

D. Census Regions and Divisions Maps ............................................... 81

E. Related EIA Energy Consumption Publications ........................................ 83

Glossary ...................................................................... 91

Tables

2.1 Number and Total Floorspace of Residential and Commercial Buildings ..................... 23

2.2 Number of Residential Buildings and Total Floorspace, 1980 and 1990 ....................... 24

2.3 Number of Commercial Buildings and Total Floorspace, 1979 and 1989 ..................... 25

3.la Energy Sources Used for All End Uses in Residential Buildings, Number of Buildings and Total

Floorspace ................................................................ 32

3.1b Energy Sources Used for Main Space Heating in Residential Buildings, Number of Buildings and

Total Floorspace ............................................................ 32

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
3.2a Energy Sources Used for All End Uses in Commercial Buildings, Number of Buildings and Total

Floorspace ................................................................ 33

3.2b Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Commercial Buildings, Number of Buildings and Total

Floorspace ................................................................ 33

3.3 Major End Uses by Energy Source Used in Residential Buildings, Number of Buildings .......... 34

3.4 Major End Uses by Energy Sources Used in Commercial Buildings, Number of Buildings ........ 34

3.5 Energy Sources Used for Main Space Heating in Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990, Number

of Buildings ............................................................... 35

3.6 Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989, Number of

Buildings ................................................................. 36

4.1 Total Primary Consumption for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Residential Buildings .... 57

4.2 Energy Intensities for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Residential Buildings ........... 57

4.3 Total Primary Consumption for AH End Uses by Major Energy Source in Commercial Buildings ... 58

4.4 Energy Intensities for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Commercial Buildings .......... 58

4.5 Total Primary Consumption by End Use in Residential Buildings .......................... 59

4.6 Energy Intensities by End Use in Residential Buildings ................................. 59

4.7 Total Primary Consumption by Major Energy Sources and End Uses in Residential Buildings ...... 60

4.8 Total Primary Consumption by Major Energy Sources and End Uses in Commercial Buildings ..... 60

4.9a Total Expenditures for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Residential Buildings .......... 61

4.9b Total Expenditures for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Commercial Buildings .......... 61

4.10 Total Expenditures by End Use in Residential Buildings ................................ 62

4.11 Total Primary Consumption and Energy Intensities in Residential Buildings,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 63

4.12 Total Primary Consumption and Energy Intensities in Commercial Buildings,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 64

Bl RECS Survey Sample and Design, 1980 to 1990 ..................................... 67

B2 CBECS Survey Sample and Design, 1979 to 1990 .................................... 68

Cl Energy Price indices, 1979 to 1991 ............................................... 77

C2 Residential Energy Price Indices for Specific Energy Sources, 1979 to 1990 .................. 78

C3 Commercial Energy Price Indices for Specific Energy Sources, 1979 to 1991 ................. 78

C4 Number of Commercial Buildings by Year of Construction and Survey Year .................. 79

Figures

1.1 Domestic Energy Production and Primary Domestic Energy Consumption, 1949-1993 ............ 2

1.2 Primary Energy Consumption and Primary Residential and Commercial Consumption, 1949-1993 .... 2

1.3 Number of Residential and Commercial Buildings by Type of Building, 1990 RECS and 1989

CBECS ................................................................... 3

1.4 Total Residential and Commercial Floorspace by Type of Building, 1990 RECS and 1989

CBECS ................................................................... 3

1.5 Total Residential and Commercial Primary Consumption by Type of Building, 1990 RECS and

1989 CBECS ............................................................... 4

1.6 Total Residential and Commercial Energy Expenditures (1987 Dollars) by Type of Building, 1990

RECS and 1989 CBECS ....................................................... 4

1.7 Distribution of Buildings and Floorspace by Year Constructed ............................. 5

1.8 Use of Major Energy Sources for Any Use in the 1980's ................................ 6

1.9 Primary Energy Consumption by Major Energy Sources ................................. 7

1.10 Percent of Buildings Using Major Energy Sources for Major Energy Uses in the 1980's ........... 8

1.11 Major Energy Source Consumption by End Use ....................................... 9

1.12 Percent of Buildings Using Major Energy Sources for Space Heating by Year Constructed ........ 10

1.13 Energy Intensities by Energy Source ............................................. 11

1.14 Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for Energy by Energy Source .............................. 12

1.15 Expenditure Intensities by Energy Source .......................................... 13

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

|v Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
1.16 Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for End Uses in Residential Buildings in the 1980's ............... 13

2.1 Number and Size of Residential and Commercial Buildings in the 1980's .................... 15

2.2 United States Population in the 1980's ............................................ 16

2.3 Distribution of Residential Buildings and Floorspace by Type ............................ 17

2.4 Distribution of Commercial Buildings and Floorspace by Type ........................... 17

2.5 Average Size of Residential Buildings by Type ...................................... 18

2.6 Average Size of Commercial Buildings by Type ..................................... 18

2.7 Number of Residential Buildings by Size ........................................... 19

2.8 Number of Commercial Buildings by Size .......................................... 20

2.9 Distribution of Residential Buildings, Floorspace, and U.S. Population by Census Region ......... 21

2.10 Distribution of Commercial Buildings, Floorspace, and U.S. Population by Census Region ........ 21

2.11 Distribution of Buildings and Floorspace by Year Constructed ............................ 22

3.1 Percent of Buildings Using Major Energy Sources Used for Any Purposes in the 1980's ......... 27

3.2 Percent of Floorspace Using Major Energy Sources for Any Purpose in the 1980's ............. 28

3.3 Use of Electricity for Space Heating, Air Conditioning, and Water Heating in Residential and

Commercial Buildings in the 1980's .............................................. 29

3.4 Use of Natural Gas and Fuel Oil for Space Heating and Water Heating in Residential and

Commercial Buildings in the 1980's .............................................. 29

3.5 Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Buildings in the 1980's ........................ 30

3.6 Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Buildings by Age of Building .................... 31

3.7 Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Buildings by Census Region ..................... 31

4.1 Residential and Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in the 1980's .... 37

4.2 Residential Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Source, 1980 and 1990 ....... 38

4.3 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Source, 1979 and 1989 ...... 39

4.4 Residential Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by End Use, 1980 and 1990 ...... 40

4.5 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by End Use, 1989 ............ 40

4.6 Energy Consumption by Energy Source and End Use in Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990 ..... 41

4.7 Energy Consumption by Energy Source and End Use in Commercial Buildings, 1989 ........... 42

4.8 Total Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for Energy in Residential and Commercial Building

in the 1980's .............................................................. 43

4.9 Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for End Uses in Residential Buildings in the 1980's ............... 43

4.10 Residential and Commercial Buildings Expenditures (1987 Dollars) by Energy Source ........... 44

4.11 Residential and Commercial Buildings Expenditure Intensities (1987 Dollars) by Energy Source .... 44

4.12 Total Primary Energy Consumption by Building Type, 1990 RECS and 1989 CBECS ........... 45

4.13 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Type of Residential Building,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 47

4.14 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Type of Commercial Building,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 47

4.15 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity by Type of Residential Building, 1980 and 1990 ...... 48

4.16 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity by Type of Commercial Building, 1979 and 1989 ..... 48

4.17 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Size of Building,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 49

4.18 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Size of Building,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 50

4.19 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Size of Building,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 50

4.20 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Size of Building,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 51

4.21 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Census Region,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 52

4.22 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Census Region,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 52

4.23 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Census Region,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 53

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's v
4.24 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Census Region,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 53

4.25 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Year Constructed,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 54

4.26 Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Year Constructed,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 55

4.27 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Year Constructed,

1980 and 1990 ............................................................. 55

4.28 Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Year Constructed,

1979 and 1989 ............................................................. 56

Cl Use of RSE Row and Column Factors ............................................. 73

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
1. Highlights

Introduction

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects data on energy consumption, expenditures, and other energyrelated topics in the major energy-consuming sectors of the U.S. economy. The residential and commercial sectors 

are two major sectors that many energy analysts like to consider together, as energy use is primarily related to the 

building shell and the stock of energy-consuming goods within the shell in these sectors. EIA conducts separate 

surveys for the two sectors, the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) and the Commercial Buildings 

Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). 1 Prior to the first CBECS, there was a very poor understanding of the 

complexities of energy use in commercial buildings, or the amount of energy consumed in the commercial sector. 

This report summarizes and synthesizes energy data that were collected by these two surveys during the 1980's, when 

major changes in energy policy were implemented following the energy crisis decade of the 1970's.

The six RECS and four CBECS data bases from the ten consumption surveys over the 1979 to 1990 time frame 

contain a wealth of energy end use information on residential and commercial buildings. This is the first report to 

present a unified vision of energy use in residential and commercial buildings. This report presents energy data that 

are consistent between the two sectors and across the decade of the 1980's. This report differs from previous 

consumption reports because all consumption statistics are reported in terms of primary electricity consumption and 

site energy for all other energy sources. 2

The availability of inexpensive, secure energy became less certain by the early 1970's. Although energy demand 

(total energy consumption, Figure 1.1) had continued its long rise into the 1970's, the production of domestic oil (a 

primary source of energy) peaked in 1970 and forced greater reliance on energy imports. The Arab oil embargo in 

1973-1974 served as the catalyst for the energy crisis; oil supplies were constrained and energy prices rose sharply. 

In both the 1970's and 1980's, the price of oil had a large impact on the economy, the price of other fuels, and on 

total energy consumption. Both the sharp price increase in 1974 and again in 1979 (following the 1978 Iranian 

revolution) contributed to economic downturns and fueled much of the high inflation of the period.

During the 1970's, the promise of higher energy prices for the foreseeable future and the uncertainty of adequate 

supplies led to public discussion and development of a comprehensive energy policy that could produce long-term 

solutions to the energy crisis. Four generally agreed upon goals of the policy were: adequate energy supplies, 

reduced dependence on energy imports, protection against the disruption of foreign supplies, and increased 

conservation and efficiency in end uses.

Many energy programs were put into place during the 1970's and 1980's to lessen the dependence upon foreign oil 

supplies and to improve how all forms of energy are used. A significant percent of total energy consumption 

occurred in the residential and commercial sectors (Figure 1.2). This report concentrates on the physical makeup 

of the residential and commercial buildings sectors and their use of energy, and examines changes that occurred 

during the 1980's.

The remainder of this chapter presents a summary of major findings. The following three chapters focus on different 

aspects of the overarching theme of buildings and energy in the 1980's. Chapter 2 discusses major characteristics

'Residential Energy Consumption Surveys were conducted in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990. Commercial Buildings Energy 

Consumption Surveys were conducted in 1979, 1983, 1986, and 1989. Prior to the 1989 CBECS, that survey was called the Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey. The RECS and CBECS are presently conducted triennially and each supports two major 

publications, one covering buildings characteristics, and one covering energy consumption and expenditures.

2Primary electricity consumption takes into account the energy inputs used to produce and transmit electricity. Site energy consumption 

is the amount of energy delivered to a site. See Appendix C, "Data Quality."

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
of residential and commercial buildings. Chapter 3 considers the major energy sources and end uses in terms of 

number of buildings and floorspace. Chapter 4 focuses on energy consumption and expenditures. Chapters 2, 3, 

and 4 contain tables at the end of each chapter that summarize data from detailed tables that are available separately 

on diskette or via EIA's Electronic Publishing System (EPUB). Following the body of the report, appendices and 

a glossary provide additional information on the methodologies used in this report and on the residential and 

commercial building consumption surveys on which this report is based.

Figure 1.1. Domestic Energy Production and Primary Domestic Energy Consumption, 1949-1993

100

80 -,

Primary Energy Consumption

Domestic Energy Production

OH—TT-T—ri—T "rrrr rT~rr——TT——rrT-r—|-~TT———r~-r- —i1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

Source: Energy Information Administration, Annual 

Energy Review 1993, DOE/EIA-0384(93).

Figure 1.2. Primary Energy Consumption and Primary Residential and Commercial Consumption, 

1949-1993

100

80

c 

o

60

Primary Energy Consumption

40

0 --TTResidential and Commercial 

Primary Consumption ...^.

Time Frame of 

This Report

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 

Year

Source: Energy Information Administration, Annual 

Ei. -^Review 1993, DOE/EIA-0384(93).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Dominance of Single-Family Detached Homes

Figure 1.3. Number of Residential and Commercial Buildings 

by Type of Building, 1990 RECS and 1989 CBECS

Residential 

Buildings

Commercial 

Buildings

Single-Family Detached Hp|m^|H^BBHB9B 58.36 

Single-Family Attached -jjpl 6.00 

Mobile Home-B| 5 21 

2 to 4 Units H| 3.64 

5 or More Units Jo .99

Mercantile/Service I i 'ffi

Off ice-J 068

Warehouse j o 61-

Assembly j o 62

Food Sales/Service -| o '34

Vacant-) 0 33

Education | o 28

Lodging \ 0.14

Health Care-j 0.08

Other (016 '••

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 

Million Buildings

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and 

Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Single-family detached homes 

exceeded all other building types 

combined in both number of 

buildings and total floorspace 

(Figures 1.3 and 1.4).

Single-family detached homes 

accounted for nearly threefourths of the buildings in the 

two sectors (Figure 1.3).

Commercial buildings 

constituted only six percent of 

buildings in both sectors.

All other residential building 

types combined represented onefifth of the total.

Figure 1.4. Total Residential and Commercial Floorspace by 

Type of Building, 1990 RECS and 1989 CBECS

Single-Family Detached

2 to 4 Units

5 or More Units

Single-Family Attached 

Mobile Home

Mercantile/Service

Office

Warehouse

Education

Assembly

Vacant

Lodging

Health Care

Food Sales/Service

Other |

0

130.86

Commercial 

Floorspace

50 100 

Billion Square Feet

150

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and 

Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Single-family detached homes 

accounted for more than half of 

residential and commercial 

floorspace (Figure 1.4).

Commercial buildings 

represented slightly more than 

one-fourth of residential and 

commercial floorspace, a larger 

share than the number of 

buildings because of their larger 

average size.

All other residential buildings 

constituted less than one-fifth of 

residential and commercial 

floorspace.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 1.5. Total Residential and Commercial Primary

Consumption by Type of Building, 1990 RECS and 

1989 CBECS

Consumption and expenditures 

for energy in single-family 

detached homes exceeded those 

for all other building types 

(Figures 1.5 and 1.6).

Consumption in single-family 

detached homes was 41 percent 

of the total, slightly less than the 

total for all commercial 

buildings (Figure 1.5).

Single-Family Detached

2 to 4 Units

5 or More Units

Single-Family Attached

Mobile Home

Office

Mercantile/Service a

Education j

Warehouse f

Food Sales/Service I

Assembly |

Health Care |

Lodging f

Vacant ;

Other -1

4 6 8 10 

Quadrillion Btu

12 14

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and 

Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Figure 1.6. Total Residential and Commercial Energy

Expenditures (1987 Dollars) by Type of Building, 

1990 RECS and 1989 CBECS*

Expenditures (in 1987 dollars) 

for single-family detached 

homes were about 44 percent of 

the total for both sectors, and 

about 5 percent more than the 

total expenditures for all 

commercial buildings (Figure 

1.6).

Single-Family Detached

2 to 4 Units

5 or More Units

Single-Family Attached

Mobile Home

Office

Mercantile/Service

Education

Warehouse

Assembly

Food Sales/Service

Health Care

Lodging

Vacanl

Other

20 40 60 

Billion 1987 Dollars

80

See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for adjustment to 1987 dollars. 

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and 

Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Age Distribution of Buildings

The relatively slow turnover in the building stock is revealed in both the RECS and CBECS data. Residential and 

commercial buildings constructed during the 1980's represent a small fraction of the entire stock-only 17 percent 

of residential buildings and 19 percent of commercial buildings (Figures 1.7a and b). Because the bulk of the present 

building stock was constructed prior to 1980, energy efficient building practices employed in new construction in 

the 1980's will have greater impact in the future as the older, less efficient stock is retired, and new construction 

with efficiencies equal or superior to those of the 1980's construction takes its place.

Figure 1.7. Distribution of Buildings and

Floorspace by Year Constructed

a. Residential Buildings, 1990

100

en

c

13 

m

c

0) o

CD

n_

3 

E

o

Before 1960 1960 to 1969 1970 to 1979 1980 to 1990

Constructed by End of Period

At the end of the 1980's, 

buildings more than 30 years 

old (constructed before 1960) 

constituted a substantial fraction 

of the building population 

(Figures l.Va and b).

Greater than 46 percent of 

residential buildings and more 

than 43 percent of commercial 

buildings were constructed prior 

to 1960.

b. Commercial Buildings, 1989

<n en

;6'5 

CD

c o>

2

CD 

CL

The median age of both 

residential and commercial 

buildings at the end of the 

decade was just under 30 years. 

If this median age holds, 1980's 

and newer construction will not 

represent a majority of buildings 

until approximately 2010. If the 

median age increases, this date 

would be extended even further.

Before 1960 1960 to 1969 1970 to 1979 1980 to 1989

Constructed by End of Period

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and 

Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Major Energy Sources-Trends in Use and Consumption

Electricity and natural gas have been and continue to be the energy sources of choice (as measured by the percent 

of buildings that use them) in both residential and commercial buildings.3 The use of fuel oil, the third choice, 

declined during the 1980's.

Electricity

 Use of electricity was nearly universal in 

residential buildings, and was only slightly less in 

commercial buildings (those that did not use it in 

the 1980's. were primarily warehouses or vacant 

buildings) (Figures 1.8a and b).

 Electricity consumption exceeded natural gas 

consumption and consumption by all other energy 

sources in both sectors (Figures 1.9a and b).

Natural Gas

Figure 1.8. Use of Major Energy Sources for 

Any Use in the 1980's*

a. Residential Buildings

100

m 60

y 40

Natural gas was used in about 60 percent of 

buildings. The slight declines over time shown in 

Figures 1.8a and 1.8b are not statistically 

significant.

Natural gas consumption was second to electricity 

consumption in both sectors. At the beginning of 

the decade, natural gas consumption was twothirds that of electricity in residential buildings 

and 38 percent of that in commercial buildings. 

By the end of the decade, natural gas use was 53 

percent of electricity use in residential buildings 

and one-fourth that of electricity in commercial 

buildings (Figures 1.9a and b).

Fuel Oil

 During the 1980's, the proportion of buildings that 

used fuel oil declined as did the total consumption 

of fuel oil in both residential and commercial 

buildings (Figures 1.8 a and b, 1.9a and b). Fuel 

oil use was regional, primarily limited to the 

Northeast and part of the South Census regions.

1980 1985

b. Commercial Buildings

1990

100 .

.1 Natural Gas 5 60* ——— .... _.-_»__

40 S.

1980 1985 1990

In commercial buildings, fuel oil use includes kerosene. 

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of 

Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980, 

1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 

1979, 1983, and 1986 Nonresidentjal Buildings Energy 

Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

'Electricity energy consumption is expressed as primary consumption. Energy consumption is not adjusted for the effect of weather.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 1.9. Primary Energy Consumption by Major Energy Sources'

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

All Major Sources

Fuel Oil

LPG 0 3

0 3

5 10 15 

Quadrillion Btu

20

b. Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

All Major Sources j 

Electricity 

Natural Gas 

Fuel Oil j.

2-1

0 6

District Heat 0 2

0 5 10 15 

Quadrillion Btu

:._ I 1 9 /9i 

• 19891

20

All major energy sources and electricity consumption refer to primary electricity 

consumption. Fuel oil consumption includes kerosene. In residential buildings kerosene was 

less than 10 percent of total fuel oil consumed. It is not reported separately in commercial 

buildings.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form 

EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Form EIA-143 of 

the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, and Form EIA-871 of the 

1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Major Electricity and Natural Gas End Uses

Electricity

 Excluding appliances and lighting, which used 

electricity almost universally, electricity use was 

most common for air conditioning (or cooling), 

followed by water heating and space heating in 

both residential and commercial buildings (Figures 

l.lOaandb).

 During the 1980's, the proportions of residential 

buildings that used electricity for main space 

heating and air conditioning showed a statistically 

significant increase. The slight increase shown in 

Figure 1.1 Ob is not statistically significant.

 Lighting was the major consumer of electricity in 

commercial buildings, while appliances (which 

included lighting) was the major consumer in 

residential buildings. Both of these end uses 

exceeded any other end use by more than a factor 

of two (Figures 1.1 la and b).

Figure 1.10. Percent of Buildings Using Major 

Energy Sources for Major Energy 

Uses in the 1980's

a. Residential Buildings

1 60

§ 40

20

1980 1985 1990

Natural Gas

b. Commercial Buildings

Nearly identical percentages of residential 

buildings used natural gas for main space heating 

and water heating, whereas in commercial 

buildings, use for space heating was greater than 

use for water heating by about 20 percentage 

points throughout the decade (Figures 1.1 Oa and 

b). These showed no significant changes during 

the 1980's.

80

S 60

£

o

§ 40

In residential and commercial buildings, space 

heating and water heating were the two main uses 

of natural gas, with space heating accounting for 

about three times as much consumption as water 

heating (Figure 1.1 la and b). Other natural gas 

end uses include range tops or burners, ovens, and 

clothes dryers.

1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of 

Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980, 

1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 

1979, 1983, and 1986 Nonresidential Buildings Energy 

Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 1.11. Major Energy Source Consumption by End Use*

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

Appliances 

Air Conditioning 

Water 

Space Heating ^^

Space

Water Heating »*»!

SsSfPSFSsiwf??0

Appliances ^

012345 

Quadrillion Btu

b. Commercial Buildings, 1989

Lighting

Office Equipment 

Air Conditioning 

Ventilation 

Water Heating 

Space Heating

Space Heating 

Water Heating

01234567 

Quadrillion Btu

Electricity consumption is primary consumption. End-use consumption estimates in 

commercial buildings are available only for the 1989 CBECS. Space heating and air 

conditioning are not adjusted for the effect of weather.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form 

EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 

of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Space Heating Energy Sources and Year of Building Construction

The distribution of energy sources used for space heating by year constructed reveals interesting trends in the 1980's. 

These trends continued the historic rise and fall of different energy sources as the primary choices for heating 

buildings: first wood (which peaked in the late 1800's), then coal (which peaked during World War n), and then the 

three sources most commonly used today fuel oil, natural gas, and electricity.

Figure 1.12. Percent of Buildings Using Major Energy

Sources for Space Heating by Year Constructed

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

The proportions of buildings that 

used electricity for space heat 

consistently increased from the 

earliest to the most recent period 

of construction for both 

residential and commercial 

buildings (Figures 1.12a and b).

During the 1970's, electricity 

was increasingly selected for 

space heating in new 

construction, and by the 

beginning of the 1980's, it had 

risen almost to the level of 

natural gas use.

o

UJ Natural Gas

Electricity Pg

Natural Gas 

Electricity

20 40 60 

Percent of Buildings

80

The proportion of buildings 

using natural gas or fuel oil 

consistently declined from the 

earliest to the most recent 

periods of construction. That 

pattern held for the consumption 

surveys at the beginning of the 

decade and at the end (Figures 

1.12aandb).

The decline in the use of fuel 

oil for space heating mirrored its 

decline in use for any end uses, 

as well as the decline in total 

fuel oil consumption.

b. Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

co Fuel Oil 

o

UJ 

COo Natural Gas |

Electricity

en Fuel Oil 

o

UJ

u Natural Gas 

en

s

»- Electricity

0 20 40 60 

Percent of Buildings

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption 

Surveys; Form EIA-143of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey, and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey.

10

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Trends in Energy Intensity

Total energy intensity, measured as the ratio of energy consumed to floorspace (thousand Btu per square foot of 

floorspace that used a particular energy source), was greater in commercial buildings than in residential buildings 

throughout the 1980's (Figures 1.13a and b). This reflected differences in the uses of energy and the degree of 

building occupancy in the two sectors. Several major commercial building types exceeded 300 thousand Btu per 

square foot throughout the 1980's, whereas residential buildings were dominated by single-family detached homes 

that had intensities less than 100 thousand Btu per square foot during the decade.

Figure 1.13. Energy Intensities by Energy Source*

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

All Major 

Sources

Electricity

 Electricity intensities were stable 

in both sectors during the 

decade, but the commercial 

intensity was more than twice as 

large as residential intensity 

(Figures 1.13a and b).

Electricityi

Natural Ga:

• 1990

I 50 100 150 200 250 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

b. Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

All Major 

Sources

Natural Gas

 Natural gas intensities were 

greater in commercial buildings 

than in residential buildings at 

the beginning of the 1980's but, 

by the end of the decade, the 

intensities were not significantly 

different. Natural gas intensities 

in both groups decreased during 

the decade (Figures 1.13a and 

b).

Electric!

Natural G

50 100 150 200 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

250

All major energy sources and electricity intensities are based on primary 

electricity consumption. Intensities are not adjusted for the effect of weather.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption 

Surveys; Form EIA-143ofthe 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey, and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 11
Trends in Expenditures

Total expenditures for energy in residential buildings, in real terms (1987 dollars), exceeded energy expenditures in 

commercial buildings during the 1980's. At the end of the decade commercial expenditures were only 67 percent 

of residential expenditures (Figures 1.14a and b).

Electricity

 Electricity expenditures in both 

sectors increased throughout the 

decade and exceeded those of 

other energy sources. 

Residential expenditures for 

electricity increased from 54 

percent of total energy 

expenditures in 1980 to 65 

percent in 1990, while in the 

commercial sector expenditures 

for electricity increased from 71 

percent of total energy 

expenditures in 1979 to 79 

percent in 1989 (Figures 1.14a 

and b).

Natural Gas

 In both sectors, natural gas 

expenditures were at about the 

same level at the beginning and 

end of the decade. By the end 

of the 1980's, natural gas 

expenditures were one-fourth of 

total expenditures in the 

residential sector and only oneeighth of the total in the 

commercial sector (Figures 

l.Haandb).

Figure 1.14. Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for 

Energy by Energy Source*

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

All Major 

Sources

Electricity,,

Natural Gas,

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 

Billion (1987) Dollars

b. Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

All Major 

Sources

Electricity ^

Natural

20 40 60 80 100 

Billion (1987) Dollars

120

See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for adjustment to 1987 dollars. 

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption 

Surveys; Form EIA-143of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey, and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey.

12

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 1.15. Expenditure Intensities by Energy Source

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

All Major 

Sources |

Electricity*

Natural GasTM,

02461 

Dollars (1987) per Million Btu

b. Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

All Major 

Sources f

Expenditure Intensities

 Expenditure intensities (dollars 

expended per million Btu of 

energy consumed) declined 

during the decade in the 

residential sector and remained 

constant in the commercial 

sector (Figures 1.15a and b).

 At the beginning of the decade, 

commercial expenditure intensity 

was 80 percent of residential, by 

the end of the decade, 

commercial expenditure intensity 

was 90 percent of residential 

(Figures 1.15a and b).

 Electricity expenditure 

intensities were greater than 

those of natural gas in both 

sectors throughout the 1980's.

Electricity,

Natural Gas,

02468 

Dollars (1987) per Million Btu

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption 

Surveys; Form EIA-143of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey, and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey.

Figure 1.16. Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for End Uses in 

Residential Buildings in the 1980's

30

Expenditures for End 

Uses

 In the residential sector, 

expenditures for space heating 

and appliances far exceeded 

those for water heating and air 

conditioning. From 1980 to 

1982, expenditures for space 

heating and appliances were 

nearly identical. They 

subsequently diverged as space 

heating expenditures declined, 

while expenditures for 

appliances rose (Figure 1.16).

 The largest single contributor to 

the household energy bill is now 

the appliance load (Figure 1.16).

1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End 

Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 Residential 

Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 13

2. Characteristics of Buildings in the 1980's

By the end of the 1980's, there were more than 78 million buildings and 230 billion square feet of floorspace in the 

residential and commercial sectors in the United States. During the 1980's, the number of residential buildings 

increased by 13 percent to 74.2 million (about 95 percent of the total) and the number of commercial buildings 

increased 23 percent to 4.5 million (Figure 2.la). Residential floorspace increased 19 percent to nearly 170 billion 

square feet (about 74 percent of the total), while commercial floorspace increased 26 percent to 63 billion square 

feet (Figure 2.1b).4 The increase in the number of buildings and floorspace in these two sectors contrasts with the 

total population growth in the United States of only 9.8 percent, from 1980 to 1990 (Figure 2.2).

The population of residential and commercial buildings can be characterized in several ways, each of which has a 

bearing on the use and consumption of energy. Important categories are: type of building, average size of building, 

location of buildings, and year of construction.

Figure 2.1. Number and Size of Residential and Commercial Buildings in the 1980's

a. Number of Buildings b. Building Floorspace

80 180

_ - - H0/, 

 .<> - - 160 , - . . , " W 60 140

O) CD c „ "- 120 =5 50 CD

=5 « 100

CD 40 §-

c w 80

I 30 | 60

5 20 m 40 :,.-.-- ---- "

10 Co.rmerc.ai .. '^'^., 20 o : '- 7-"''-~"'~°"";""""""- . .-'; ... o - • -

1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

"See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for adjustment of 1979 commercial buildings undercount.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 15
Figure 2.2. United States Population in the 1980's

300

250 'c 

o

= 200 .,•;, ,§

§ 150

^

= 100

o 

a.

50

0

1980 1985 1990

Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1993 (113th edition, Washington, DC, 1993).

Buildings and Floorspace by Type of Building

Throughout the 1980's, the single-family detached home was, by far, the predominant type of building and occupied 

the most floorspace in both the residential and commercial sectors (Figures 1.3 and 1.4). By the end of the 1980's:

 Single-family detached homes accounted for nearly three-fourths of all buildings and more than half of total 

floorspace.

 Commercial buildings accounted for only six percent of buildings but slightly more than one-fourth of total 

floorspace because of the greater average size of commercial buildings.

The number of residential buildings increased 13 percent during the decade, while their floorspace increased 19 

percent. The number of commercial buildings increased 23 percent, with a 26 percent increase in floorspace.

 Two types of residential buildings, single-family attached and the larger apartment buildings (five or more 

units), increased their numbers much more rapidly than average. The growth in the former is due to the 

increased popularity of condominiums and townhouses. Small apartment buildings (2 to 4 units) showed no 

growth in number of buildings but did increase in floorspace on average (Figures 2.3a and b).

 In the commercial sector, offices and warehouses increased more in number of buildings and floorspace than 

average, while assembly, education, and health care buildings grew less than average in both number of 

buildings and floorspace (Figures 2.4a and b).

Residential and. commercial buildings increased in average floorspace from 2,176 to 2,280 square feet (an increase 

of 4.8 percent) for residential and from 13,637 to 13,954 square feet (an increase of 2.3 percent) for commercial.

 Floorspace in residential multi-unit buildings (small and large) and in mobile homes increased more than the 

average for residential buildings. Only single-family attached homes showed a decrease in average floorspace 

(Figures 2.5a and b).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

16 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
In the commercial sector, floorspace in office and lodging buildings increased more than the average floorspace 

for commercial buildings overall. Education and food sales and service buildings showed a significant decrease 

in floorspace. The latter phenomenon possibly reflects the trend toward fast food restaurants (Figures 2.6a and 

b).

Figure 2.3. Distribution of Residential Buildings and Floorspace by Type

a. Distribution of Buildings and Floorspace, 1990 b. Percent Change in Distribution, 1980 to 1990

Single-Family 

Detached

Single-Family 

Attached if

Mobile Home

2 to 4 Units

5 or More Units

20 40 60 80 100

Percent

Single-Family 

Detached

Single-Family 

Attached

Mobile Home 

2 to 4 Units

5 or More Units

All Residential 

Buildings

-20 0 20 40 60 80 100

Percent Change

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 2.4. Distribution of Commercial Buildings and Floorspace by Type

a. Distribution of Buildings and Floorspace, 1989 b. Percent Change in Distribution, 1979 to 1989

Mercantile/Service 

Office 

Warehouse 

Assembly 

Food Sales/Service 

vacant 

Education

Lodging .35*.-:; 

Health Care *»; , 

Other rF;3«

0

Mercantile/Service

10 20 30 40

Percent

Warehouse

Assembly fgj^^u 

Food Sales/Service 

Vacant 

Education

Lodging « 

Health Care

Other

All Commercial Buildings

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Percent Change

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 17
Figure 2.5. Average Size of Residential Buildings by Type

a. Average Building Size, 1980 and 1990 b. Percent Change in Average Building Size, 1980 to 1990

5 or More Units

2 to 4 Units

Single-Family 

Detached

Single-Family 

Attached

5 or More Units

2 to 4 Units

Single-Family 

Detached

Single-Family 

Attached

Mobile Home Mobile Home

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Thousand Sq. Ft. Per Building

-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

Percent Change

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 2.6. Average Size of Commercial Buildings by Type

a. Average Building Size, 1979 and 1989 b. Percent Change in Average Building Size, 1979 to 1989

Education

Health Care

Lodging

Office

Warehouse

Vacant

Assembly

Mercantile/Service

Food Sales/Service

Other

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 

Thousand Sq. Ft. Per Building

Education

Health Care

Lodging

Office

Warehouse

Vacant

Assembly

Mercantile/Service

Food Sales/Service

Other

-10 0 10 20 

Percent Change

30

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

18

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Buildings in Various Size Categories

During the 1980's, the proportion of residential and commercial buildings in the various size categories remained 

approximately the same. Residential buildings were clustered in the three smallest categories, while commercial 

buildings were spread over a much larger range of sizes (Figures 2.7a and 2.8a). The average size of all residential 

buildings increased 4.8 percent between 1980 and 1990 (from 2,176 to 2,280 square feet per building). This change 

largely reflected the 5.2 percent increase in the average floorspace of single-family detached homes (from 2,131 to 

2,242 square feet).

During the 1980's:

 The greatest growth in the number of residential buildings occurred in the categories of building size greater 

than 2,000 square feet. This growth was consistent with the increase in average size of single-family detached 

and apartment buildings. The greatest number of buildings added was in the 2,001 to 5,000 square feet 

category (Figure 2.7a and b).

 Commercial buildings showed remarkably similar growth in number of buildings across all size categories. 

Almost all were within a few percentage points of the commercial average of 23 percent, with the exception 

of the largest category (Figure 2.8b).

Figure 2.7. Number of Residential Buildings by Size

a. Number of Buildings, 1980 and 1990 b. Percent Change in Number of Buildings, 1980 to 1990

1.000 or Fewer

1.001 to 2,000 

2,001 to 5,000 

5,001 to 10,000 m 

10,001 to 25,000 ' 

Over 25,000

0 10 20 30 40 50 

Million Buildings

1.000 or Fewer \ ;

1.001 to 2,000

2,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000 |

10,001 to 25,000

Over 25,000

0 10 20 30 40 50 

Percent Change

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 19
Figure 2.8. Number of Commercial Buildings by Size

a. Number of Buildings, 1979 and 1989 b. Percent Change in Number of Buildings, 1979 to 1989

1,001 to 2,000 1 > 001 to 2 ' 000 lltif

2,001 to 5,000 • 2' 001 t0 5 '°°°

5-001 to 10,000 5 ' 001 t0 10 '°°° _.

10,001 to 25,000 —————— 10 ' 001 t0 25 < 000 ""*"""

25,001 to 50,000 «, 25,001 ,050,000 ||

50,001 to 100,000 $

50,001 to 100,000 gg • : . ^

100,001 (0200,000 100,00110200,000 * SSiw»:sS 

;5 200,001 to 500,000 iSFSlssS

200,001 to 500,000 SSSSS"'' '

Over 500,000 ^lilglSslyS

Over 500,000 v

0 10 20 30 40 50

°'° ^Million Buildings 5 " Percent Change

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Buildings and Floorspace by Census Region

Not surprisingly, the residential building distribution by Census region was similar to the population distribution. 

However, the distribution of floorspace differed by region-buildings were largest in the Northeast (due to more large 

apartment buildings) and smallest in the South (due to fewer large apartment buildings) (Figure 2.9a).

 The increase in the number of buildings and the amount of floorspace in both sectors exceeded population 

growth in all regions except in the West. In the Midwest and South, the increase in floorspace was greater than 

the increase in the number of buildings, i.e., the average building size increased (Figure 2.9b).

 The distribution of commercial buildings mirrored the 1989 population distribution fairly closely, although in 

the Northeast the proportion of buildings was less, and in the South the proportion of floorspace was less. As 

with residential buildings, commercial buildings tended to be larger in the Northeast and smaller in the South 

(Figure 2.10a).

 In commercial buildings the percent change in both the number of buildings and floorspace exceeded the 

percent change in population in all regions, although in the West the percent change in the number of buildings 

was very close to the change in population. This is consistent with the increase in average size there (Figure 

2.10b).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

20 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 2.9. Distribution of Residential Buildings, Floorspace, and U.S. Population by 

Census Region

a. Distribution of Buildings, Floorspace, and Population, 1990 b. Percent Change in Distribution, 1980 to 1990

Northeast"

Midwest

Northeast 3S4 ? ;'

Midwest : -ft--'i:

South

West

30 40 10 20 30 

Percent Change

40

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 2.10. Distribution of Commercial Buildings, Floorspace, and U.S. Population by 

Census Region

a. Distribution of Buildings, Floorspace, and Population, 1989 b. Percent Change in Distribution, 1979 to 1989

10 20 30 

Percent

40 50

Northeast

Midwest --•"————

South ilQfXigfSi'iK^i

West ?• ft:

10 20 30 

Percent Change

40

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 21
Buildings and Floorspace by Year Constructed

Because the number of buildings is so large, the addition of new buildings and floorspace over a decade has limited 

impact on the building stock.

 Buildings constructed during the 1980's accounted for only about 17 percent of the stock of residential 

buildings and their floorspace. At the end of the decade, nearly half of the buildings and floorspace were 

constructed before 1960 (Figure 2.1 la).

 In the commercial sector, 19 percent of buildings and 21 percent of floorspace were added between 1979 and 

1989. Forty-three percent of commercial buildings (and 39 percent of floorspace) were constructed before 1960 

(Figure 2.lib).

Figure 2.11. Distribution of Buildings and Floorspace by Year Constructed

a. Cumulative Percent of Residential Buildings and Floorspace, 1990 b. Cumulative Percent of Commercial Buildings and Floorspace, 1989

100

so

m

° eo

<D

°- 40

fl>

20

Before 1960 1960 to 1969 1970 to 1979 1980 to 1990

Constructed by End of Period

too

80

Z 60 c

0)

40

20

Before 1960 1960 to 1969 1970 to 1979 1980 to 1989

Constructed by End of Period

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Survey, and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

22

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 2.1. Number and Total Floorspace of Residential and Commercial Buildings

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

Residential Buildings

Number of Buildings 

(thousand)

1.0

Total Floorspace 

(million sq. ft.)

1.1

Commercial Buildings

Number of Buildings 

(thousand)

1.0

Total Floorspace 

(million sq. ft.)

1.0 RSE Row Factors

1979 ...........

1980 ...........

1981 ...........

1982 ...........

1983 ...........

1984 ...........

1985 ...........

1986 ...........

1987 ...........

1988 ...........

1989 ...........

1990 ...........

3,073 43,546

65,471 142,495

66,210 144,201

66,210 142,247

3,185 49,471

67,576 144,357

4,154 58,199

70,446 156,818

4,528 63,184

74,213 169,227

5.8

1.2

1.3

1.2

5.8

1.2

3.2

1.2

3.2

1.4

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption 

Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 23
Table 2.2 Number of Residential Buildings and Total Floorspace, 1980 and 1990

Building 

Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

Number of Buildings 

(thousand)

1980

0.7

1990

0.7

Floorspace 

(million square feet)

1980

0.7

1990

0.8

RSE 

Row 

Factors

mi Duiiuinga ........... 74,213 169,227 2.1

Census Region

Northeast .............

Midwest ..............

South ................

West ................

Census Division

New England ..........

Middle Atlantic .........

East North Central ......

West North Central ......

South Atlantic ..........

East South Central ......

West South Central ......

Mountain .............

Pacific ...............

Type of Home

Mobile Home ..........

Single-Family Detached . .

Single-Family Attached . . .

2 to 4 Units ...........

5 or More Units ........

Building Floorspace

(square feet)

Fewer than 1 ,001 .......

1 ,001 to 2,000 .........

2,001 to 5,000 .........

5,001 to 10,000 ........

10,001 to 25,000 .......

25,001 to 50,000 .......

50,001 to 100,000 .......

100,001 to 200,000 ......

Over 200,000 ..........

Year Constructed

1939 or Before .........

194010 1949 ..........

1950(0 1959 ..........

196010 1969 ..........

197010 1979 ..........

198010 1990 ..........

12,287

17,388

23,105

12,691

2,927

9,360

1 1 ,835

5,552

11,812

4,567

6,726

3,507

9,183

4,646

52,992

3,300

3,707

826

10,391

24,902

28,018

1,872

237

31

14

5

2

18,382

6,173

12,347

12,086

15,280

1,204

13,903

18,738

26,735

14,837

3,162

10,741

13,306

5,433

13,403

5,436

7,896

4,167

10,670

5,212

58,363

6,001

3,644

993

10,356

27,736

33,448

2,263

339

34

29

7

2

16,760

6,069

11,883

11,356

15,329

12,815

34,849

40,796

42,182

24,668

8,860

25,988

27,793

13,003

22,288

8,557

11,337

6,338

18,330

3,804

112,941

6,071

10,790

8,889

7,791

37,212

79,248

11,789

3,288

1,046

910

767

445

43,283

11,861

23,703

26,207

34,323

3,119

40,345

46,939

52,440

29,503

9,294

31,051

33,757

13,181

26,612

10,770

15,057

7,818

21,685

4,895

130,855

10,014

11,784

11,679

8,297

41,190

96,277

14,465

4,441

1,135

1,930

820

673

40,769

1 1 ,592

24,694

26,191

36,274

29,708

£.. \

4.0

3.8

4.0

4.3

9.1

4.9

5.2

7.2

6.5

11.8

7.7

9.8

6.3

12.2

3.1

18.1

10.7

11.3

6.6

4.4

4.0

13.3

22.8

25.7

34.5

46.5

39.7

5.7

9.1

7.1

7.0

6.3

12.9

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Surveys.

24

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 2.3. Number of Commercial Buildings and Total Floorspace, 1979 and 1989

Building 

Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

Number of Buildings 

(thousand)

1979

1.1

1979 

(adjusted)*

NF

1989

0.8

Floorspace 

(million square feet)

1979

1.1

1979 

(adjusted)

NF

1989

0.9

RSE 

Row 

Factors

All Buildings . .

Census Region

Northeast ....

Midwest .....

South .......

West .......

Principal Building Activity

Assembly .............

Education .............

Food Sales and Service . . 

Health Care ...........

Lodging .............

Mercantile and Service . . . 

Office ................

Warehouse ............

Other ................

Vacant ...............

Building Floorspace 

(square feet)

1,001 to 2,000 .... 

2,001 to 5,000 .... 

5,001 to 10,000 . . . 

10,001 to 25,000 . . 

25,001 to 50,000 . . 

50,001 to 100,000 . . 

100,001 10200,000 . 

200,001 to 500,000 . 

Over 500,000 .....

3,073

530

977

1,094

472

425

158

317

50

97

968

455

367

115

122

532

1,000

706

486

193

94

41

17

3

3,667

677

889

1,411

690

538

248

267

67

115

1,056

508

459

116

292

830

1,251

712

507

197

98

49

18

6

4,528

783

1,046

1,847

851

617

282

343

80

140

1,278

679

618

157

333

1,012

1,517

890

644

247

127

61

23

7

43,546

9,531

14,197

13,661

6,156

5,329

5,969

1,770

1,955

2,074

9,959

6,986

6,007

2,129

1,367

786

3,356

5,073

7,665

6,780

6,449

5,558

5,169

2,710

50,004

11,688

13,144

16,548

8,624

6,006

7,482

1,609

1,744

2,658

9,879

8,017

7,039

1,940

3,630

1,252

4,360

5,226

8,107

7,025

7,043

6,733

5,520

4,738

63,184

13,569

15,955

22,039

11,620

6,909

8,076

1,958

2,054

3,476

12,365

11,802

9,253

3,129

4,161

1,535

5,254

6,532

10,393

8,801

9,130

8,277

7,022

6,239

4.3

9.8 

8.5 

8.2 

9.6

9.7

9.6

8.9

15.7

11.4

6.4

7.2

7.9

12.8

15.1

7.6 

5.0 

6.3

7.2

7.3

8.6

9.3

12.7

15.3

Year Constructed

1899 or Before ........... 

190010 1919 ............

192010 1945 ............

194610 1959 ............

1960(01969 ............

1970(01979 ............

198010 1989 ............

168 

327

625

686

592

675

172 

242

680

868

821

884

172 

242

680

868

821

884

861

1,999 

4,660

8,660

8,391

9,360

10,478

1,654 

4,245

8,098

10,511

12,617

13,329

1,654 

4,245

8,098

10,511

12,167

13,329

13,180

14.5 

11.1

8.1

7.7

6.9

7.0

6.9

See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for adjustment of 1979 buildings and floorspace estimates to account for 1979 CBECS undercoverage.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 25

3. Energy Sources and End Uses

Energy is an important but often unnoticed contributor to the high levels of productivity and quality of life enjoyed 

by U.S. residents. Energy is used in buildings to provide heating, cooling, lighting, and other services to the building 

occupants. Throughout the 1980's, the two energy sources that were most widely used in the residential and 

commercial sectors were electricity and natural gas. The former was used almost universally, while the latter was 

used in more than half of both residential and commercial buildings. Other energy sources, such as fuel oil and 

district heat, were used in fewer than 21 percent of buildings (Figure 3.la and b).

The major purposes for which energy was used in residential and commercial buildings were for space heating, water 

heating, air conditioning, lighting, and appliances. Electricity, the most versatile, was used for all these end uses. 

The other major sources of energy were most often used for space heating. Fuel oil was used predominantly in the 

Northeast Census region.

In residential and commercial buildings throughout the 1980's:

 The percentages of buildings that used electricity and natural gas remained approximately constant.

 The percentage of buildings using fuel oil declined.

 Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) use in residential buildings was constant at just over 10 percent of buildings, 

while use of district heat in commercial buildings was constant at two percent.

 Kerosene use in residential buildings increased (due to the increased popularity of portable space heaters).

Figure 3.1. Percent of Buildings Using Major Energy Sources for Any Purpose in the 1980's

a. Residential b. Commercial

100 • o——s——o—————e———————s———————o 100 -^_

90 j Electricity go .; Ei^cTnotf

s, so< s, so; c c

is 70-; is 70 ,

•5 : ^^_^_____ _____Natural Gas -3 !

_ ^ ': Natural Gas

° 50- 2 50 |

| 40 ! | 40 -i

e? 30 • o! 30 i

20 H ; 20 •

^ Fuel Oii '

04 —

10-

, District Heat

1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980,1981,1982,1984, 

1987, and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979,1983, and 1986 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 27
The choice of energy sources is related to average building floorspace, one of the major differences between the 

residential and commercial sectors.

 In the commercial sector, natural gas, fuel oil, and district heat were supplied to a greater proportion of 

floorspace than the proportion of buildings, reflecting their greater use in larger buildings. In the residential 

sector, the use of energy sources by number of buildings was virtually identical to the percent of floorspace 

that used the same energy sources.

 The use of district heat provides a striking example of the effect of building size. In commercial buildings, 

district heat was used in just two percent of the buildings, but these buildings accounted for ten percent of the 

floorspace. In 1989, 50 percent of the commercial buildings (representing 54 percent of total commercial 

floorspace) that used district heat were buildings larger than 200,000 square feet, while fewer than eight percent 

of commercial buildings smaller than 25,000 used district heat.

Figure 3.2. Percent of Floorspace Using Major Energy Sources for Any Purpose in the 1980's

a. Residential b. Commercial

100

90 

a 80

Q. £ 70 o

E 60 

'o 50

v 40 

o

"30 

20 

10

o

1980 1985 1990

100;,.

90

8

0) 

£ 80

Q.

!2 70 

o

£ 60 

o 50

§ 40 

o

» 30 

20 

10*-.

o

1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1 980, 1 981 , 1 982, 1 984, 

1 987, and 1 990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-1 43, 788, and 871 of the 1 979, 1 983, and 1 986 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Sources Used for Major End Uses

The energy sources used for the major end uses (space heating, water heating, and air conditioning) varied according 

to the end use employed. Natural gas was the energy source of choice for space heating in both sectors. Natural 

gas was the first choice for water heating in residential buildings.5 Residential and commercial buildings were 

primarily cooled by electricity. Fuel oil was used in fewer than 1 3 percent of buildings for space heating and in 

fewer than five percent for water heating.

The percentage of buildings that used natural gas, electricity, or fuel oil for specific end uses changed little during 

the 1980's (Figures 3.3a and b, and 3.4a and b). Notable exceptions included the more widespread use of electricity 

for main space heating and an increase in air conditioning in residential buildings to more than 60 percent by the 

end of the decade (the latter reflected the increasing popularity of central air conditioning systems).

'Space heating use in commercial buildings included both main (i.e., most used) and secondary uses.

28

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 3.3. Use of Electricity for Space Heating, Air Conditioning, and Water Heating in Residential 

and Commercial Buildings in the 1980's

a. Residential b. Commercial

100

90

80

w

¥ 70

1 60

CD

o 50

1 40

O

I 30

20

10

0

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 

1984, 1987, and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey.

Figure 3.4. Use of Natural Gas and Fuel Oil for Space Heating and Water Heating in Residential and 

Commercial Buildings in the 1980's

a. Residential b. Commercial

100

90

80

U>

|> 70

T3

1 60 

m •5 50

1 40

I 30 

20

10

0

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980,1981,1982,1984, 

1987, and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979,1983, and 1986 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 29
Energy Sources Used for Space Heating

Natural gas, electricity, and fuel oil were the major energy sources used for space heating, the end use that accounted 

for the largest share of energy consumption in both residential and commercial buildings (Figures 3.5a and b):

• Natural gas was the most popular energy source used for space heating in residential and commercial buildings.

• Electricity and fuel oil were used for main space heating in 15 percent of residential buildings at the beginning 

of the decade, with electricity rising to 20 percent and fuel oil falling to 10 percent by the end of the decade.

• During the 1980's, electricity was used in the commercial sector for space heating in 25 percent to 30 percent 

of the buildings; fuel oil was used in 10 to 20 percent of the buildings; and district heat was used in fewer than 

5 percent of the buildings.

The proportion of natural gas, electricity, and fuel oil used for space heating varied by the age of the buildings and 

by Census region, but this proportion remained about the same throughout the decade. The use of natural gas, 

electricity, or fuel oil varied in the building stock by year of construction (Figures 3.6a and b):

• The newer the building, the more likely it was to use electricity.

• The older the building, the more likely it was to use natural gas or fuel oil. 

Each of the Census regions used the three major energy sources in different proportions (Figures 3.7a and b):

• The Northeast had by far the largest proportion of buildings using fuel oil.

• The proportion of buildings using natural gas was highest in the Midwest and West.

• The proportion of buildings in the South and West using electricity was two to three times higher than the 

proportion in the Northeast and Midwest.

Figure 3.5. Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Buildings in the 1980's

a. Residential b. Commercial 

100 —• 100

90 90

so; so

|> 70 |> 70

'B 'i • ,->' <--e. ^

= 60; _„_..__ "" ' """ 3 60

CD *~~' ——————-.'——— -..--———---.-.--- ———-— - ——' QQ ^ __ _ „ _ _ • ' - ! ("•'•- •5 so | -5 so--—---——--—- — ..._•_•.-_-:.:.__:-,

| 40 : | 40 •

S y

o> 30 ffl 30 Q. 0- ,

201 Electricity _<>.— -•—---••* 20

10! ~ ' * •"""••" ^ITni'V-;"•"•• 10 Kerosene "' ' LiisU'C! Heas

1980 1985 1990 1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980,1981,1982,1984, 

1987, and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Forms EIA-143,788, and 871 of the 1979,1983, and 1986 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys; and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

30 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 3.6. Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Buildings by Age of Building

a. Residential b. Commercial

o

HI

Fuel Oil ftfff

Natural Gasp 

Electricity g

^ Electricity •i«»'».^^^^»»^^-—---

to

a

Fuel Oil P

Natural Gas? 

Electricity

20 40 60 

Percent of Buildings

BO

a, o

UJ

o Natu

Fuel Oil »

* Electricity TM??i:rim..

20 40 60 

Percent of Buildings

80

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, and Form 

EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Figure 3.7. Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Buildings by Census Region

a. Residential b. Commercial

COo

Fuel Oil

Natu

Electricity ^»M-^- —

Fuel Oil i»

Natural Gas P

•T- Elsctricitv' ^^^=£-^^^^-1—-— -•-—•—

COo

Fuel OilFgV

Natural Gas

20 40 60 

Percent of Buildings

80

co o

m

Fuel Oil f

u Natural Gas'-

Electricity gTM 

0 20 40 60 

Percent of Buildings

80

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, and Form 

EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 31
Table 3.1 a. Energy Sources Used for All End Uses in Residential Buildings, Number of Buildings 

and Total Floorspace

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

Energy Sources

Any Energy 

Source

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.3

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.4

Electricity

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.3

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.4

Natural Gas

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.8

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.9

Fuel Oil

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

1.7

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

1.6

Kerosene

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

2.6

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

2.7

LPG

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

2.5

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

2.5

RSE 

Row 

Factors

1980

1981

1982

65,471 142,495 65,440 142,480 39,838 88,521 10,506 27,996 1,293 1,983 7,380 12,146 4.3

66,210 144,201 66,174 144,183 41,636 92,768 9,468 26,133 1,919 3,468 7,224 12,151 4.0

66,210 142,247 66,169 142,220 41,111 91,847 9,711 25,293 3,200 6,534 7,171 11,730 4.2

1984 ............. 67,576 144,357 67,516 144,274 41,355 93,163 8,837 23,316 6,040 11,259 7,674 11,992 3.5

1987 ............. 70,446 156,818 70,424 156,780 42,599 99,357 8,948 24,360 5,918 10,939 7,610 12,286 3.8

1990 ............. 74,213 169,227 74,179 169,204 44,829 106,320 9,151 25,386 5,112 9,338 7,979 13,876 4.1

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Table 3.1 b. Energy Sources Used for Main Space Heating in Residential Buildings, Number of 

Buildings and Total Floorspace

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

Energy Sources

Any Energy 

Source

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.2

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.2

Electricity

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

1.3

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

1.1

Natural Gas

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.6

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.6

Fuel Oil

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

1.1

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

1.0

Kerosene

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

3.5

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

3.2

LPG

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

3.0

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

2.0

RSE 

Row 

Factors

1980

1981

1982

65,046 141,964 9,999 22,086 36,293 78,242 9,299 25,084 769 811 3,544 5,152 6.2

65,897 143,734 9,088 20,122 38,073 82,308 8,177 22,729 834 1,038 3,670 5,569 5.9

65,879 141,809 9,125 19,370 37,528 81,429 8,289 21,611 689 900 3,735 5,440 6.9

1984 ............. 67,156 143,814 10,012 21,082 37,023 81,495 7,749 20,381 1,332 1,689 3,863 5,216 5.8

1987 ............. 69,831 155,839 11,869 26,888 39,075 88,895 8,096 22,060 1,259 1,453 4,141 6,286 6.3

1990 ............. 73,703 168,625 14,480 32,372 41,528 96,553 8,228 22,965 999 1,137 4,346 7,266 6.6

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

32

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 3.2a. Energy Sources Used for All End Uses in Commercial Buildings, Number of Buildings 

and Total Floorspace

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

All Commercial 

Buildings

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.7

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.7

Energy Sources

Any Energy 

Source

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.7

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.7

Electricity

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.7

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.7

Natural Gas

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

0.9

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

0.9

Fuel Oil

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

1.6

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

1.2

District Heat

Build 

ings 

(thou 

sand)

2.6

Floorspace 

(mil 

lion 

sq. ft.)

2.4

RSE 

Row 

Factors

1979 ........

1983 ........

1986 .......

1989 ........

..... 3,073

..... 3,185

..... 4,154

..... 4,528

43,546

49,471

58,199

63,184

3,014

3,062

3,994

4,299

43,220

48,460

56,835

61,618

3,001

3,052

3,965

4,294

43,153

48,327

56,508

61,563

1 ,864 30,477

1 ,904 33,935

2,214 37,263

2,420 41,143

641 11,397

441 9,409

534 1 1 ,005

581 12,600

47

57

77

98

3,722

4,454

4,625

6,578

8.2

7.9

4.8

5.1

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys, and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Table 3.2b. Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Commercial Buildings, Number of Buildings 

and Total Floorspace

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

All Commercial

Buildings

Build 

ings

(thou 

sand)

0.6

Floorspace

(mil 

lion

sq. ft.)

0.6

Energy Sources

Any Energy

Source

Build 

ings

(thou 

sand)

0.6

Floorspace

(mil 

lion

sq. ft.)

0.6

Electricity

Build 

ings

(thou 

sand)

1.3

Floorspace

(mil 

lion

sq. ft.)

1.2

Natural Gas

Build 

ings

(thou 

sand)

0.9

Floorspace

(mil 

lion

sq. ft.)

0.8

Fuel Oil

Build 

ings

(thou 

sand)

1.4

Floorspace

(mil 

lion

sq. ft.)

1.1

District Heat

Build 

ings

(thou 

sand)

2.3

Floorspace

(mil 

lion

sq. ft.)

2.1

RSE

Row

Factors

1979 ........

1983 ........

1986 ........

1989 ........

..... 3,073

..... 3,185

..... 4,154

..... 4,528

43,546

49,471

58,199

63,184

2,814

2,808

3,626

3,876

41,424

45,685

53,915

57,868

769

892

1,166

1,283

10,724

15,325

18,223

18,702

1 ,605 23,725

1,671 26,885

2,018 31,542

2,158 33,017

593 9,186

397 6,835

504 8,708

555 10,526

44

54

74

94

3,586

4,297

4,389

6,065

9.7

9.3

5.5

6.0

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 33
Table 3.3. Major End Uses by Energy Source Used in Residential Buildings 

Number of Buildings

(thousand)

Year of 

Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

1980 .....

1981 .....

1982 .....

1984 .....

1987 .....

1990 .....

All 

Residential 

Buildings

0.3

End-Uses by Type of Energy Source

Electricity

Main Space 

Heating

1.8

65,471 9,999 

66,210 9,088 

66,210 9,125 

67,576 10,012 

70,446 11,869 

74,213 14,480

Water 

Heating

1.1

21,991 

22,514 

22,078 

24,121 

26,532 

28,023

Air 

Conditioning

0.9

35,764 

34,988 

34,900 

37,403 

42,722 

47,739

Natural Gas

Main Space 

Heating

0.8

36,293 

38,073 

37,528 

37,023 

39,075 

41,528

Water 

Heating

0.8

35,204 

36,755 

36,377 

35,126 

36,553 

38,924

Fuel Oil

Main Space 

Heating

1.6

9,299 

8,177 

8,289 

7,749 

8,096 

8,228

Water 

Heating

2.3

RSE Row 

Factors

3,996 4.2 

3,436 4.3 

3,073 4.5 

2,926 4.1 

2,661 4.3 

3,225 4.2

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Table 3.4. Major End Uses by Energy Sources Used in Commercial Buildings 

Number of Buildings

(thousand)

Year of 

Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

All 

Commercial 

Buildings

0.6

End-Uses by Type of Energy Source

Electricity

Space 

Heating

1.3

Water 

Heating

0.9

Cooling

0.7

Natural Gas

Space 

Heating

0.9

Water 

Heating

0.8

Fuel Oil

Space 

Heating

1.4

Water 

Heating

2.0

RSE Row 

Factors

1979 .....

1983 .....

1986 .....

1989 .....

3,073

3,185

4,154

4,528

769

892

1,166

1,283

998

1,186

1,387

1,554

1,935

2,089

2,712

3,072

1,605

1,671

2,018

2,158

1,024

1,130

1,323

1 QQ1

593

397

504

555

125

109

132

126

9.5

9.1

E 0

R o

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

34

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 3.5 Energy Sources Used for Main Space Heating in Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990 

Number of Buildings

(thousand)

Building Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

Electricity

1980

1.2

1990

1.3

Natural Gas

1980

0.7

1990

0.7

Fuel Oil

1980

1.2

1990

1.2

RSE Row 

Factors

41,528 9,299 8,228 5.8

Census Region

Northeast ...............

Midwest ................

South ..................

West ..................

Census Division

New England ............

Middle Atlantic ...........

East North Central ........

West North Central ........

South Atlantic ............

East South Central ........

West South Central ........

Mountain ...............

Pacific .................

Type of Home

Mobile Home ............

Single-Family Detached ....

Single-Family Attached .....

2 to 4 Units .............

5 or More Units ..........

Building Floorspace

(square feet)

Fewer than 1,001 .........

1,001 to 2,000 ...........

2,001 to 5,000 ...........

5,001 to 10,000 ..........

10,001 1025,000 .........

25,001 to 50,000 .........

50,001 to 100,000 .........

100,001 to 200,000 ........

Over 200,000 ............

Year Constructed

1 939 or Before ...........

194010 1949 ............

1950 to 1959 ............

196010 1969 ............

197010 1979 ............

198010 1990 ............

1,035

1,379

5,708

1,876

175

860

1,009

370

3,264

1,549

896

493

1,383

1,075

7,656

504

489

275

1,692

4,061

3,831

334

63

11

2

3

Q

672

335

974

1,801

5,651

566

1,280

1,531

8,673

2,996

254

1,025

1,083

448

5,788

1,487

1,398

704

2,292

1,133

9,758

2,453

725

411

2,325

5,718

5,937

360

113

11

14

1

Q

814

536

1,128

1,675

4,925

5,402

4,740

12,179

10,460

8,914

560

4,180

8,296

3,883

3,321

1,884

5,255

2,455

6,459

1,364

30,066

1,940

2,478

446

5,105

14,428

15,721

920

100

12

Q

Q

Q

10,226

3,910

8,384

7,312

5,962

499

6,282

13,359

12,327

9,561

747

5,534

9,400

3,959

4,103

2,405

5,818

3,082

6,479

1,975

33,957

2,754

2,345

497

4,598

15,996

19,290

1,412

201

17

Q

3

1

10,588

4,099

7,628

7,226

7,075

4,912

5,203

1,405

2,222

468

1,618

3,585

1,014

391

2,129

84

Q

Q

394

389

7,469

738

610

92

740

2,561

5,445

478

60

Q

5

2

1

4,133

1,089

1,944

1,220

899

14

5,313

1,174

1,457

Q

1,833

3,481

907

267

1,332

Q

*

Q

Q

283

6,732

684

456

73

606

2,029

5,177

380

Q

Q

Q

Q

1

2,946

663

1,898

1,281

1,161

278

12.1

12.9

11.2

11.3

13.2

15.0

16.4

18.4

17.2

17.0

14.4

19.7

11.4

26.1

6.3

19.6

15.3

16.3

13.2

8.2

7.4

16.3

28.1

34.1

20.3

38.8

21.4

10.5

14.0

10.6

10.8

10.8

19.6

* = Value rounds to zero in the units displayed.

Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 10 households were sampled.

Notes: • To obtain the RSE percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding RSE row factor for the 

cell. • Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 35
Table 3.6. Energy Sources Used for Space Heating in Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989 

Number of Buildings

(thousand)

Building 

Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

Electricity

1979

1.3

1989

0.8

Natural Gas

1979

0.9

1989

0.6

Fuel Oil

1979

1.2

1989

1.3

RSE Row 

Factors

All Buildings ...........

Census Region

Northeast .............

Midwest ..............

South ................

West ................

Principal Building Activity

Assembly .............

Education .............

Food Sales and Service . . 

Health Care ...........

Lodging ..............

Mercantile and Service . . . 

Office ................

Warehouse ............

Other ................

Vacant ...............

Building Floorspace 

(square feet)

1,001 to 2,000 .........

2,001 to 5,000 .........

5,001 to 10,000 ........

10,001 to 25,000 .......

25,001 to 50,000 .......

50,001 to 100,000 .......

100,001 to 200,000 ......

200,001 to 500,000 ......

Over 500,000 ..........

Year Constructed

1899 or Before .........

190010 1919 ..........

1920to 1945 ..........

194610 1959 ..........

1960101969 ..........

197010 1979 ..........

198010 1989 ..........

769

76

116

420

156

100

39

93

11

46

193

161

81

27

19

121

243

186

136

45

25

7

3

1

15

37

101

139

174

302

1,283

136

159

703

284

187

54

104

37

64

351

283

112

41

49

251

415

228

239

85

39

17

6

2

41

45

117

179

218

333

350

1,605

254

681

422

249

243

74

166

31

35

579

245

152

47

33

240

489

398

289

105

50

24

9

1

99

212

384

341

326

244

2,158

300

705

690

462

311

182

186

36

66

687

356

195

65

76

397

715

485

303

134

75

32

14

3

88

141

345

473

409

364

338

593

220

142

179

52

121

42

39

8

15

211

64

61

22

8

83

181

156

102

39

16

10

5

1

48

67

146

156

87

89

555

298

86

150

22

98

36

36

12

11

216

58

48

28

14

117

180

95

89

33

21

14

4

3

31

33

137

136

88

85

45

9.2

14.4

15.4

17.1

14.8

16.0

17.1

17.5

25.8

21.0

11.7

13.0

14.8

19.7

26.7

13.7

11.9

13.5

12.5

12.6

13.2

13.5

16.5

26.2

25.4

17.3

13.3

13.6

13.9

13.1

11.9

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

36

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
4. Energy Consumption and Expenditures

Consumption and Energy Intensities for Major Energy Sources

Throughout the 1980's, energy consumption in residential buildings was greater than in commercial buildings (Figure 

4.la). However, when difference in size between residential and commercial buildings was taken into account, the 

energy intensity in commercial buildings was shown to be twice that in residential buildings (Figure lb). 6 This 

difference was due to the more intensive use of energy-demanding equipment in commercial buildings, and in many 

cases, longer hours of operation. In residential buildings energy-consuming equipment is typically operated less 

intensively during the day, when the occupants are gone, or at night, when they are asleep, for fewer hours of 

intensive operation overall.

In the 1980's:

• Residential building consumption increased to 15.4 quadrillion Btu by 1990, while energy intensity declined 

from 100 thousand Btu per square foot in 1980 to just over 90 thousand in 1990 (Figures 4.la and b).

• By 1989, commercial building consumption was 11.4 quadrillion Btu (Figure 4.1a). 7 Energy intensity in 

commercial buildings declined from 203 thousand Btu per square foot in 1979 to 180 thousand in 1989 (Figure

Figure 4.1. Residential and Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in the 

1980's

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

1980 v.;:;?;v|;.;.;;..;.;,;

1990 >;:;V'"^§': :::: * : :

0 5 10 15 20 0 50 100 150 200 250 

Quadrillion Btu Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, and Form 

EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

'Energy intensity is defined as energy consumed per square foot of floorspace. Energy intensities for specific energy sources apply to only 

the floorspace that used the energy source.

7The apparent increase in commercial buildings cannot be confirmed because of the effect of the 1979 building undercount noted in Appendix 

C. If the reported 1979 consumption is adjusted by applying the 1979 intensity to adjusted floorspace, then the reported 1979 consumption (8.8 

quadrillion Btu) rises to 10.2 quadrillion Btu, within the statistical uncertainty of the 1989 consumption estimate of 11.4 quadrillion Btu.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

37
Electricity and natural gas were the two major sources of energy consumed in both residential and commercial 

buildings (Figures 4.2 and 4.3).8 Appliances and lighting were the major electricity end uses, while space heating 

was the major natural gas end use.9

• The major source of primary energy consumption in residential buildings was electricity, which accounted for 

more than nine quadrillion Btu by 1990, followed by natural gas at five quadrillion Btu. Fuel oil and LPG were 

consumed in much smaller quantities (Figure 4.2a). 10

• In commercial buildings, electricity consumption accounted for 4 times as much energy as natural gas, followed 

by smaller levels of fuel oil and district heat consumption (Figure 4.3a).

In the 1980's:

• Electricity consumption increased and fuel oil consumption declined in residential buildings. The former was 

due to the demand for additional appliances and equipment. Natural gas consumption and LPG consumption 

were unchanged (Figure 4.2a).

• In both sectors, energy intensity declined for all sources except electricity, which showed no change (Figures 

4.2b and 4.3b). The increase for district heat is explained by differences in surveys. In 1989, purchased and 

nonpurchased steam and hot water were included; in 1979, only purchased steam was included.

• Although electricity consumption increased due to the increased demand for services and increase in total 

floorspace, its intensity held steady due to the improved efficiency of its use (Figures 4.2a and b, 4.3a and b).

Figure 4.2. Residential Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Source, 

1980 and 1990

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Electricityi

Natural Gas I

Electricity

Natural Gas i

Fuel Oil

LPG s

468 

Quadrillion Btu

10

Fuel Oil

LPG

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

*The electricity consumption statistics in this report are for primary energy consumption and include electrical system energy losses. Primary 

energy consumption takes into account the fuels that are used to produce and distribute electricity. All other energy sources are reported as site 

consumption. See Assessment of Energy Use in Multibuilding Facilities, DOE/EIA-0555(93)/1 for discussion of primary district heat consumption.

'Space heating and air conditioning energy consumption are not adjusted for the effect of weather.

'"Kerosene is combined with fuel oil. Total kerosene consumption in residential buildings was 0.1 quadrillion Btu or less.

38

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 4.3. Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Source, 

1979 and 1989*

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Electricity^

Natural Gas

Fuel OilIT

District Heat.

Electricity!

Natural Gas

Fuel Oil

District Heat

4 6 

Quadrillion Btu

10 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

1979 includes only purchased steam, 1989 includes purchased and nonpurchased steam and purchased and nonpurchased hot 

water.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Consumption and Energy Intensity by End Use

Across all buildings, residential appliances and space heating were the end uses that consumed the greatest amount 

of energy." In residential buildings, water heating consumed between 2.4 quadrillion Btu, while air conditioning 

consumed up to 1.5 quadrillion Btu (Figure 4.4a). The second largest end use in commercial buildings was space 

heating at 2.2 quadrillion Btu. 12

Energy intensities for residential appliances and space heating were comparable to each other and more than twice 

the intensities of water heating or air conditioning (Figure 4.4b). Improvements in the efficiency of new equipment 

and appliances attained during the 1980's did not have a large enough impact to reduce the average intensity of the 

entire building stock. Space heating intensity declined while changes in the other end-use intensities were minor. 

The decline in space heating intensity can be attributed, at least partially, to the warmer winter weather in 1990. 13

"Space heating and air conditioning energy consumption were not adjusted for the effect of weather.

12End-use consumption estimates for commercial buildings are only available for the 1989 survey. For additional information on these 

estimates, see Energy End-Use Intensities in Commercial Buildings, DOE/EIA-0555(94)/2 (Washington, DC, September 1994).

"See Figure 2, Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1990, DOE/EIA-0321(90) (Washington, DC, February, 1993).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

39
Figure 4.4. Residential Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by End Use, 

1980 and 1990

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Appliances

Space Heating

Water Heating

Space Heating i-^^^,^ -sxg^i^j ^*>^^%j< f^i^ -^ ^K^- '

Water Heating ,,,Ta ,, ,.„ ,..,,.

Air Conditioning Air Conditioning v , v,r.... !T ,

'

•<L 3 4 5 6 7 

Quadrillion Btu

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 4.5. Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by End Use, 1989

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Lighting

Space Heating , 

Office Equipment

Water Heating ", 

Air Conditioning '

Ventilation 

Refrigeration 

Cooking • 

Other

0 1 2 

Quadrillion Btu

Space Heating !**OKj 

insect

Office Equipment |Bli|

Water Heating ^||1

Air Conditioning fj^'

Ventilation |j|£f

Refrigeration •£ if$fCooking >*'3J^

Other ;Sjj^

0 10 20 30 40 50

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

40

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Energy Consumption by Source and End Use

Electricity dominates as an energy source because of its unique ability to provide many different kinds of desired 

services (e.g., lighting, household appliances), its universal availability, and its flexibility—all electric houses are 

common, all natural gas or fuel oil are not, since they cannot provide energy for all end uses.

In residential buildings, energy was used primarily for appliances and space heating . Electricity consumption for 

appliances exceeded that of any other source (Figure 4.6a). Electricity consumption for appliances was nearly four 

times the consumption for any other electricity end use (Figure 4.6b).

Natural gas was the major energy source consumed for space heating, accounting for more than twice as much 

consumption than any other source (Figure 4.6a). Natural gas space heating consumption exceeded that of any other 

natural gas end use by more than two times in residential buildings and four times in commercial buildings (Figures 

4.6 and 4.7).

During the 1980's, the two major changes in end-use consumption in residential buildings were an increase in 

electricity consumption for appliances and a decline in fuel oil consumption for space heating (Figures 4.6a and b). 

The former may be ascribed to the use of additional appliances (e.g., microwave ovens, water bed heaters, personal 

computers and printers) and the latter to the choice of other energy sources (natural gas or electricity) for space 

heating.

In commercial buildings, natural gas was devoted primarily to space heating; for all other end uses, electricity was 

the major energy source (Figure 4.7a). Lighting exceeded office equipment by more than two times as the major 

consumer of electricity (Figure 4.7b).

Figure 4.6. Energy Consumption by Energy Source and End Use in Residential Buildings, 

1980 and 1990.

a. Energy Sources Used for Major End-Uses b. End-Use Consumption for Major Energy Sources

Electricity mmwaaiimmmim&smB&iifaim Appliances 

Natural Gas ^, -MMhd'cO' Air Conditioning

Water Heating 

Natural Gas meemsms.mmt,Km : Space Heating Fuel oil «««;;: Srd . fc ...^

Electricity^: r^]r,, ^ ^ Space Heating,

Natural Gas 8H» Water Heating ,

Electricity »»• ,v 3l- -^i-. Appliances,.

Electricity pmM& °' ir Cond'tioning Space Heatingj

01234567 01234567

Quadrillion Btu Quadrillion Btu

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

41
Figure 4.7. Energy Consumption by Energy Source and End Use in Commercial Buildings, 1989.*

a. Energy Sources Used for Major End-Uses b. End-Use Consumption for Major Energy Sources

Electricity

Natural Gas District Heat jp 0.4 Fuel OilBos 

Electricity

Natural Gas Electricity

Electricity 

Electricity 

Electricity H_o 

0

0 ? Water Heating

1.2 Office Equipment

0 6 Air Conditioning 

Ventilation

1234 

Quadrillion Btu

Lighting

Office Equipment

Air Conditioning

Ventilation

Water Heating

Space HeatingH 03

Space Heating _ 

Water HeatingH 03

Space HeatingH 1 

Space HeatingH c 3 

0

Electricity

Natural Gas

District Heat

Fuel Oii

234 

Quadrillion Btu

End-use consumption estimates are available only for the 1989 survey.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Expenditures

Total energy expenditures for single-family detached homes far exceeded the total energy expenditures for all other 

building types, consistent with the dominance of energy consumption in these buildings (Figure 1.6). Total 

expenditures for energy (expressed in constant 1987 dollars) were about 50 percent greater for residential buildings 

than for commercial buildings (Figure 4.8). 14 In residential buildings, appliances and space heating constituted the 

greatest expenditure among end uses, but for different reasons (Figure 4.9). 15 Space heating expenditures were 

driven by the large quantities of energy consumed (see Figure 4.4a), while appliances expenditures were driven by 

the predominance of electricity as the energy source, the most expensive source on a per Btu basis. In both sectors, 

expenditures for electricity were greatest, more than twice those of natural gas in residential buildings and eight times 

those for commercial buildings (Figures 4.10a and b).

During the 1980's, total expenditures for energy in residential buildings declined (Figure 4.8). Electricity 

expenditures increased and fuel oil expenditures declined in residential buildings (Figure 4.10a). In residential 

buildings, expenditures for space heating and appliances were at nearly identical levels at the beginning of the 

decade, then diverged mid-decade when expenditures for space heating declined. By 1990, expenditures for 

appliances exceeded expenditures for space heating by 13.5 billion dollars (Figure 4.9). The divergence reflected 

increased consumption for appliances and rising electricity prices, along with the decline in natural gas prices from 

a peak in the mid-1980's.

When expenditures are considered relative to consumption (expenditure intensity in dollars expended for each million 

Btu consumed), at the end of the decade electricity per Btu of primary consumption was 41 percent more expensive 

than natural gas in residential buildings and 49 percent more expensive in commercial buildings (Figures 4.11 a and 

b). 16

42

14See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for adjustment of expenditures to 1987 dollars. 

'''There are no estimates available of expenditures by end-use for commercial buildings. 

"Intensities for all major sources and electricity refer to primary electricity consumption.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 4.8. Total Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for Energy in Residential and Commercial Buildings 

in the 1980's

1980

1990

1979

1989

20 40 60 80 

Billion (1987) Dollars

100 120

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Figure 4.9. Expenditures (1987 Dollars) for End Uses in Residential Buildings in the 1980's

50

40

co 

= 

§30

CO 

O)

.o 

S

10

1980 1985 1990

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-457 of the 1980,1981,1982,1984, 

1987, and 1990 Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

43
Figure 4.10. Residential and Commercial Buildings Expenditures (1987 Dollars) by Energy Source

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990 b. Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

Electricity Electricity

Natural Gas, Natural Gas

Fuel Oil, Fuel Oil,

20 40 60 

Billion (1987) Dollars

80 20 40 60 

Billion (1987) Dollars

80

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, and Form 

EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Figure 4.11. Residential and Commercial Buildings Expenditure Intensities (1987 Dollars) by 

Energy Source

a. Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990 b Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

All Major Sources All Major Sources ,

Electricity > Electricity a

Natural Gas , Natural Gas

246 

Dollars (1987) per Million Btu

246 

Dollars (1987) per Million Btu

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys; Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, and Form 

EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

44
Energy Consumption and Characteristics of Residential and

Commercial Buildings

In the following sections, energy consumption is broken down by major building characteristics. These differing 

characteristics-building type, size of building, Census region, and year of construction-can affect the amount of 

energy consumed, because of differing end uses and differing amounts of consumption by energy source. For each 

of these characteristics, comparisons are made between residential and commercial buildings, and between the 

beginning and end of the 1980's.

Type of Building

The single family detached home dominated all other single building types in energy consumption (Figure 4.12), as 

well as in number of buildings, total floorspace, and total expenditures. The total energy consumption of singlefamily detached homes at the end of the decade, however, was only slightly greater than the of consumption in 

commercial buildings, a fact that reflects the greater consumption intensity in commercial buildings. Energy 

consumption in other residential building types comprised about one fourth of total residential consumption.

Figure 4.12. Total Primary Energy Consumption by Building Type, 1990 RECS and 1989 CBECS

Single-Family Detached fj

2 to 4 Unit 

5 or More Units fj 

Single-Family Attached 

Mobile Home

Office

Mercantile/Service i^ _ 

Education j|fj 

Warehouse

Food Sales/Service Hf 

Assembly fl| 

Health Care f|f 

Lodging ft 

Vacant '•• 

Other Iff

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 

Quadrillion Btu

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

45
Within the residential sector, more than 70 percent of energy consumption was in single-family detached homes. 

Other residential building types each accounted for only four to twelve percent of total energy consumption (Figure 

4.13a). Total energy intensities were lowest for single-family detached and attached homes, and greatest for multiunit (two to four units and five or more units) buildings and mobile homes (Figure 4.13b).

Within the commercial sector, the three largest energy-consuming commercial building types were office buildings, 

mercantile and service buildings, and education buildings. Combined, these three used slightly more than half of 

commercial consumption and had energy intensities of less than 240 thousand Btu per square foot. In contrast, 

energy intensities were greatest for health care buildings, and food sales and service buildings, both in excess of 320 

thousand Btu per square foot, but combined, these two used less than 15 percent of total consumption (Figures 4.14a 

and b). The remaining commercial building types were comparable to each other in consumption levels, each 

consuming between six and ten percent of total commercial consumption.

Intensity of energy use does not directly correlate with energy consumption. Natural gas energy intensities were 

largely comparable in both residential and commercial buildings, with the highest levels being for health care 

buildings, food sales and service buildings, lodging buildings, and mobile homes (Figures 4.15a and 4.16a). 16 

Electricity intensities in all types of residential buildings, except electricity-intensive mobile homes, were similar to 

each other and lower than in commercial building types. Electricity intensities in commercial buildings, on the other 

hand, were much more variable than in residential buildings, with the highest values in food sales and service 

buildings and health care buildings, where there was especially intensive use of equipment and appliances.

The following trends were observed in the 1980's:

• Energy intensities declined most in multi-unit residential buildings and mobile homes (Figure 4.13b).

• There were variable changes in consumption by type of commercial building. In offices and mercantile 

buildings consumption increased, in warehouses consumption decreased, and in other commercial buildings 

consumption was roughly constant during the decade (Figure 4.14a).

• Natural gas intensities either declined or showed no significant change in residential and commercial buildings 

(Figures 4.15a and 4.16a).

• Changes in electricity intensities showed no consistent trend. Electricity intensities in single-family attached 

homes, mercantile and service buildings, health care buildings, and food sales and service buildings increased, 

while in mobile homes, warehouses, and commercial lodging buildings intensities declined. All other residential 

and commercial types showed essentially no changes (Figures 4.15a and 4.16b).

"Energy intensities for specific energy sources apply to only the floorspace that used the source.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 

46
Figure 4.13. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Type of Residential Building, 

1980 and 1990

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Single-Family 

Detached

Two to Four Units x 

Five or More Units sa

Single-Family 

Attached

Mobile Home

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 

Quadrillion Btu

Single-Family 

Detached

Two to Four Units

Five or More Units a* IK?

Single-Family 

Attached

Mobile Home 

0 50 100 150 200 250 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 4.14. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity by Type of Commercial Building, 

1979 and 1989

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Office

Mercantile/Service

Education

Warehouse

Food Sales/Service

Assembly ifrjsssp

rloaltn Ocir3 -jj^ds'rsi^^'-f-s

Lodging ^j^., 

Other

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 

Quadrillion Btu

Office

Mercantile/Service/rEducation 

Warehouse 

Food Sales/Service

Health Care s 

Lodging

Other

0 100 200 300 400 500 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

47
Figure 4.15. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity by Type of Residential Building, 

1980 and 1990

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Single-Family 

Detached

Two to Four Units

Five or More Units

Single-Family } 

Attached

Mobile Norm0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Single-Family 

Detached

Two to Four Units*

Five or More Unitsgf:

Single-Family , 

Attached

Mobile Home

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 4.16. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity by Type of Commercial Building, 

1979 and 1989

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Mercantile/Service 

ati

Food Sales/Service

Health Caret

Lodging 

Other

0 50 100 150 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Mercantile/Service

Education

Warehouse

Food Sales/Service

Assembly %&*8spt 

Health Care

0 100 200 300 400 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

48

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Size of Building

Energy consumption in residential buildings was concentrated in two size categories (encompassing buildings between 

1,000 and 5,000 square feet in size), while commercial building consumption was more evenly distributed across all 

building sizes (Figures 4.17a and 4.18a). In the residential sector, nearly three-fourths of residential consumption 

occurred in the 1,001 to 5,000 square feet categories, which are the two categories that contain essentially all singlefamily detached homes (Figure 4.17a).

In both residential and commercial buildings, energy intensities were highest for the smallest size categories. Natural 

gas intensities were greatest for the smallest residential and commercial buildings and for the same size categories, 

residential intensities were lower (Figures 19a and 20a). Electricity intensities showed roughly similar distributions, 

with the highest levels in the smallest buildings. As with natural gas, electricity intensities were much lower in 

residential buildings than commercial buildings for the same size categories (Figures 4.19b and 4.20b). The fact that 

the smallest buildings had the higher intensities is explained by the type of buildings found in these size categories. 

In the commercial sector, the two most abundant building types were food sales and service buildings and health care 

buildings, the two types with the highest energy intensities. In the residential sector, the type that had the highest 

intensities, mobile homes, were found only in the smallest size categories.

During the 1980's:

• Intensities declined or were unchanged in residential buildings (Figure 4.17b).

• Each of the categories of commercial buildings smaller than 25,000 square feet declined in energy intensity, 

while larger buildings showed no significant change (Figure 4.18b).

• Natural gas intensities declined, or remained unchanged, for all sizes of residential and commercial buildings. 

The increase for commercial buildings in the 25,001 to 50,000 category was not statistically significant (Figures 

4.19aand4.20a).

Figure 4.17. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Size 

of Building, 1980 and 1990

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Fewer than 1,001 ^p Fewer than 1,001 j

1,001 to ° """'lilllliaiillMillilliL ' ^ 1 '°01 to 2 < 000 9

2,001 to 5,000MMBMBH&^iM 2,001 to 5,000|j

5,001 to 10,000 M 5,001 to 10,000 (

10,001 to 25,000£ ,: M _ ' 10,001 to 25,000|

25,001 to 50,000. 25,001 to 50,000 j

50,001 to 100,000 j 50,001 to 100,000,

100,001 to 200,000, , 100,001 to 200,0001

Over 200,000 Over 200,000 j

0 2 4 6 8 10 0 50 100 150 200 250 

Quadrillion Btu Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

49
Figure 4.18. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by 

Size of Building, 1979 and 1989

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

1,001 to 2,000,,, ;

2,001 to 5,000 f-i

5,001 to 1 0,

10,001 to zs.ofm

25,001 to 50,000 

50,001 to 1 00,000 

100,001 to 200, 

200,001 to 500,000, 

Over 500,000 

0 0.5 1 1.5 

Quadrillion Btu

1,001 to 2,000

2,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 25,000

25,001 to 50,000

50,001 to 100,000

100,001 to 200,000

200,001 to 500,000

Over 500,000

SI100 200 300 400 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Figure 4.19. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Size of Building, 

1980 and 1990

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Fewer than 1 ,001 

1,001 to 2,000 « 

2,001 to 5,000, 

5,001 to 1 0,000 v 

10,001 to 25,000 ^ 

25,001 to 50,000 .- 

50,001 to 1 00,000 S , 

100,001 to 200,000 ^ 

Over 200,000 ; 

0 20 40 60 80 100120140 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Fewer than 1,001 

1,001 to 2,000 

2,001 to 5,000 

5,001 to 10,000 wssws , 

10,001 to 25,000 

25,001 to 50,0 

50,001 to 100,000 

100,001 to 200,000 ge^gs 

Over 200,000

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 10 households were 

sampled.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

50
Figure 4.20. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Size of 

Building, 1979 and 1989

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

1,001 to 2,000 \

2,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 25,000

25,001 to 50,000

50,001 to 100,000

100,001 to 200,000

200,001 to 500,000

Over 500,000

0 50 100 150 200 250 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

1,001 to 2,000

2,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 25,000

25,001 to 50,000

50,001 to 100,000

100,001 to 200,000

200,001 to 500,000

Over 500,000 j

0 50 100 150200250300350 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Census Region

Similar patterns of regional variation occurred for both residential and commercial consumption and intensity. The 

share of consumption in residential and commercial buildings was greatest in the South (Figure 4.21a and 4.22a). 

This was due to the presence of a greater number of people (hence, number of residences and more commercial 

activity) in the South.

Natural gas intensities were greatest in both residential and commercial buildings in the Midwest (Figures 4.23a and 

4.24a). In residential buildings, electricity intensities were highest in the South; in commercial buildings, they were 

highest in the West (Figures 4.23b and 4.24b).

In the 1980's:

• Residential energy intensities declined in every region except in the West, where there was no change (Figure 

4.21b).

• Commercial consumption showed one change, an increase in the West (Figure 4.22a).

• Commercial buildings intensities declined in the Midwest, South, and Northeast but increased in the West 

(Figure 4.22b).

• With the exception of residential buildings in the West, natural gas intensities declined in all regions in both 

sectors (Figures 4.23a and 4.24a).

• Electricity intensities increased in the West in commercial buildings; otherwise, they were unchanged in all 

other regions in both sectors (Figures 4.23b ana 4.24b).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

51
Figure 4.21. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by 

Census Region, 1980 and 1990

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Northeast

Midwest

South*

West,

234 

Quadrillion Btu

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

20 40 60 80 100 120 140 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 4.22. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by 

Census Region, 1979 and 1989

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

1 2 3 

Quadrillion Btu

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

50 100 150 200 250 300 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

52

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure 4.23. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Census Region, 

1980 and 1990

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Northeast:

Midwest

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

20 40 60 80 100 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Figure 4.24. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Census 

Region, 1979 and 1989

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

20 40 60 80 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

100

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

50 100 150 200 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

250

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

53
Year Constructed

In the 1990 survey, the energy intensities of residential buildings constructed in the 1980's were lower than those 

built during the preceding decades. This is a preview of the future, when buildings constructed after 1980 will 

constitute a larger share of the building stock and, thus, lower energy intensities can be expected.

At the end of the 1980's, more than half of residential energy and more than a third of commercial energy was 

consumed in buildings constructed before 1960 (Figures 4.25a and 4.26a). In contrast, just under half of residential 

buildings and floorspace and about 40 percent of commercial buildings and floorspace were constructed before 1960.

Energy intensities were at similar levels across year-constructed categories in the residential sector for the 1980 

residential survey. In the 1989 commercial buildings survey, the energy intensities of most recently constructed 

buildings exceeded those constructed before 1960 (Figure 4.25b). This reflected the increased demand for electricity 

consumption in the most recently constructed buildings.

In the 1980's:

• Energy intensity in commercial buildings constructed in the 1970's, 1960's, and before 1960 all declined 

(Figure 4.25b).

• Natural gas intensities generally declined by 10 to 30 percent across the year-constructed categories in both 

sectors, while electricity intensities showed no change (Figures 4.27a and b and 4.28a and b).

Figure 4.25. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by 

Year Constructed, 1980 and 1990

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

Before 1960 v- ; Before 1960 %,,.:....,, •...>.-,.

1960to1969 1960101969 , , K , , ,

1970to1979 , 1970 to 1979 v /fe ,.>. ;

1980 to 1990 1980 to 1990

0 2 4 6 8 10 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 

Quadrillion Btu Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

54
Figure 4.26. Primary Energy Consumption and Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by 

Year Constructed, 1979 and 1989

a. Energy Consumption b. Energy Intensity

1960 to

1970 to 1979 :«,,i

Before 1960:

1960 to 1969,,,

1970 to 1979,

1980to 1989,,

12345 

Quadrillion Btu

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form E1A-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Figure 4.27. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Residential Buildings by Year 

Constructed, 1980 and 1990

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Before 1960* Before 1960«.

1970 to 1979. to I y / y ^

1980 to 1990,

V

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

1 Qfin trt i sou 10

0 20 40 60 80 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's

55
Figure 4.28. Natural Gas and Electricity Energy Intensity in Commercial Buildings by Year 

Constructed, 1979 and 1989

a. Natural Gas b. Electricity

Before 1960 Before

1960 to 196010 1969

1970 to 1979 ,

1980 to 1989 : ,, .»„.,„„.„*.,,,.,ft^.

1970 to 1979

1980 to 1989

0 20 40 60 80 100 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

0 50 100 150 200 250 

Thousand Btu per Sq. Ft.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

56

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 4.1. Total Primary Consumption for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Residential Buildings 

(quadrillion Btu)

Year of 

Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

Energy Sources

All Major 

Sources

0.3

Electricity

0.4

Natural Gas

0.7

Fuel Oil and 

Kerosene*

1.1

Fuel Oil

1.3

Kerosene

3.4

LPG

2.8

RSE Row 

Factors

1980 ......

1981 ......

1982 .....

1984 ......

1987 ......

1990 ......

14.382

14.283

13.417

14.154

14.790

15.368

7.541

7.414

7.187

7.599

8.419

9.182

4.967

5.273

4.743

4.984

4.832

4.863

1 .524

1.281

1.196

1.256 1.154 0.102

1.224 1.135 0.089

1.041 0.976 0.065

0.349

0.314

0.290

0.315

0.315

0.281

4.6

4.7

5.2

4.5

4.4

4.6

Fuel oil and kerosene were combined in the 1980, 1981, and 1982 surveys.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Table 4.2. Energy Intensities for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Residential Buildings 

(thousand Btu per square foot)

Year of 

Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

Energy Sources

All Major 

Sources

0.4

Electricity

0.6

Natural Gas

0.5

Fuel Oil and 

Kerosene

1.0

Fuel Oil

1.0

Kerosene

4.3

LPG

2.1

RSE Row 

Factors

1980 ......

1981 ......

1982 ......

1984 ......

1987 ......

1990 ......

100.93

99.05

94.32

98.05

94.31

90.81

52.93

51.42

50.54

52.67

53.70

54.27

56.12

56.84

51.64

53.50

48.63

45.74

51.31

44.38

39.83

39.25 49.47

36.76 45.81

31.36 38.46

28.77

25.87

24.73

9.10 26.24

8.14 25.67

7.01 20.24

3.2

3.3

3.7

3.0

3.3

3.7

Fuel oil and kerosene were combined in the 1980, 1981, and 1982 surveys.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 57
Table 4.3. Total Primary Consumption for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Commercial Buildings 

(quadrillion Btu)

Year of Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

1979 ..........

1979, adjusted". .. 

1983 ..........

1986 ..........

1989 ..........

Energy Sources

All Major Sources Electricity Natural Gas

0.7 0.8 1.1

8.847 5.790 2.174

10.159 6.649 2.497 

9.257 6.564 2.091

9.906 7.319 1.723

11.401 8.386 2.073

Fuel Oil* District Heat

1.6 2.2

0.681 0.201

0.782 0.231 

0.314 0.289

0.442 0.422

0.357 0.585

RSE Row Factors

11.0

NF 

10.0

7.8

8.6

'Includes kerosene.

'1979 consumption adjusted by applying 1979 consumption intensity to adjusted floorspace. See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for further discussion.

NF = No applicable RSE row/column factor.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Table 4.4. Energy Intensities for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Commercial Buildings 

(thousand Btu per square foot)

Year of Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

Energy Sources

All Major Sources

0.7

Electricity

0.9

Natural Gas

1.2

Fuel Oil*

1.4

District Heat

1.9 RSE Row Factors

1979 ..........

1983 ..........

1986 ..........

1989 ..........

203.16

187.13

170.21

180.44

134.18

135.82

129.53

136.21

71.35

61.61

46.23

50.39

59.73

33.42

40.14

28.32

54.04

64.79

91.24

88.96

7.0

9.5

6.5

7.0

Includes kerosene.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-143, 788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

58

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 4.5. Total Primary Consumption by End Use in Residential Buildings 

(quadrillion Btu)

Year of 

Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

End Uses

All End Uses

1.0

Space Heating

NF

Water Heating

NF

Air Conditioning

NF

Appliances

NF

RSE Row 

Factors

1980 ......

1981 ......

1982 ......

1984 ......

1987 ......

1990 ......

14.382

14.283

13.417

14.154

14.790

15.368

5.907

5.887

5.294

5.747

5.522

5.404

2.366

2.334

2.220

2.292

2.284

2.356

1.132

1.070

1.049

1.047

1.345

1.467

4.977

4.991

4.854

5.068

5.639

6.141

1.1

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

NF = No applicable RSE row/column factor.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Table 4.6. Energy Intensities by End Use in Residential Buildings 

(thousand Btu per square foot)

Year of 

Survey

RSE Column 

Factors:

End Uses

All End Uses

1.0

Space Heating

NF

Water Heating

NF

Air Conditioning

NF

Appliances

NF

RSE Row 

Factors

1980 ......

1981 ......

1982 ......

1984

1987

1990 ......

100.94

99.06

94.33

98.05

94.31

90.81

42.64

42.30

38.39

40.91

36.04

32.41

16.71

16.28

15.71

16.02

14.64

13.97

14.08

12.72

12.45

11.75

13.59

12.94

34.93

34.61

34.13

35.11

35.96

36.29

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.1

1.2

1.4

NF = No applicable RSE row/column factor.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary* for definition of terms used In this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 59
Table 4.7. Total Primary Consumption by Major Energy Sources and End Uses in Residential Buildings 

(quadrillion Btu)

Energy Sources

Electricity

Year of Space Water Air 

Survey Heating Heating Appliances Conditioning

1980 ..... 0.960 0.925 4.565 1.091 

1981 ..... 0.922 0.928 4.515 1.049

1982 ..... 0.919 0.865 4.379 1.024

1984 ..... 0.917 0.991 4.676 1.015

1987 ..... 0.863 0.961 5.263 1.332

1990 ..... 0.918 1.027 5.782 1.457

Natural Gas Fuel Oil

Space Wa 

Heating Hea

3.411 

3.692 

3.144 

3.509 

3.382 

3.367

ter Space 

ting Appliances Heating

.152 0.365 

.133 0.427 

1.148 0.427 

1 .095 0.347 1 .006 

.100 0.337 0.966 

.160 0.326 0.866

Fuel Oil and 

Kerosene Kerosene

Space Space 

Heating Heating

1 .305 

1.063 

1.045 

0.101 

0.088 

0.065

Fuel oil and kerosene were combined in the 1980, 1981, and 1982 surveys.

Notes: • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report. • No applicable Relative Standard Error (RSE) row/column factors for end-use 

estimates.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984,1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Table 4.8. Total Primary Consumption by Major Energy Sources and End Uses in Commercial Buildings 

(quadrillion Btu)

Energy Sources

Year of Survey

Electricity

Lighting Cooling Ventilation

Space 

Heating

Water 

Heating

Natural Gas

Space 

Heating

Water 

Heating

District Heat

Space Heating

Fuel Oil

Space 

Heating

1989 3.094 0.853 0.841 0.290 0.073 1.265 0.320 0.355 0.301

Notes: • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report. • No applicable Relative Standard Error (RSE) row/column factors for end-use 

estimates.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey, and Energy End-Use Intensities in Commercial Buildings, DOE/EIA-0555(94)/2.

60

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 4.9a. Total Expenditures for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Residential Buildings 

(billion dollars)

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

Energy Sources

All Major Sources

1987 

Dollars

0.5

Current 

Dollars

0.5

Electricity

1987 

Dollars

0.7

Current 

Dollars

0.7

Natural Gas

1987 

Dollars

1.3

Current 

Dollars

1.3

Fuel Oil and Kerosene

1987 

Dollars

2.2

Current 

Dollars

2.2

RSE Row 

Factors

1980 ........

1981 ........

1982 ........

1984 ........

1987 ........

1990 ........

. . . . . 102.735

. . . . . 103.512

. . . . . 102.034

. . . . . 106.795

. . . . . 97.747

. . . . . 96.994

75.613

83.016

86.525

96.970

97.747

110.185

55.446

55.855

55.116

59.999

61.580

62.972

40.808

44.796

46.739

54.479

61.580

71.537

26.860

29.959

31.798

32.793

26.149

23.998

19.769

24.027

26.964

29.776

26.149

27.261

16.630

14.199

1 1 .879

10.571

7.208

7.260

12.239

11.387

10.074

9.598

7.208

8.247

2.6

2.5

2.7

2.4

2.4

2.4

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

Table 4.9b. Total Expenditures for All End Uses by Major Energy Source in Commercial Buildings 

(billion dollars)

Year of Survey

RSE Column Factors:

Energy Sources

All Major Sources

1987 

Dollars

0.8

Current 

Dollars

0.8

Electricity

1987 

Dollars

0.9

Current 

Dollars

0.9

Natural Gas

1987 

Dollars

1.0

Current 

Dollars

1.0

Fuel Oil

1987 

Dollars

1.4

Current 

Dollars

1.4

RSE Row 

Factors

1979 ............

1979, adjusted' .....

1983 ............

1986 ............

1989 ............

50 444

57.812

63.156

62.339

65.217

33.596

38.503

55.451

60.219

70.826

35.662

40.922

44.737

48.847

51.513

23.751

27.254

39.279

47.186

55.943

8.730

9.984

13.033

8.649

8.475

5.814

6.649

1 1 .443

8.355

9.204

4.152

4.716

2.394

2.132

1.678

2.765

3.141

2.102

2.059

1.822

8.7

NF

8.4

5.4

6.2

1979 expenditures adjusted by applying 1979 expenditure intensity to adjusted 1979 floorspace. See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for further discussion.

NF = No applicable RSE row/column factor.

Notes: • To obtain the Relative Standard Error (RSE) percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding 

RSE row factor for the cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Forms EIA-143,788, and 871 of the 1979, 1983, and 1986 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 61
Table 4.10. Total Expenditures by End Use in Residential Buildings 

(billion dollars)

Year of Survey

End Uses

Space Heating

1987 

Dollars

Current 

Dollars

Water Heating

1987 

Dollars

Current 

Dollars

Air Conditioning

1987 

Dollars

Current 

Dollars

Appliances

1987 

Dollars

Current 

Dollars

1980 ..........

1981 ..........

1982 ..........

1984 ..........

1987 ..........

1990 ..........

40.709

40.605

39.408

32.380

31.682

. . . . . 30.079

29.962

32.565

33.418

36.881

31.682

34.170

15.323

15.604

15.715

16.229

13.910

13.445

11.278

12.514

13.326

14.736

13.910

15.274

8.182

8.024

8.044

8.307

9.829

9.932

6.022

6.435

6.821

7.543

9.829

11.283

38.520

39.281

38.868

41.642

42.326

43.537

28.351

31.503

32.960

37.811

42.326

49.458

Notes: • See 'Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report. • No applicable Relative Standard Error (RSE) row/column factors for end-use 

estimates.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, and 1990 

Residential Energy Consumption Surveys.

62

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Table 4.11 Total Primary Consumption and Energy Intensities in Residential Buildings, 1980 and 1990

Building 

Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

Total Consumption 

(quadrillion Btu)

1980

1.1

1990

1.2

Energy Intensities 

(thousand Btu per sq. ft.)

All Major Sources

1980

0.7

1990

0.7

Electricity

1980

1.1

1990

1.1

Natural Gas

1980

1.1

1990

1.1

RSE 

Row 

Fac 

tors

14.382 15.368 100.93 90.81 52.93 54.27 56.12 45.74 1.5

Census Region

Northeast ...............

Midwest ................

South ..................

West ..................

Census Division

New England ............

Middle Atlantic ...........

East North Central ........

West North Central ........

South Atlantic ............

East South Central ........

West South Central ........

Mountain ...............

Pacific .................

Type of Home

Mobile Home ............

Single-Family Detached

Single-Family Attached .....

2 to 4 Units .............

5 or More Units ..........

Building Floorspace

(square feet)

Fewer than 1,001 .........

1,001 to 2,000 ...........

2,001 to 5,000 ...........

5,001 to 10,000 ..........

10,001 to 25,000 .........

25,001 to 50,000 .........

50,001 to 100,000 .........

100,001 to 200,000 ........

Over 200,000 ............

Year Constructed

1939 or Before ...........

1940 to 1949 ............

1950(0 1959 ............

1960 to 1969 ............

1970101979 ............

1980to 1990 ............

3.273

4.190

4.741

2.178

0.777

2.496

2.945

1.245

2.342

0.971

1.428

0.649

1.529

0.678

10.448

0.559

1.468

1.228

1.426

4.562

6.736

0.854

0.348

0.164

0.127

0.106

0.058

4.136

1.280

2.465

2.700

3.525

0.276

3.246

4.153

5.364

2.605

0.728

2.517

2.997

1.157

2.560

1.090

1.714

0.781

1.824

0.735

11.071

0.906

1.352

1.304

1.331

4.636

7.508

1.065

0.385

0.126

0.188

0.077

0.053

3.607

1.129

2.297

2.386

3.495

2.454

93.91

102.70

112.39

88.30

87.68

96.03

105.96

95.73

105.09

113.43

125.96

102.43

83.42

178.30

92.51

92.00

136.08

138.04

183.06

122.60

85.00

72.48

105.69

156.83

139.39

138.39

130.50

95.55

107.89

104.00

103.01

102.71

88.61

80.45

88.48

102.30

88.28

78.38

81.07

88.77

87.75

96.20

101.19

113.85

99.88

84.10

150.07

85.60

90.52

114.77

111.63

160.36

112.55

77.97

73.60

86.66

110.87

97.61

94.38

78.22

88.49

97.36

93.03

91.12

96.34

82.60

35.44

44.81

76.65

50.49

33.98

35.93

44.59

45.29

71.52

86.08

79.63

51.44

50.18

116.20

50.36

40.34

48.77

72.04

105.70

69.14

41.97

36.71

52.82

69.98

51.69

82.65

66.71

35.38

48.73

49.83

56.82

74.47

66.14

35.07

42.82

78.63

55.42

33.87

35.43

42.08

44.71

76.61

77.90

82.72

54.93

55.60

99.98

50.86

57.04

51.65

73.50

106.42

70.93

44.40

40.03

57.84

65.32

68.44

47.11

36.09

38.01

50.09

50.32

55.51

68.71

62.75

50.12

69.63

53.27

44.48

47.11

50.71

74.67

58.89

51.48

55.34

54.06

60.61

39.12

97.49

53.22

43.60

85.21

50.43

104.83

66.82

50.49

41.79

44.23

54.65

25.61

18.58

Q

59.01

60.94

58.41

55.40

48.00

37.80

43.81

54.22

38.70

42.91

44.95

43.61

56.13

49.48

37.65

37.64

40.15

55.62

37.96

78.33

42.14

45.88

68.75

48.83

80.56

55.07

41.59

38.22

38.37

46.24

33.59

35.29

27.34

53.07

50.95

46.05

43.19

42.55

34.30

2.8

2.6

3.1

3.0

5.0

3.6

3.6

4.1

4.5

7.9

5.0

5.6

3.6

5.6

1.9

7.4

4.5

5.0

3.7

2.4

2.0

6.4

13.3

13.3

15.6

22.9

27.7

2.8

4.2

3.5

3.6

3.4

7.0

Q = Data withheld either because the Relative Standard Error (RSE) was greater than 50 percent or fewer than 10 households were sampled.

Notes: • To obtain the RSE percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding RSE row factor for the 

cell. • Because of rounding, data may not sum to totals. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-457 of the 1980 and 1990 Residential Energy 

Consumption Survey.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 63
Table 4.12. Total Primary Consumption and Energy Intensities in Commercial Buildings, 1979 and 1989

Building 

Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

Total Consumption 

(quadrillion Btu)

1979

0.9

1979 

(adjusted)'

NF

1989

1.0

Energy Intensities 

(thousand Btu per square foot)

All Major Sources

1979

0.9

1989

0.8

Electricity

1979

1.2

1989

0.9

Natural Gas

1979

1.2

1979

1.1

RSE 

Row 

Fac 

tors

8.847 10.159 11.401 203.16 180.44 134.18 136.21 71.35 50.39 5.7

Census Region

Northeast ..................

Midwest ...................

South .....................

West .....................

Principal Building Activity

Assembly ..................

Education ..................

Food Sales and Service .......

Health Care ................

Lodging ...................

Mercantile and Service ........

Office .....................

Warehouse .................

Other .....................

Vacant ....................

Building Floorspace

(square feet)

1 ,001 to 2,000 ..............

2,001 to 5,000 ..............

5,001 to 10,000 .............

10,001 to 25,000 ............

25,001 to 50,000 ............

50,001 to 100,000 ............

100,001 to 200,000 ...........

200,001 to 500,000 ...........

Over 500,000 ...............

Year Constructed

1899 or Before ..............

190010 1919 ...............

192010 1945 ...............

194610 1959 ...............

1960 to 1969 ...............

197010 1979 ...............

1980(0 1989 ...............

2.082

3.033

2.742

0.989

0.702

0.842

0.685

0.730

0.520

1 .627

1.723

1.093

0.764

0.161

0.288

0.888

0.950

1.463

1.322

1.191

1.083

1.077

0.584

0.362

0.623

1.684

1 .569

2.053

2.556

2.553

2.808

3.322

1.385

.791

1.056

0.623

0.651

0.667

1.614

1.977

1.280

0.695

0.427

0.459

1.153

0.979

1.547

1.370

1.301

1.312

1.150

1.021

0.299

0.568

1.574

1.966

2.668

3.252

--

2.540

2.892

3.621

2.348

0.818

1.143

0.835

0.761

0.705

2.161

2.811

1.027

0.964

0.177

0.415

0.936

1.065

1.562

1.426

1.731

1.561

1.438

1.266

0.178

0.391

1.062

1.754

2.467

2.820

2.728

218.46

213.66

200.74

160.61

131.67

141.11

387.03

373.42

250.88

163.37

246.56

181.90

358.38

117.75

366.97

264.50

187.35

190.86

195.00

184.75

194.82

208.38

215.40

181.07

133.74

194.42

187.00

219.31

243.97

--

187.18

181.25

164.31

202.04

118.32

141.51

426.32

370.31

202.73

174.75

238.20

110.98

308.14

42.58

270.38

178.07

163.12

150.31

162.07

189.64

188.57

204.82

202.84

107.67

92.20

131.18

166.91

202.76

211.57

206.97

136.49

127.14

149.68

112.89

76.42

82.80

294.48

199.68

174.00

110.26

184.17

113.30

217.30

95.75

260.78

176.61

106.22

109.52

145.26

130.37

131.20

139.02

147.41

115.01

72.27

104.85

117.62

152.00

186.91

--

132.89

117.26

138.94

161.31

82.20

81.22

336.51

226.56

120.01

134.48

200.33

82.95

239.60

39.16

219.06

135.36

118.23

115.37

115.49

146.83

142.41

158.12

151.20

48.03

58.97

80.88

112.41

149.38

167.66

178.02

65.64

85.25

60.46

61.47

53.50

51.29

127.16

127.03

75.52

55.85

59.05

83.90

166.55

47.39

183.21

121.09

104.03

95.52

49.40

59.74

45.45

53.63

55.74

59.74

50.21

93.31

64.01

65.97

77.47

--

41.46

64.84

42.68

48.01

40.37

48.72

113.62

116.34

73.73

47.40

32.97

40.20

82.74

Q

133.25

77.38

67.09

48.31

56.69

40.06

39.57

45.17

38.50

52.31

40.22

42.46

56.77

54.05

54.41

45.73

11.9

8.6

9.3

12.1

13.1

10.5

10.1

10.4

13.6

10.1

7.1

16.4

24.7

24.3

8.5

7.3

10.9

9.6

10.2

12.9

13.5

14.3

16.8

15.4

16.9

14.8

10.9

9.5

7.4

8.7

1979 consumption adjusted by applying 1979 consumption intensity to adjusted 1979 floorspace. See Appendix C, "Data Quality", for further 

discussion.

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

Notes: To obtain the RSE percentage for any table cell, multiply the corresponding RSE column factor by the corresponding RSE row factor for the 

cell. • See "Glossary" for definition of terms used in this report.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Form EIA-143 of the 1979 Nonresidential Buildings Energy 

Consumption Survey and Form EIA-871 of the 1989 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

64

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Appendix A

Detailed Tables

This report introduces several innovations in energy data reporting that complement the previously published triennial 

reports of the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) and the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption 

Survey (CBECS). (1) Both residential and commercial sector buildings data are presented together in the report. 

Common units of analysis, the residential or commercial building and floorspace, are used to facilitate comparison. 17 

(2) Unlike the triennial RECS and CBECS that focus on energy data for a single year, this report focuses on an 

entire decade of energy data. (3) A common set of table types is used to provide consistency across the sectors and 

across time. (4) Energy expenditures are reported in both nominal and real terms. (5) End-use consumption and 

expenditures are provided for the earlier RECS, data that were not published in the original Consumption and 

Expenditures reports. (6) Primary energy consumption is reported for all energy consumption estimates.

Table Format

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is responsible for publishing national-level statistics on energy 

consumption by end users. Currently, the EIA publishes statistics for the residential, residential transportation 

(personal vehicles), commercial buildings, and manufacturing sectors. For the commercial sector, data are collected 

via a nationwide survey of commercial buildings, the CBECS. The RECS collects data from the households in the 

residential sector. This report summarizes a decade of energy data that were obtained via the RECS and CBECS, 

using data from the six RECS and the four CBECS, which were conducted between 1979 and 1990.

The RECS and CBECS data bases for the ten surveys over the 1979 to 1990 time frame contain an enormous amount 

of information on buildings and energy. A major consideration in the preparation of this report was how to limit 

these data to a manageable size. The detailed tables were designed to provide, as much as possible, information that 

is consistent between the two sectors and across the time period covered. The format of the tables was geared 

towards answering four general energy-related questions: (1) How many buildings used each possible energy 

source/end-use combination? (2) How much floorspace was in buildings which used each possible energy source/end 

use combination? (3) How much energy was consumed? and (4) How much money was spent on energy?

For a given table, the row-stub categories address information on several major building characteristics that are 

common to both surveys: location, type of building, size, and year of construction. There are eight types of tables: 

three types provide data on the number of buildings and the total floorspace by energy source and end use; two types 

provide data on energy consumption by energy source and end use; two types provide similar data for energy 

expenditures; and one type provides total and average consumption and expenditures by energy source. A given table 

or set of tables can provide information on energy use between the residential and commercial sectors or on energy 

use within a sector over the decade either among energy sources or end uses.

"For further information concerning the development of the common units of analysis, see Appendix C, "Data Quality."

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 65

Appendix B

How the Surveys Were Conducted

The RECS and CBECS reports differ in some ways from survey year to survey year: sample sizes fluctuate, target 

populations change, data questionnaires are reworded, and data collection methods vary slightly. Both the RECS 

and CBECS reports are products of an evolving process of data collection designed to meet the needs of our 

customers at that particular time and to eliminate difficulties encountered in past surveys. This appendix briefly 

describes the survey methodologies of the RECS and CBECS, as well as sampling and nonsampling errors and 

response rates.

Survey Methodologies

The RECS and the CBECS were designed to collect data on energy consumption, energy expenditures, and energyrelated characteristics of residential and commercial buildings. The surveys are conducted in two stages: (1) A 

Household (RECS)/Building (CBECS) Survey and an Energy Suppliers Survey. The Household/Building 

Characteristics Survey consists of personal interviews with knowledgeable respondents at each sample 

household/building. The only exception occurred in 1983, when the CBECS was conducted by Computer Assisted 

Telephone Interview (CATI). The interview covered topics such as physical characteristics of the structure, 

occupancy patterns, major equipment, conservation practices, and the types and uses of energy in the structure.

At the end of the interview, respondents were asked to provide the names and addresses of the companies that supply 

energy to their household/building in the form of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or district heating and cooling 

(CBECS only), and to sign a form authorizing the EIA to collect billing information directly from these energy 

supply companies. A separate mail survey, the Energy Suppliers Survey, asks these energy suppliers to provide data 

on the amounts and costs of energy delivered to the household/building during the survey year.

Tables B1 and B2 are provided for readers to compare the RECS and the CBECS survey samples and designs over 

the decade as well as response rates associated with each survey year. For a discussion on the individual surveys, 

see the appendices of previous publications of the RECS and CBECS. 18

Table B1. RECS Survey Sample and Design, 1980 to 1990

Survey Sample

Sample Size

Total Units .........

Eligible Units .......

Interviews

Response Rates .....

Data Collection

Target Population ....

Collection 

Instrument ........

1980

7,232

6,634

6,051

91.2%

Housing Units 

Personal

1981

7,550

6,841

6,269

91 .6%

Same as 

1980 

Same as 

1980

1982

5,808

5,272

4,724

89.6%

Same as 

1980 

Same as 

1980

1984

7 ^^

6,752

5,682

84.2%

Same as 

1980 

Same as 

1980

1987

8,007

7,183

C OOQ

86.7%

Same as 

1980 

Same as 

1980

1990

6,607

5,909

5,095

86.2%

Same as 

1980 

Same as 

1980

For the definition of Housing Unit, see Appendix E, "Glossary."

"See Appendix E, "Related EIA Energy Consumption Publications."

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 67
Table B2. CBECS Survey Sample and Design, 1979 to 1989

Survey Sample 

and Design 1979 1983 1986 1989

Sample Size

Total Units ..... 

Eligible Units . . . 

Interviews

Completed .... 

Response

Rate ........

Data Collection

Target Population

Collection 

Instrument

7,322

6,773

6,222 

91.8%

Subset of nonresidential 

buildings, excluding those 

in which industrial or 

agricultural activities 

occupy more of the total 

floorspace than any other 

type of activity

Personal Interview

8,479

8,018

7,140 

89.1%

Same as 1979

Computer Assisted 

Telephone Interview 

(CATI)

9,189

7,539

7,024 

93.2%

Buildings used primarily for 

commercial purpose 1,001 

square feet or more - 

buildings 1,000 square feet 

or less were excluded from 

the published estimates

Personal Interview

8,791

6,352

5,877 

92.5%

Same as in 

1986 - interviews 

were not 

conducted at 

buildings 1,000 

square feet or 

less

Same as 1986

Nonsampling and Sampling Errors

Nonsampling errors are the set of all errors in surveys that arise from anything other than the sampling process. 

Because these errors occur outside the sampling process, they are equally likely to occur in a complete census or 

a sample survey. Nonsampling errors include: (1) operational errors, including editing, coding, and tabulation errors; 

(2) errors of measurement, including a lack of precision by the respondent and failure of the respondent to understand 

instruction; (3) errors of estimation, including the assumptions underlying the derived values; and (4) errors of 

nonobservation, including nonresponse and noncoverage. Some nonsampling errors are random, some are not. 

Random nonsampling errors tend to cancel out the set of all possible samples; however, these errors do affect 

estimates in a given survey. Biased nonsampling error occurs when some systematic error occurs, such as an 

interviewer consistently re-wording a question and thereby changing the question's meaning and biasing the response. 

Biased nonsampling error, when present, will affect the estimates regardless of the specific sample chosen. There 

is no measure for errors that occur outside of the sampling process.

Sampling errors occur because the CBECS and RECS samples represent only one of the possible samples that could 

be selected under the same survey specifications. The estimated values are developed from one of many possible 

samples that could be drawn and, therefore, will differ from true population values that would be obtained from a 

complete enumeration. Each possible sample yields its own estimates of the true population values, with the 

differences attributable to the particular set of cases selected in each sample.

One measure of the variability caused by the sampling process is the average magnitude between the values for the 

population of all samples and the true population value. This measure is the difference one would expect to obtain 

between a given estimate and the true value, based on the mean difference from the true value over all possible 

samples. In other words, sampling error is a measure of the variability of all samples, one of which was drawn. 

This measure accounts only for random sampling error. Biased sampling errors occur when the survey sample design 

itself allows for systematic error. For example, in the early CBECS, buildings under 1,000 square feet were included 

in the survey sample. It was later discovered that these small buildings could not be accurately represented in a 

national CBECS survey and were excluded in 1986. This deficient representation could be considered a biased

68

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
sampling error. It is believed that there are few large systematic biases in the RECS and CBECS estimates and to 

a great extent the sampling errors which occur are random.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 69

Appendix C

Data Quality

Because the estimates in this report are based on observations from randomly chosen subsets of the entire population 

of commercial buildings and residential households and these observations span a 10-year period, several factors 

arise, which affect the quality of the data. This appendix briefly discusses nonresponse adjustment procedures, 

computation of relative standard errors (RSE), development of a common unit of analysis (i.e., the building), the 

energy price index used to maintain constant purchasing power, and the undercoverage issue associated with the early 

CBECS.

Nonresponse Adjustment

There are two major types of nonresponse: unit nonresponse and item nonresponse. Most unit nonresponse occurs 

when a respondent refuses to cooperate or is unavailable. Item nonresponse occurs when the respondent does not 

know or, less frequently, refuses to give the answer to a particular question or when the interviewer does not ask 

the question or does not record the answer during the interview. The next two sections provide details on the 

procedures followed to deal with each type of nonresponse.

Adjustments for Item Nonresponse

Nonresponses to several items in otherwise completed questionnaires were treated by a technique known as "hot-deck 

imputation." In hot-decking, when a certain response is missing for a given case, another case (called a "donor") 

is randomly selected to furnish its reported value for that missing item. That value is then assigned to the case with 

the item nonresponse (the nonrespondent, or "receiver"). To serve as a donor, a case must be similar to the 

nonrespondent in characteristics correlated with the missing item.

In some cases, the energy supplier did not provide the consumption or expenditures data for some or all billing 

periods or deliveries in the survey year, as requested in the Supplier Survey. Reasons for missing data have included 

energy supplier refusal; archived, lost, or destroyed billing records; and, waiver refusal on the part of the building 

or household respondent. In other cases, the energy supplier provided data, but either the building data were 

combined with those of nonsampled buildings and could not be disaggregated or the consumption or expenditures 

or both were not completed enough to be treated as missing.

The general approach taken to impute annual consumption and expenditures was to annualize the complete or partial 

sets of bills first and then to use these annualized bills in regression equations to develop imputed values for the data 

that were totally missing. The regression imputation approach was chosen because data from the Building or 

Household Survey were already available for the buildings (households) lacking energy supplier data. The first step 

to correcting this problem was to estimate missing consumption data on the basis of regression equations developed 

using building characteristics in cases where the consumption was already known. After the consumption had been 

imputed, missing expenditures were estimated based on the reported or imputed consumption. For a more in-depth 

discussion of the adjustment process for item nonresponse of consumption and expenditures, see the appendices of 

previous publication of the RECS or CBECS.'9

"See Appendix E, "Related EIA Energy Consumption Publications,"

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 71
Adjustments for Unit Nonresponse

Weight adjustment is the method used to reduce unit nonresponse bias in the CBECS survey statistics. The CBECS 

was designed so that survey responses can be used to estimate characteristics of the entire stock of nonresidential 

buildings in the contiguous United States. The method of estimation is to calculate basic sampling weights that relate 

the sampled buildings to the entire stock of nonresidential buildings. To reduce bias for unit nonresponse in the 

survey statistics, the base weights of respondent buildings are adjusted upward, so that the respondent buildings will 

represent not only unsampled buildings but also nonrespondent buildings. For a more in depth discussion of the 

adjustment process for unit nonresponse, see the appendices of previous publications of the CBECS.20

Similarly, the RECS also uses weight adjustment to reduce unit nonresponse bias. An additional adjustment is 

performed to improve the representation of the population by the RECS sample as a whole (regardless of response 

levels). Ratio estimation is used to adjust selected estimates of household counts to official population values. The 

ratio adjustment is arrived at in several stages and ultimately benchmarks the RECS estimates to the Bureau of the 

Census population estimates at a regional level. For a more in-depth discussion, see the appendices of previous 

publications of the RECS. 21 No similar adjustment is used for CBECS because no independent benchmark totals 

are available for the commercial buildings population.

Relative Standard Errors

For some surveys, a convenient algebraic formula for computing variances can be obtained. However, both the 

CBECS and the RECS use a multistage area sample design of such complexity that it is virtually impossible to 

construct an exact algebraic expression for estimating variances. Due to the complexity of the sample designs, the 

CBECS uses a jackknife replication method for variance estimation and the RECS uses the balanced half-sample 

replication method (also termed BRR). For more details about the jackknife replication method, see Appendix C, 

"Nonsampling and Sampling Errors," of the 1992 CBECS reports. For more details about BRR variance estimation 

method, see Appendix B, "Quality of the Data," of the 1990 RECS reports.

The relative standard error (RSE) is the square root of the mean square error, expressed as a percent of the estimate. 

The RSE was used for any statistical tests or confidence intervals given in the text. Estimates with RSE greater than 

50 percent are withheld from the published tables due to their lack of precision.

Space limitations prevent publishing the complete set of RSE's with this report. Instead, a generalized variance 

technique is provided, by which the reader can compute an approximate RSE for each of the estimates in the tables. 

For an estimate in the i"1 row and j"1 column of a particular table, the approximate RSE is found by multiplying the 

row factor in the rightmost column of row i by the column factor given at the top of column j. See Figure Cl.

20See Appendix E, "Related EIA Energy Consumption Publications." 

! 'See Appendix E, "Related EIA Energy Consumption Publications."

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

72 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Figure C1. Use of RSE Row and Column Factors 

Table C1. Commercial Building Characteristics, 1989

Building 

Characteristics

RSE Column Factors:

All Buildings ...........

Census Region

Northeast ............. 

Midwest ..............

1 South ...............

West ................

1

Total Floorspace 

(million square feet) 1

1.2

63,184

13,569 

15,955

22,039

11,620

Buildings 

(thousand)

11

4,528

783 

1,046

1,847

851

1

Floorspace per Building 

I (square feet)

I 0.8

13,955

17,320 

15,255

1 1 ,932

13,651

RSE 

Row 

Factors

3.4

8.3

rn

7 T /.d

R(South) = 5.9 

C(Buildings) =1.1 

Approximate RSE(South, Buildings)

= (5.9) *(!.!) = 6.49 percent. 

Approximate Standard Error(South, Buildings)

= (0.0649) * (1,847) = 119.9 thousand.

Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Markets and End Use, Energy End Use and Integrated Statistics Division, the 1989 

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey.

For more details about the derivation of the row and column RSE factors, see Appendix C, "Nonsampling and 

Sampling Errors," of the 1992 CBECS reports.

Residential Buildings as Units of Analysis

The RECS is a survey of United States households. All of the estimates presented in the RECS reports are based 

on the housing unit as the primary unit of measurement. Sometimes, as in this report, the population of interest is 

not the housing unit but the building itself. Hence, the problem arises of recasting the estimates to reflect the new 

unit of analysis (i.e., the residential building).

Definitions

To demonstrate the underlying differences between a housing unit and a residential building, consider the following 

definitions.

Housing Unit: A house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room if it is either occupied or 

intended for occupancy as separate living quarters by a family, an individual, or a group of one to nine 

unrelated persons.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 73
Residential Building: A structure used primarily as a dwelling for one or more households that is totally 

enclosed by walls that extend from the foundation to the roof.

By this definition, a single-family attached housing unit (such as a single side of a duplex) would be considered a 

single building. In other words, the number of single-family attached housing units is equivalent to the number of 

single-family attached buildings. This one-to-one correspondence between housing units and residential buildings 

also exists between single-family detached housing units and mobile homes and the buildings which they represent; 

however, it does not exist for multi-unit apartment buildings. These are the RECS units whose data must be recast 

into the building frame of reference. Procedures for adjusting these data are given in the next subsection, "Derivation 

of Weights."

If only one housing unit is represented in a residential building, then the housing unit immediately corresponds to 

the CBECS definition of a building:

Building: A structure totally enclosed by walls that extend from the foundation to the roof and intended 

for human access.

After the multi-unit data are adjusted to the building level, residential and commercial sector data can be compared 

or combined because both are based on the unit definition of building.

Two significant problems arise in deriving residential building estimates from RECS housing unit estimates: the 

number of buildings in the total population are likely to be undercounted and the size of multi-unit buildings is likely 

to be underestimated.

• Buildings are undercounted because RECS interviews are not conducted in vacant housing units. It is likely 

that the amount of underestimation is similar to the rate of housing unit vacancy, which the 1989 American 

Housing Survey estimated at about 9 percent.

• The size of the multi-unit buildings is understated because the floorspace of common areas, such as hallways, 

stairwells, elevators, or lobbies, is not accounted for.

We recognize these problems, but we do not attempt to account for them when deriving building estimates from 

housing unit estimates.

Derivation of Weights

In order to reduce bias in the survey statistics, the sample units are weighted to reflect the selection probability, P|, 

and to adjust for unit nonresponse. The base weight for the i* unit is:

w. = —. 

P.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

74 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
The adjustment for unit nonresponse is designed to spread the effects of nonresponse over the entire responding 

sample. It is equal to:

where S is the entire sample and R is the respondent subset of S. The adjusted housing unit weight is the product 

of the weight and the adjustment:

hUadJ = W, ai'

This process of weight adjustment has been used for all cycles of the RECS.

The calculations for deriving building estimates were performed in the Household Energy Consumption and 

Expenditures, 1990. In multi-unit buildings, the specific number of housing units in the building containing the ith 

sampled housing unit, ui; is needed to convert housing unit data to building data. Viewing 1/U; as a proportion of 

the residential building,

which makes the adjusted building weight equivalent to:

bldadj = Wi ai bi'

In this way, estimates based on housing units can be transformed into building estimates.

Example. Suppose the specific estimate of interest is the count of the number of housing units, HU, or buildings, 

BLD. Then with n equal to the number of sample units, the number of housing units in the population is estimated 

by

HU = £ ( a. w, ) ,

i = 1

and the estimated number of buildings is

BLD = £ ( a. w, b, ).

i = 1

Let sftiUj be the floorspace in square feet for the 1th housing unit in a particular building. Because total building 

floorspace data are not collected, the true proportion of the building floorspace that the i* housing unit occupies is 

unknown. Assuming that the individual unit chosen in the sample is representative of the other units in the same 

building, the floorspace of the building containing the i* unit, sfbldj, is estimated to be the product of the sampled 

unit's floorspace, sfhu;, and the number of units in the i"1 building, u,. In this way, each sampled unit is a 

proportionally smaller representative of a larger separate single building,

sfhu| = sfbldj * bj

so that,

Unless the number of housing units in a building is one, it is expected that changes in count among the categories

will occur because, generally, in multi-unit buildings,

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 75
sfbld = ( sfhui * U; ) .

Category( sftM ) * Category( sfluL ).

However, the sum of the weighted estimates of the amount of floorspace in all sample housing units and the sum 

of all subsequent building floorspace estimates are equivalent. The estimates are equivalent because the proportion 

of floorspace a housing unit occupies in a building is assumed to be the reciprocal of the number of units in the 

building. If the true proportion were known, then the two estimates would not necessarily be equivalent.

The total floorspace in all units is

n

SFHU = £ ( a. w. * sfhu. ) ,

i = 1

and the total floorspace in all residential buildings is

n

SFBLD = £ ( a w. K * sfhu. u. ) .

i - 1

Rearranging and using the definition of b,, this becomes

n 1 

SFBLD = V) ( a. w. * sfhu. * _ u. ). ' ' ' '

That is, the total square feet of occupied floorspace in residential buildings does indeed equal the total square feet 

of floorspace in housing units. Estimates of square feet per unit of analysis, however, will be different between 

housing units and buildings. In general, estimates of totals as well as any ratio of totals to totals (e.g., total 

floorspace, total consumption, consumption per square foot, etc.) will not differ between the units of analysis. 

However, estimates of totals per unit of analysis (e.g., square feet per building/household, consumption per 

building/household, etc.) will necessarily be different because the total number of each unit of analysis is different.

The Choice of an Energy Price Index

In this report, data are presented for consumption and expenditures for both the residential and commercial sectors 

with a common unit of analysis, the building. For consistency, the energy price indices that were developed as part 

of the State Energy Price and Expenditure Report 1992 (SEPER 1992) can be used as the deflators in the energy 

expenditure tables of the report. The following section describes these energy price indices.

Sfafe Energy Price and Expenditure Report 1991 (SEPER 1992): Real Fixed-Weight 

Energy Price Index

In order to compare price data between years, the SEPER uses fixed-weight price indices. The nominal fixed-weight 

energy price index is a measure of the average price of net energy consumption in 1987, the weight-base year. The 

composition of net energy consumption is held constant at 1987 weights for each year. The 1987 weights consist 

of detailed energy source and end-use sector categories for each State and the relative distribution of net energy 

consumption among the various States. The real fixed-weight energy price index is then obtained by dividing the

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

76 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
nominal fixed-weight energy price index by the gross domestic product purchases (GDP) benchmark-years-weighted 

price index (See Appendix D in SEPER 1992).

Using the State Energy Price and Expenditure Data System 1991, fixed-weight energy price indices were developed 

by sector for total energy and for each of the major energy sources. The following are the nominal and real fixedweight energy price indices for the commercial and residential sectors (Tables Cl, C2, and C3). The deflator that 

was used in this report to adjust current dollars to 1987 dollars was the gross domestic purchases (GDP) deflator. 

The nominal fixed-weight energy price index can be used to analyze changes in expenditures with the energy product 

mix benchmarked to 1987.

Table C1. Energy Price Indices, 1979 to 1991 (1987 = 100)

Year

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

Energy Price Indices

Residential

Nominal

62.8

75.2

87.5

97.5

103.4

103.4

105.1

101.6

100.0

100.0

103.7

107.8

109.6

Real

94.2

102.2

109.1

115.0

117.8

113.9

111.9

105.2

100.0

96.2

95.5

94.9

93.0

Commercial

Nominal

67.7

81.3

94.3

103.3

106.9

108.0

108.7

103.6

100.0

98.8

101.6

104.9

106.3

Real

92.6

110.5

117.6

121.8

121.7

119.0

115.8

107.3

100.0

95.1

93.5

92.3

90.2

Gross Domestic Purchases

(Benchmark Years)

66.6

73.6

80.2

84.8

87.8

90.8

93.9

96.6

100.0

103.9

108.6

113.6

117.9

Note: Calculations are based on unrounded numbers. Sources: Nominal Fixed-Weight Energy Price Index-Based on net energy consumption (1987 fixed-quantity weights) and end-use price data from EIA, State Energy Price and Expenditure Data System 1991. Real Fixed-Weight Price Index-Nominal energy fixed-weight price index/Gross Domestic Purchases benchmark-years-weighted price index. 

Gross Domestic Purchases, Price Index, 1987 = 100, Benchmark-Years-, 1980-1991-U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Survey of Current Business, April 1993, Volume 73, No. 4., p. 35, and National Income and Product Accounts of the United States, Volume 2, 1959-88, pp. 266-267.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 77
Table C2. Residential Energy Price Indices for Specific Energy Sources, 1979 to 1990 (1987 = 100)

Year

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

Residential Energy Price Indices

Nominal

Electricity

62.5

72.4

84.0

93.1

96.9

96.5

99.8

99.9

100.0

100.4

102.7

105.3

Natural Gas

55.5

67.8

78.4

94.6

110.2

111.1

111.1

105.4

100.0

98.9

101.8

104.8

Fuel Oil

83.5

116.1

142.9

138.8

134.1

136.4

131.3

105.3

100.0

101.0

111.7

132.5

Real

Electricity

94.0

98.2

104.8

109.8

110.4

106.3

106.2

103.4

100.0

96.6

94.6

92.7

Natural Gas

83.8

92.0

97.7

111.5

125.5

122.4

118.3

109.1

100.0

95.2

93.7

92.2

Fuel Oil

125.4

157.5

178.2

163.7

152.7

150.2

139.8

109.0

100.0

97.2

102.8

116.6

Note: Calculations are based on unrounded numbers.

Sources'. Nominal Fixed-Weight Energy Price Index-Based on net energy consumption (1987 fixed-quantity weights) 

and end-use price data from EIA, State Energy Price and Expenditure Data System 1991. Real Fixed-Weight Price 

Index-Nominal energy fixed-weight price index/Gross Domestic Purchases benchmark-years-weighted price index. 

Gross Domestic Purchases, Price Index, 1987 = 100, Benchmark-Years-Weights, 1980-1990-U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of Economic Analysis, Survey of Current Business, April 1993, Volume 73, No. 4., p. 35, and National Income 

and Product Accounts of the United States, Volume 2, 1959-88, pp. 266-267.

Table C3. Commercial Energy Price Indices for Specific Energy Sources, 1980 to 1991

(1987 = 100)_____________________________________________

Commercial Energy Price Indices

Year

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

Nominal

Electricity Natural Gas Fuel (

Real

DM Electricity Natural Gas

67.2 59.2 100.6 100.9 88.9

78.6 72.7 142.6 106.7 98.6

90.7 85.0 175.7 113.1 105.9

98.8 102.1 169.2 116.5 120.4

101.1 117.8 154.0 115.1 134.2

102.5 117.7 152.8 112.9 129.6

104.5 115.8 142.6 111.3 123.3

103.4 107.0 101.3 107.0 110.8

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

99.5 97.6 95.5 95.8 93.9

101.6 99.3 111.4 93.5 91.5

103.9 101.0 132.9 91.4 86.9

106.7 101.0 121.0 90.5 85.6

Fuel Oil

151.1

193.5

219.9

199.5

175.4

168.3

151.8

104.9

100.0

91.9

102.6

116.3

102.6

Note: Calculations are based on unrounded numbers.

Sources: Nominal Fixed-Weight Energy Price Index-Based on net energy consumption (1987 fixed-quantity weights) 

and end-use price data from EIA, State Energy Price and Expenditure Data System 1991. Real Fixed-Weight Price 

Index-Nominal energy fixed-weight price index/Gross Domestic Purchases benchmark-years-weighted price index. 

Gross Domestic Purchases, Price Index, 1987 = 100, Benchmark-Years-, 1980-1991-U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of Economic Analysis, Survey of Current Business, April 1993, Volume 73, No. 4. p. 35, and National I 

Income and Product Accounts of the United States, Volume 2, 1959-88, pp. 266-267.

78

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
The CBECS Undercoverage Issue

The 1979 CBECS sample design was based on an adaptation of a nonbuilding national survey sample design. By 

means of using this approach, data could be gathered, assimilated, and analyzed much faster. However, EIA did 

recognize that readapting this design was an interim solution. The 1979 CBECS sampling frame is suspected of 

undercovering the building population. Undercoverage could have been the result of exclusion of specific types of 

buildings (e.g., farm buildings, outbuildings, buildings on military bases), mistakes by listers, or the handling of 

buildings under construction at the time of listing. Regardless of the source of coverage problems, evidence suggests 

that an undercounting did occur and introduced nonsampling error into the survey estimates.

The 1983 CBECS sample had two components: (1) a follow-up of all the buildings sampled in 1979 and (2) an 

update sample from the files of F.W. Dodge22 to represent all buildings constructed since 1979. Any deficiencies 

present in the original 1979 sample were also present in the 1983 CBECS estimates for buildings constructed through 

1979. Furthermore, the update frame appeared biased towards large buildings, with severe Undercoverage of smaller 

buildings and possible overcoverage of larger buildings.

For the 1986 sample, CBECS constructed a frame designed specifically for a national survey of commercial 

buildings. An independently drawn sample from the 1986 CBECS frame was used to represent buildings constructed 

through 1986 in the 1989 CBECS. The 1989 CBECS had a two-part update for new construction. The F.W. Dodge 

lists were used to update for large buildings, and roughly half of the area sample segments were relisted to update 

for smaller buildings.

The Undercoverage problem associated with the early CBECS surveys can be readily seen in Table C4, which 

contains estimates of the number of commercial buildings by year of construction for the successive survey years.

Table C4. Number of Commercial Buildings by Year of Construction and Survey Year

Year of Construction

Number of Buildings 

(thousand)

1979 CBECS 1983 CBECS 1986 CBECS CBECS 1989

Total 3,073 3,185 4,154 4,528

Year of Construction

1 979 or Before ....

1980 to 1983 .....

1984 to 1986 .....

1987 to 1989 .....

3,073

N/A

N/A

N/A

3,055

131

N/A

N/A

3,495

350

309

N/A

3,667

317

329

215

N/A Not applicable.

Sources: Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Surveys (CBECS).

The 1979 and 1983 CBECS estimates of the number of buildings constructed before 1980 are very close. This is 

expected since both estimates are based on the same sample of buildings. Estimates from the 1986 and 1989 CBECS 

differ more because each was based on independent samples drawn from the same sampling frame. The most 

notable difference among the estimates is the large increase in the number of buildings built between the 1979/1983 

CBECS and the 1986/1989 CBECS. It is believed that this increase reflects the improved sampling frame introduced 

in 1986. Because the later CBECS estimates more accurately reflect the commercial building stock, this report uses 

the 1989 CBECS estimates of the building stock constructed in 1979 or before as the lower bound for the true value.

22F.W. Dodge, National Information Services Division, McGraw-Hill Information Systems Company, New York, NY. Figures reported 

currently in Dodge Construction Potentials.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 79
It is a lower bound because some buildings, which existed in 1979 were demolished, or because of some type of 

physical conversion, no longer fit into the definition of a commercial building during the 1980's.

The adjustment was carried out as follows. For building counts and floorspace estimates, the 1989 estimates of pre1980 construction were substituted for the 1979 estimates, both across the population and for individual subgroups 

(e.g., regions, size categories, and building types). Consumption estimates for the various fuels in 1979 were created 

by multiplying the 1989 values of floorspace by the consumption per square foot intensities based on 1979 data. 

Expenditures for 1979 were computed by multiplying these consumption values by 1979 energy prices adjusted to 

1987 dollars.

Primary Electricity Consumption

Electricity consumption can be expressed in terms of either physical units (e.g., kilowatthours), or 

thermal units (most commonly British thermal units (Btu)). Conversion of electricity use from 

kilowatthours to Btu can be given in terms of either site electricity or primary electricity. Site 

electricity is the amount of electricity delivered to the building, while primary electricity is site 

electricity plus the amount of energy lost during the generation, transmission, and distribution of the 

electricity. Conversion of site electricity from kilowatthours to Btu is at the universal value of 3,412 

Btu per kilowatthour. Because of energy losses, primary electricity is about three times that of site 

electricity. The exact conversion value varies by year (e.g., 10,388 Btu per kilowatthour in 1980 and 

10,335 Btu per kilowatthour in 1990). Conversion values for all survey years are given in the 

Glossary under Btu Conversion Factors.

80

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Appendix D

U.S. Census Regions and Divisions

WEST

Pacific Mountain

MIDWEST

West 

North Central

East 

North Central

NORTHEAST

Middle 

Atlantic

West 

South Central

New 

England

SOUTH

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 81

Appendix E

Related EIA Energy Consumption Publications

For information about how to obtain these publications, see the inside cover of this report. Please note that the prices 

quoted here are subject to change.

In addition to the reports listed below, public use data tapes and data diskettes for the residential, residential transpor 

tation, and commercial sectors are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). To obtain 

information on how to order the tapes/diskettes, you may call NTIS at 703-487-4807, FAX number 703-321-8547. 

Data diskettes can also be obtained from the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI). For OSTI 

ordering information, call 615-576-8401.

Commercial Sector

Note: The name of the Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey was changed to the Commercial 

Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, beginning with the 1989 survey. The survey name was also dropped from 

the report title at that time and subsequently.

Characteristics of Buildings

Commercial Buildings Characteristics 1992; April 1994, DOE/EIA-0246(92), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00850-0, 

$28.00.

"Commercial Buildings Characteristics 1992," Monthly Energy Review, January 1994, DOE/EIA-0035(94/01).

Commercial Buildings Characteristics 1989; June 1991, DOE/EIA-0246(89), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00699-0, 

$18.00.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Characteristics of Commercial Buildings, 1986; September 

1988, DOE/EIA-0246(86), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00580-2, $16.00.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Characteristics of Commercial Buildings, 1983; A 

Supplemental Reference, DOE/EIA-M008, $22.95. Available from the NTIS, Order No. DE-85015581.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Characteristics of Commercial Buildings, 1983; July 1985, 

DOE/EIA-0246(83), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00439-3, $7.50.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Fuel Characteristics and Conservation Practices; June 1981, 

DOE/EIA-0278, GPO Stock No. 061-00300200-5, $9.00.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Building Characteristics; March 1981, DOE/EIA-0246, GPO 

Stock No. 061-003-00171-8, $6.50.

Consumption and Expenditures

Commercial Buildings Consumption and Expenditures 1989; April 1992, DOE/EIA-0318(89), GPO Stock No. 061- 

003-00753-8, $25.00.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 83
Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Commercial Buildings Consumption and Expenditures 1986; 

May 1989, DOE/EIA-0318(86), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00613-2, $19.00.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Commercial Buildings, Consumption and Expenditures 1983; 

September 1986, DOE/EIA-0318(83), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00496-2, $13.00.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: 1979 Consumption and Expenditures, Part 1: Natural Gas 

and Electricity; March 1983, DOE/EIA-0318/1, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00298-6, $9.50.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: 1979 Consumption and Expenditures, Pan 2: Steam, Coal, 

Fuel Oil, LPG, and Total Fuels; December 1983, DOE/EIA-0318(79)/2, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00366-4, $6.00.

Other Publications on the Commercial Sector

Energy Consumption Series— Energy End-Use Intensities in Commercial Buildings, September 1994, DOE/EIA0555(94)/2, GPO Stock No. 061-003-0087-9, 9.00.

"Assessment of Energy Use in Multibuilding Facilities," Monthly Energy Review, December 1993, DOE/EIA0035(93/12).

Energy Consumption Series—Assessment of Energy Use in Multibuilding Facilities, August 1993, DOE/EIA0555(93)71, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00817-8, $7.50.

Energy Consumption Series—User-Needs Study for the 1992 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, 

September 1992, DOE/EIA-0555(92)/4, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00770-8, $8.50.

Energy Consumption Series-Lighting in Commercial Buildings; March 1992, DOE/EIA-0555(92)/1, GPO Stock No. 

061-003-00749-0, $6.50.

Residential Sector 

Housing Characteristics

Note: The survey name was dropped from the beginning of the report title starting with the 1987 data reports. 

Housing Characteristics 1990; May 1992, DOE/EIA-0314(90), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00754-6, $23.00. 

Housing Characteristics 1987; May 1989, DOE/EIA-0314(87), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00619-1, $13.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Housing Characteristics 1984; October 1986, DOE/EIA-0314(84), GPO 

Stock No. 061-003-00499-7, $12.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Housing Characteristics, 1982; August 1984, DOE/EIA-0314(82), GPO 

Stock No. 061-003-00393-1, $7.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey Housing Characteristics, 1981; August 1983, DOE/EIA-0314(81), GPO 

Stock No. 061-003-00330-3, $6.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Housing Characteristics, 1980; June 1982, DOE/EIA-0314, GPO Stock 

No. 061-003-00256-1, $11.00.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

84 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Characteristics of the Housing Stock and Households, 1978; February 1980, 

DOE/EIA-0207/2, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00093-2, $4.25.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Conservation; February 1980, DOE/EIA-0207/3, GPO Stock No. 061 — 

003-00087-8, $6.00.

Preliminary Conservation Tables from the National Interim Energy Consumption Survey; August 1979, 

DOE/EIA-0193/P (no GPO Stock No.).

Characteristics of the Housing Stock and Households: Preliminary Findings from the National Interim Energy 

Consumption Survey; October 1979, DOE/EIA-0199/P (no GPO Stock No. available).

Consumption and Expenditures

Note: The survey name was dropped from the beginning of the report title starting with the 1987 data reports. The 

titles were changed to Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1987, Part 1: National and Part 2: 

Regional.

"Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1990," Monthly Energy Review, August 1993, DOE/EIA0035(93/08).

Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1990; February 1993, DOE/EIA-0321/1(90), GPO Stock No. 061- 

003-00795-3, $22.00.

Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 799(AS; DOE/EIA-0321/2(90), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00796-1, 

$21.00.

Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1987, Part 1: National Data; October 1989, DOE/EIA-0321/1(87), 

GPO Stock No. 061-003-00635-3, $15.00. Note: Energy end-use data are included in this report.

Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1987, Part 2: Regional Data; DOE/EIA-0321/2(87) (no GPO 

Stock No. available), $16.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1984 Through March 1985, Part 

1: National Data; March 1987, DOE/EIA-0321/1(84), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00519-5, $9.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1984 Through March 1985, Part 2: 

Regional Data; May 1987, DOE/EIA-0321/2(84), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00528-4, $17.00. Note: Energy end-use 

data are included in this report.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1982 Through March 1983, Part 1: 

National Data; November 1984, DOE/EIA-0321/1(82), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00411-3, $7.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1982 Through March 1983, Part 2: 

Regional Data; December 1984, DOE/EIA-0321/2(82), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00414-8, $9.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1981 Through March 1982, Part 1: 

National Data; September 1983, DOE/EIA-0321/1(81), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00340-1, $6.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1981 Through March 1982, Part 2: 

Regional Data; October 1983, DOE/EIA-0321/2(81), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00357-5, $8.00.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 85
Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1980 Through March

1981, Part 1: National Data; September 1982, DOE/EIA-0321/1(80), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00278-1, $7.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1980 Through March 1981, Part 

2: Regional Data; June 1983, DOE/EIA-0321/2(80), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00319-2, $7.00.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: 1979-1980 Consumption and Expenditures, Part 1: National Data 

(Including Conservation); April 1981, DOE/EIA-0262/1, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00191-2, $6.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: 1979-1980 Consumption and Expenditures, Part II: Regional Data; May 

1981, DOE/EIA-0262/2, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00189-1, $8.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, April 1978 Through March 1979; July 

1980, DOE/EIA-0207/5, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00131-9, $7.50.

Single-Family Households: Fuel Oil Inventories and Expenditures: National Interim Energy Consumption Survey; 

December 1979, DOE/EIA-0207/1, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00075-4, $3.50.

Other Publications on the Residential Sector

Energy Consumption Series-Sample Design for the Residential Energy Consumption Survey, August 1994, 

DOE/EIA-0555(94)/1, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00865-8, $6.50.

Energy Consumption Series- User-Needs Study of the 1993 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, September 1993, 

DOE/EIA-0555(93)/2, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00819-4, $13.00.

"End-Use Consumption of Residential Energy" Monthly Energy Review (Article), pp. vii-xiv, July 1987, 

DOE/EJA-0035(87/07).

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Trends in Consumption and Expenditures 1978-1984 June 1987, 

DOE/EIA-0482, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00535-7, $12.00.

Residential Conservation Measures; July 1986, SR/EEUD/86/01 (no GPO Stock No.).

An Economic Evaluation of Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Tax Credits; October 1985, Service Report 

(no GPO Stock No.).

Residential Energy Consumption and Expenditures by End Use for 1978, 1980, and 1981; December 1984, 

DOE/EIA-0458, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00415-6, $4.50.

Weatherization Program Evaluation, SR-EEUD- 84-1; August 1984 (available from the Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Conservation and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy).

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Regression Analysis of Energy Consumption by End Use; October 1983, 

DOE/EIA-0431, GPO Stock No. 061-00300-347-8, $5.00.

National Interim Energy Consumption Survey: Exploring the Variability In Energy Consumption; July 1981, 

DOE/EIA-0272, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00205-6, $5.00.

National Interim Energy Consumption Survey: Exploring the Variability in Energy Consumption-A Supplement; 

October 1981, DOE/EIA-0272/S, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00217-0, $4.50.

Energy Use by U.S. Households; November 1980, DOE/EIA-0248 (brochure, no GPO Stock No.).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

86 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Residential Transportation 

Sector

Note: The survey name was dropped from the beginning of the report title starting with the 1988 data report, and 

the report title was changed to Household Vehicles Energy Consumption 1988.

Household Vehicles Energy Consumption 1991; December 1993, DOE/EIA-0464(91), GPO Stock No. 061-003- 

00652-3, $14.00.

"Energy Preview: Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey Preliminary Estimates, 1991," Monthly 

Energy Review, January 1993, DOE/EIA-0035(93/01).

Household Vehicles Energy Consumption 1988; February 1990, DOE/EIA-0464(88), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00652- 

3, $11.00.

Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption Patterns of Household Vehicles 1985; April 

1987, DOE/EIA-0464(85), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00521-7, $8.50.

Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption Patterns of Household Vehicles, 1983; January 

1985, DOE/EIA-0464(83), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00420-2, $4.50.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption Patterns of Household Vehicles, Supplement: 

January 1981 to September 1981; February 1983, DOE/EIA-0328, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00297-8, $4.75.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption Patterns of Household Vehicles, June 1979 to December 1980; 

April 1982, DOE/EIA-0319 (no GPO Stock No.).

Industrial Sector

Manufacturing Consumption of Energy 1991, December 1994, DOE/EIA-0512(91), GPO Stock No. 061-003-008709, 

$34.00.

"Energy Preview: Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey Preliminary Estimates, 1991," Monthly Energy Review, 

September 1993, DOE/EIA-0035(93/01).

"Energy Efficiency in the Manufacturing Sector," Monthly Energy Review (Article), p.l, December 1992.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Changes in Energy Intensity in the Manufacturing Sector 1980-1988, 

December 1991, DOE/EIA-0552(80-88). GPO Stock No. 061-003-00734-1, $4.75.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Manufacturing Fuel-Switching Capability 1988; September 1991, 

DOE/EIA-0515(88), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00720-1, $9.00.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption of Energy, 1988; May 1991, DOE/EIA- 0512(88), GPO 

Stock No. 061-003-00703-8, $11.00.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing, 1985; January 1990, DOE/EIA0516(85), GPO Stock No. 061-003-00650-7, $4.25.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Fuel-Switching Capability, 1985; December 1988, DOE/EIA-0515(85), 

GPO Stock No. 061-003-00601-9, $3.50.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy In the 1980's 87
Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Methodological Report, 1985; November 1988, DOE/EIA0514(85), GPO 

Stock No. 061-003-00595-1, $6.00.

Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption of Energy, 1985; November 1988, DOE/EIA-0512(85), 

GPO Stock No. 061-003-00594-2, $6.00.

"Manufacturing Sector Energy Consumption 1985 Provisional Estimates," Monthly Energy Review (Article), pp. vii-x, 

January 1987, DOE/EIA-0035(87/01).

Report on the 1980 Manufacturing Industries' Energy Consumption Study and Survey of Large Combustors; February 

1983, DOE/EIA-0358, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00293-5, $5.00.

Industrial Energy Consumption, Survey of Large Combustors: Report on Alternate Fuel-Burning Capabilities of 

Large Boilers in 1979; February 1982, DOE/EIA-0304, GPO Stock No. 061-003-0233-1, $2.50.

Methodological Report of the 1980 Manufacturing Industries Survey of Large Combustors (EIA-463); March 1982, 

DOE/EIA-0306 (no GPO Stock No.).

Other Publications on the Industry Sector

Energy Consumption Series-Derived Annual Estimates of Manufacturing Energy Consumption 1974-1988, August 

1992, DOE/EIA-0555(92)/3, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00766-0, $7.00.

Energy Consumption Series-Development of the 1991 Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey, May 1992, 

DOE/EIA-0555(92)/2, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00757-1, $5.50.

Cross-Sector

Energy Consumption by End-Use Sector: A Comparison of Measures by Consumption and Supply Surveys; April 6, 

1990, DOE/EIA-0533 (no GPO Stock No. available), $2.50.

Natural Gas: Use and Expenditures; April 1983, DOE/EIA-0382, GPO Stock No. 061-003-00307-9, $5.50.

Public Use Tapes

Note: All tapes are available through the NTIS.

Residential and Residential Transportation Sectors

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: 1987 and Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey, 1988, 

Order No. PB90-501461, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: 1984 and Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey, 1985; 

Order No. PB87-186540, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: 1982 and Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey, 1983; 

Order No. PB85-221760, $220.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

88 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Consumption and Expenditures, 1980-1981; Monthly Billing Data; Order 

No. PB84-166230, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Housing Characteristics, 1981; Consumption and Expenditures, 1981-1982; 

Monthly Billing Data; Order No. PB84-120476, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Housing Characteristics, Annualized Consumption and Expenditures, 1980- 

1981 ; Order No. PB83-199554, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Household Transportation Panel Monthly Gas Purchases and Vehicle and 

Household Characteristics, 6/79-9/81; Order No. PB84-162452, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Household Screener Survey, 1979-1980; Order No. PB82-114877, $220.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Household Monthly Energy Consumption and Expenditures, 1978-1979; 

Order No. PB82-114901, $220.

National Interim Energy Consumption Survey (Residential), 1978; Order No. PB81-108714, $220.

Commercial Sector

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: 1986 Data; Order No. PB90-500034, $220. 

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: 1979 and 1983 Data; Order No. PB88-245162, $220.

Public Use Diskettes

Note: Diskettes are available through the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI).

Residential Energy Consumption Survey 1990 Data, OSTI - ASCII (3 diskettes) or dBASE (2 diskettes) format, order 

by title, $10 per diskette. NTIS - ASCII format: Order No. PB-93-506103 and dBASE format: Order No. PB-93- 

506095.

Residential Energy Consumption Survey 1987 Data, OSTI - ASCII or dBASE format, order by title, $45 for each 

set. NTIS - ASCII format: Order No. PB-91-505115, $130, and DBASE format: Order No. PB-91-505107, $130.

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey 1992 Data, OSTI - ASCII or dBASE format, order by title, $10 

per diskette, $40 set of four. NTIS - ASCII or dBASE format, order by title, call for prices.

Commercial Buildings Characteristics 1992 Data, OSTI - ASCII or dBASE format, order by title, $10 per diskette, 

$40 set of four. NTIS - ASCII or dBASE format: Order No. PB-94-504305, call for prices.

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey 1989 Data, OSTI - ASCII format, order by title, $10 per diskette, 

$40 set of four. NTIS - ASCII or dBASE format: Order No. PB92-504232, $140.

Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey 1986 Data, NTIS - ASCII format: Order No. PB91-506808, 

$130.

Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey 1991 Data, OSTI - ASCII or dBASE format, order by title, 

call for prices. NTIS - ASCII format: Order No. PB94-500824. dBASE format: Order No. PB94-500816, call for

prices.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 89
Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey 1988 Data, GPO - ASCII or dBASE format, order by title, 

$15 for each set. NTIS - ASCH format: Order No. PB91-507269, dBASE format: Order No. PB91-507277, $50 

each.

Planned Publications

Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 1993, planned for September 1995.

Changes of Energy Intensity in the Manufacturing Sector 1985-1991, planned for July 1995.

EPACT Section 407 Data System: Results from Atlanta Clean City Fleet Vehicle Survey, planned for October 1995.

EPACT Section 407 Data Program: The Vehicle Stock and New Survey Findings, planned for December 1995.

Service Report: Federal Buildings Supplemental Survey Results, planned for October 1995.

Measuring Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy (Energy Consumption Series), planned for late 1995.

Note: The Energy Information Administration also publishes annually the State Energy Data Report, Consumption 

Estimates, DOE/EIA-0214, and the State Energy Price and Expenditures Report, DOE/EIA-0376; and the Monthly 

Energy Review, DOE/EIA-0035. These reports contain annual and monthly consumption information derived from 

EIA supply surveys.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

90 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Glossary

Air Conditioning: See Energy End Use, Cooling.

Authorization Form: A form signed by the respondent authorizing energy supplier companies that serve the 

building to release information on the amounts and costs of energy consumed in the building during a specified 

period. (See Energy Supplier.)

British Thermal Unit: A unit of energy consumed by or delivered to a building. A Btu is defined as the amount 

of energy required to increase the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, at normal atmospheric 

pressure. Energy consumption is expressed in Btu in this report to allow for consumption comparisons among fuels 

that are measured in different units. (See Metric Conversion Factors.)

Btu: See British Thermal Unit.

Btu Conversion Factors: The Btu conversion factors for this report are as follows:

Energy Source Btu Equivalent Unit

Electricity

Natural Gas

Distillate Fuel Oils (Nos. 1,2, and 4)

Residual Fuel Oils (Nos. 5 and 6)

Kerosene

District Heat (Steam and Hot Water)

Varies3

Varies6

138,690

149,690

135,000

1,000

kilowatthour

cubic foot

gallon

gallon

gallon

pound

"The Btu equivalent of primary electricity varies by survey year: in 1979, 10,353; in 1980, 10,388; in 1981, 10,453; in 1982, 10,454; in 1983, 

10,520; in 1984, 10,440; in 1986, 10,446; in 1987, 10,419; in 1989, 10,317; and, in 1990, 10,335.

"The Btu equivalent of natural gas varies by survey year: in 1979, 1,019; in 1980, 1,021; in 1981, 1,027; in 1982, 1,027; in 1983, 1,031; in 

1984, 1,031; in 1986, 1,029; in 1987, 1,031; in 1989, 1,030; and, in 1990, 1,027.

Sources: Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review (April 1995), DOE/EIA-0035(95/04) for electricity, natural gas, distillate 

fuel oils, residual fuel oils, and kerosene; and Methodological Issues in the Nonresidential Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (September 

1983) for district steam.

Building: For this report, a structure totally enclosed by walls extending from the foundation to the roof. Structures 

that were included in the survey as specific exceptions were commercial parking garages not totally enclosed by walls 

and a roof and structures erected on pillars which elevate the first fully enclosed level, but leave the sides at ground 

level open. (See Commercial Building, Residential Building, and Housing Unit.)

Building Floorspace: See Floorspace. 

CDD: See Cooling Degree-Days (CDD).

Census Division: A geographic area consisting of several States defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census. (See the Census Regions and Divisions map in Appendix D.)

Region Division States

Northeast New England Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,

New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island

Middle Atlantic New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's g-j
Midwest East North Central Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,

Ohio, and Wisconsin

West North Central Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,

Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota

South South Atlantic Delaware, the District of Columbia,

Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North 

Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, 

and West Virginia

East South Central Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, 

and Tennessee

West South Central Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, 

and Texas

West Mountain Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,

Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming

Pacific Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, 

and Washington

Census Region: See Census Division and the Census Regions and Divisions map in Appendix D of this report.

Coal: See Energy Source, Coal.

Commercial: Neither residential, manufacturing, nor agricultural. (See Commercial Building.)

Commercial Building: A building used primarily for commercial activities. Commercial buildings include, but are 

not limited to, stores, offices, schools, churches, gymnasiums, libraries, museums, hospitals, clinics, warehouses, and 

jails. Government buildings were included except for buildings on sites with restricted access, such as some military 

bases or reservations. Farms and buildings located on farms (such as silos, grain elevators, and barns) were 

excluded. (See Building, Commercial, and Principal Building Activity.)

Commercial Floorspace: All the area enclosed by the exterior walls of a commercial building, including hallways, 

lobbies, stairways, and elevator shafts. (See Residential Floorspace.)

Consumption: The amount of energy used by, or delivered to, a building during a given period of time. Statistics 

for this report are presented on an annual basis for the calendar year. Data on energy consumption were not 

collected by end uses separately. For example, although it might be known that electricity was used in some 

buildings for heating, the consumption of electricity reported for those buildings would typically include other uses 

of electricity as well (such as lighting and water heating).

For this report, all consumption statistics, unless otherwise noted, consist of primary electricity, and site energy for 

all other energy sources. (See Btu, Energy Supplier, Primary Electricity, and Site Energy.)

Conversion Factors: See Btu Conversion Factors and Metric Conversion Factors. 

Cooking: See Energy End Use, Cooking. 

Cooling: See Energy End Use, Cooling.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

92 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Cooling Degree-Days (CDD): A measure of how hot a location was over a period of time, relative to a base 

temperature. In this report, the base temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 18 degrees Celsius), and 

the period of time is 1 year. The cooling degree-days for a single day is the difference between that day's average 

temperature and the base temperature if the daily average is greater than the base and zero if the daily average 

temperature is less than or equal to the base temperature. The cooling degree-days for a longer period of time is 

the sum of the daily cooling degree-days for the days in that period. One cooling degree-day Fahrenheit equals fiveninths of a degree-day Celsius. (See Heating Degree-Days (HDD))

Cubic Foot: As a natural gas measure, the volume of gas at standard temperature and pressure (60 degrees 

Fahrenheit and 14.73 pounds standard per square inch) contained in a cube which has edges equal to 1 foot. The 

thermal content varies by the composition of the gas. (See Energy Source, Natural Gas and Btu.)

District Chilled Water: See Energy Source, District Chilled Water. 

District Heat: See Energy Source, District Heat. 

District Hot Water: See Energy Source, District Heat. 

District Steam: See Energy Source, District Heat. 

Electricity: See Energy Source, Electricity.

Energy End Use: A use for which energy is consumed in a building. Each end use for which estimates were 

provided in this report are given below. The general meaning of each end use, as defined by the CBECS and RECS 

are also provided.

RECS Energy End Use CBECS

Use of mechanical equipment (includes wood stoves and Space Heating 

active solar heating devices) to heat all or part of a 

building to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Energy used to heat water for hot running water and to Water Heating 

heat water on a stove and auxiliary water heating 

equipment for bathing, cleaning, and other noncooking 

applications.

See Air Conditioning and Appliances. Cooling

Use of mechanical equipment (includes wood stoves and 

active solar heating devices) to heat all or part of a building 

to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use of energy to heat water for purposes other than space 

heating.

Conditioning of room air for human comfort by a 

refrigeration unit or evaporative cooler or by circulating 

chilled water through a central cooling or district cooling 

system. Use of fans or blowers by themselves, without 

chilled air or water, is not included.

Cooling and dehumidification of air in a building by a 

refrigeration unit driven by electricity or gas. 

This includes units that are unused and those that are not 

in working condition and excludes fans, blowers, and 

evaporative cooling systems that are not connected to a 

refrigeration unit.

Energy for all uses except those covered by space Appliances 

heating, water heating, and air conditioning. These 

include: lighting, television, personal computers, washing 

machines, refrigeration, and most small appliances. 

Special energy uses for appliances are energy used to 

heat: food, water for cooking, water for hot drinks, air to 

dry clothes, water in a water bed, and water for a 

swimming pool. Also included is energy to operate fans 

for a central forced-air space-heating system or airconditioning system and energy for an evaporative cooling 

system.

Air Conditioning Included in Cooling.

Not applicable.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 93
RECS Energy End Use CBECS

Included in Appliances.

Included in Appliances. 

Included in Appliances. 

Included in Appliances. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable.

Included in Appliance.

Ventilation The circulation of air through a building to provide fresh air 

to the occupants and to deliver heating and cooling to the 

occupied spaces.

Lighting The illumination of the interior of a building by use of 

artificial sources of light.

Cooking Use of energy for commercial or institutional food 

preparation.

Refrigeration Use of energy to maintain perishable goods at a cool 

temperature for storage or sale.

Manufacturing Any energy-using operations required for 

manufacturing/industrial processes.

Office A class of energy-using equipment including typewriters, 

Equipment copiers, cash registers, computer terminals, personal 

computers, printers, mainframe computer systems, and 

other miscellaneous office equipment.

Other Use of energy for all end uses not specifically mentioned.

In the 1990 RECS, energy used for refrigeration was not included in the appliance end use category; instead, refrigeration was considered a separate 

end use. For consistency among survey years, the 1990 appliance end use category includes energy used for refrigeration.

Energy Intensity: The ratio of energy consumption to some measure of demand for services provided by energy. 

In this report, energy intensity is given on an aggregate basis, as the ratio of total consumption of an energy source 

for a set of buildings to the total floorspace served by that energy source in those buildings. (See Consumption.)

Energy Source: A type of energy or fuel consumed in the building. For this report, the energy sources identified 

are:

RECS Energy Source CBECS

Metered electric power supplied by a central utility Electricity

company to a residence via power lines. Electricity is

measured as the amount of power used at any instant

(demand expressed in watts or kilowatts) or as power

used over a given time (consumption expressed In

kilowatthours).

Hydrocarbon gas (mostly methane) supplied as an Natural Gas 

energy source to individual buildings by pipelines from 

a central utility company. Natural gas does not refer to 

liquified petroleum gas or to privately owned gas wells 

operated by a building owner.

A liquid petroleum product less volatile than gasoline. It Fuel Oil 

includes distillate fuel oil (No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4).

A petroleum distillate with properties similar to those of Kerosene 

No. 1 fuel oil, used primarily in space heaters, cooking 

stoves, and water heaters.

Any fuel gas supplied to a residence in liquid form, Liquefied 

such as propane or butane. It is usually delivered by Petroleum Gas 

tank truck and stored near the residence in a tank or (LPG) 

cylinder until used.

Included in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Propane

Electric energy supplied to a building by a central utility via 

power lines or from a central physical plant in a separate 

building that is part of the same multibuilding facility. Electric 

power generated within a building for exclusive use in that 

building is specifically excluded from the definition of electricity 

as an energy source.

Hydrocarbon gas (mostly methane) supplied as an energy 

source to individual buildings by pipelines from a central utility 

company. Natural gas does not refer to liquified petroleum gas 

or to privately owned gas wells operated by a building owner.

A liquid petroleum product less volatile than gasoline. It 

includes distillate fuel oil (No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4), residual fuel 

oil (No. 5 and No.6), and kerosene.

Included in Fuel Oil.

Included in Propane.

A gaseous petroleum product that liquefies under pressure; 

propane is a major component In liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). 

Any LPG reported was assumed to be propane.

94

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
RECS Energy Source CBECS

Not applicable. District Heat Steam or hot water from an outside source used for any end

use in a building. The steam or hot water is produced in a 

central plant and piped into the building. The district heat may 

be purchased from a utility or provided by a central physical 

plant in a separate building this is part of the same multibuilding 

facility. District steam and district hot water are reported 

together in this report.

Not applicable. District Chilled Chilled water from an outside source used as an energy source

Water for cooling. The water is chilled in a central plant and piped into 

the building. Chilled water may be purchased from a utility or 

provided by a central physical plant in a separate building that is 

part of the same multibuilding facility.

Wood, solar, and coal.______________________Other*____Wood________________________________ 

*The other energy source category is included in the All Energy Source categories in tables found in Appendix A, "Detailed Tables."

Energy Supplier: A company that provides electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or other sources of energy to a building. 

(See Energy Source.)

Expenditures: Funds spent for the energy consumed in, or delivered to, a building during a given period of time. 

For this report, all expenditure statistics are presented on an annual basis, for the calendar year. The total dollar 

amount includes State and local taxes, fuel adjustment charges, system charges, and demand charges. The total dollar 

amount excludes merchandise, repair charges, and service charges. Expenditure statistics are given in both nominal 

and real (the base weight year is 1987) dollars. (See Consumption, Energy Supplier, Nominal and Real (1987).)

Floorspace: See Commercial Floorspace and Residential Floorspace.

Fuel: See Energy Source.

Fuel Oil: See Energy Source, Fuel Oil.

Gallon: A volumetric measure equal to 4 quarts (231 cubic inches) used to measure fuel oil. Forty-two gallons 

equal one barrel.

GDP: See Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total market value of all the goods and services produced by a nation during 

a specified period.

HDD: See Heating Degree-Days (HDD). 

Heating: See Energy End Use, Heating.

Heating Degree-Days (HDD): A measure of how cold a location was over a period of time, relative to a base 

temperature. In this report, the base temperature used is 65 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 18 degrees Celsius), 

and the period of time is 1 year. The heating degree-days for a single day are the difference between the base 

temperature and the day's average temperature if the daily average is less than the base, and zero if the daily average 

temperature is greater than or equal to the base temperature. The heating degree-days for a longer period of time 

are the sum of the daily heating degree-days for days in that period. One degree-day Fahrenheit equals five-ninths 

of a degree-day Celsius. (See Cooling Degree-Days (CDD).)

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 95
Household: A family, an individual, or a group of up to nine unrelated persons occupying the same housing unit. 

"Occupy" means the housing unit was the person's usual or permanent place of residence at the time of the first field 

contact. Household members include babies, lodgers, boarders, employed persons who live in the housing unit, and 

persons who usually live in the household but are away traveling or in a hospital. The household does not include: 

(1) persons who are normally members of the household but were away from home as college students or members 

of the armed forces at the time of the contact; (2) persons temporarily visiting with the household if they have a 

place of residence elsewhere; (3) persons who eat meals with the household but usually lodge or sleep elsewhere;

(4) domestic employees or other persons employed by the household who do not sleep in the same housing unit; and

(5) persons who are former members of the household, but have since become inmates of correction or penal 

institutions, mental homes, convents or monasteries, or other places in which residents may remain for long periods 

of time. By definition, in the RECS, the number of households is the same as the number of occupied housing units. 

(See Housing Unit and Residential Building.)

Housing Unit: A house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room if it is either occupied, or intended for 

occupancy, as separate living quarters by a family, an individual, or a group of one to nine unrelated persons. 

Separate living quarters means the occupant(s) (1) live and eat separately from other persons in the same house or 

apartment and (2) have direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall (i.e., one can get 

to it without going through someone else's living quarters). Hotel and motel rooms are considered housing units 

if occupied as the usual or permanent place or residence. Housing units do not include group quarters, such as 

prisons or nursing homes where ten or more unrelated persons live. (See Household and Residential Building.)

Kerosene: See Energy Source, Kerosene.

Kilowatthour (Kwh): A unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 

hour. (See Btu, Consumption, and Energy Source, Electricity.)

Lighting: See Energy End Use, Lighting.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): See Energy Source, Propane. 

LPG: See Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). 

Manufacturing: See Energy End Use, Manufacturing.

Metric Conversion Factors: In this report, estimates are presented in customary U.S. units. Floorspace estimates 

may be converted to metric units by using this relationship: 1 square foot is approximately equal to .0929 square 

meters. Energy estimates may be converted to metric units by using this relationship: 1 Btu is approximately equal 

to 1,055 joules. (See Btu.)

Multistage Area Probability Sample: A sample design executed in stages with geographic "clusters" of sampling 

units selected at each stage. This procedure reduces survey expense while maintaining national coverage.

Natural Gas: See Energy Source, Natural Gas.

Nominal: Energy expenditures that include the effects of changes in the purchasing power of the dollar due to 

inflation. (See Expenditures and Real (1987).)

Office Equipment: See Energy End Use, Office Equipment. 

Other End Uses: See Energy End Use, Other.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

96 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Pounds (District Heat): A weight quantity of steam; also used in this report to denote a quantity of energy in the 

form of steam. The amount of usable energy obtained from a pound of steam depends on its temperature and 

pressure at the point of consumption and on the drop in pressure after consumption. (See Btu, District Steam, and 

District Heat.)

Primary Electricity: The amount of electricity delivered to buildings adjusted to account for the energy used to 

produce the electricity. That is, primary electricity is site electricity plus the amount of energy lost during generation, 

transmission, and distribution of electricity. (See Energy Source, Electricity, Consumption, and Site Electricity).

Primary Energy: The energy embodied in energy sources. Primary energy takes into account the amount of energy 

used to produce and deliver energy sources. (See Consumption.)

Primary Sampling Unit (PSU): The sampling units selected at the first stage in a multistage area probability 

sample. A PSU typically consists of one to several contiguous counties—for example, a metropolitan area with 

surrounding suburban counties. (See Multistage Area Probability Sample.)

Principal Building Activity: The activity or function occupying the most floorspace in a commercial building. The 

categories were designed to group buildings that have similar patterns of energy consumption. (See Commercial 

Building, Commercial Floorspace, and Type of Housing Unit.)

The principal building activity categories used in this report are described below.

Assembly: signifies buildings used for the gathering of people for social, recreational, or religious activities, 

whether in private or nonprivate meeting halls.

Education: refers to buildings that house academic or technical classroom instruction.

Food Sales and Service: include the retail or wholesale sale of food, such as grocery stores, and activities 

that involve preparation and sale of food and beverages for consumption, such as restaurants.

Health Care: covers diagnostic and treatment facilities for both inpatient and outpatient care. Excluded 

from this group are skilled nursing or other residential care facilities (nursing homes). These buildings are 

classified as "Lodging" buildings.

Lodging: refers to buildings that offer multiple accommodations for short-term or long-term residents 

(including nursing homes).

Mercantile and Service: refers to buildings containing sales and displays of goods or services (excluding 

food).

Office: refers to buildings used for general office space, professional offices, and administrative offices.

Other: includes parking garages, buildings used in the preservation of law and order or safety, and 

buildings that do not fit into any of the other named categories.

Warehouse: describes buildings used to store goods, manufactured products, merchandise, or raw materials. 

This category includes both refrigerated and nonrefrigerated warehouses.

Vacant: designates buildings in which more floorspace was vacant than was used for any single activity 

(as defined above) at the time of interview. A vacant building may have some occupied floorspace.

Propane: See Energy Sources, Propane. 

PSU: See Primary Sampling Unit (PSU).

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's 97
Quadrillion Btu: Equivalent to 1,000,000,000,000,000 (1015) Btu. (See Btu.)

Real (1987): Energy expenditures in which the rate of inflation has been deducted so that purchasing power remains 

constant, and is expressed in 1987 dollars. (See Expenditures and Nominal)

Refrigeration: See Energy End Use, Refrigeration.

Relative Standard Error: A measure of the reliability or precision of a survey statistic. The Relative Standard 

Error, or RSE, is defined as the standard error of a survey estimate, expressed as a percent of the estimate. For 

example, an RSE of 10 percent means that the standard error is one-tenth as large as the survey estimate. (See 

Standard Error.)

Residential Building: A structure used primarily as a dwelling for one or more households. (See Household and 

Appendix C, "Residential Building as Units of Analysis.")

Residential Floorspace: The floor area of the housing unit that is enclosed from the weather. Residential floorspace 

includes: basements, whether or not they contain finished space; finished and/or heated space in attics; and garages. 

Not included in residential floorspace are: crawl spaces, even if they are enclosed from the weather; sheds and other 

buildings that are not attached to the housing unit; vacant housing units; and common areas, such as hallways, stairs, 

elevators, or lobbies. (See Commercial Floorspace.)

RSE: See Relative Standard Error.

RSE Column Factor: An adjustment factor used to compute RSE's. For a survey estimate in a particular row and 

a column of a table (that is, a particular "cell"), the approximate RSE is obtained by multiplying the RSE row factor 

by the RSE column factor for that cell. (See Relative Standard Error and RSE Row Factor.)

RSE Row Factor: A factor used to compute RSE's. The row factor is equal to the geometric mean of the RSE's 

in a particular row of the main tables. For a survey estimate in a particular row and column of a table (that is, a 

particular "cell"), the approximate RSE is obtained by multiplying the RSE row factor by the RSE column factor 

for that cell. (See Relative Standard Error and RSE Column Factor.)

Sampling: The procedure used to select a group of individual cases for interview from the total population. (See 

Multistage Area Probability Sampling.)

Site Electricity: The amount of electricity delivered to the site (building), without adjustment for the energy 

consumed in generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. (See Consumption.)

Site Energy: The amount of energy delivered to the site (building); no adjustment is made for the energy consumed 

to produce and deliver energy sources. (See Consumption.)

Space Heating: See Energy End Use, Space Heating.

Square Footage: Floorspace, in units of square feet. One square foot is approximately equal to 0.0929 square 

meters. (See Floorspace and Metric Conversion.)

Standard Error: A measure of the precision of an estimate, equal to the square root of the variance. (See 

Variance, and Relative Standard Error (RSE).)

Total Square Footage: Square footage of floorspace summed or aggregated over all buildings in a category. In 

this report, aggregate square footage was estimated by multiplying each building's square footage by its weight, then 

summing over all sample buildings of interest to represent nationwide totals. (See Commercial Floorspace, 

Residential Floorspace, and Weight.)

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

98 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
Trillion Btu: Equivalent to 1,000,000,000,000 (1012) Btu. (See Btu.)

Type of Housing Unit: Categories designed to group housing units that have similar patterns of energy 

consumption.

Single-Family: A housing unit that provides living space for one household or family. The structure may 

be detached or attached to another unit. Attached houses are considered single-family houses as long as 

the house itself is not divided into more than one housing unit and has an independent outside entrance. 

A single-family house is contained within walls that go from the basement (or the ground floor, if there is 

no basement) to the roof. Townhouses, rowhouses, and duplexes are considered single-family attached 

housing units, as long as there is no household living above another one within the walls that go from the 

basement (or ground floor if no basement) to the roof to separate the units. A mobile home with one or 

more rooms added is classified as a single-family home.

Mobile Home: A housing unit built on a movable chassis and moved to the site. It may be placed on a 

permanent or temporary foundation and may contain one or more rooms. If rooms are added to the 

structure, it is considered a single-family housing unit. A manufactured house assembled on site is a singlefamily housing unit, not a mobile home.

Multifamily (two to four units): A housing unit in a building with two to four housing units (i.e., a 

structure that is divided into living quarters for two, three, or four families or households).

Multifamily (five or more units): A housing unit in a building with five or more housing units (i.e., a 

structure that contains living quarters for five or more families or households).

Vacant: As a principal building activity, the designation for a commercial building in which most of the floorspace 

was not occupied by any tenant or establishment. A vacant commercial building may contain occupants who are 

using up to 50 percent of the floorspace. The CBECS also measures vacancy in terms of the fraction of space vacant 

within an individual building and the fraction of time the building was in use. For all commercial buildings, data 

were collected on the percent of floorspace vacant three or more months, and on the number of months the building 

was in use. (See Principal Building Activity and Vacant Housing Unit.)

Vacant Housing Unit: A housing unit not occupied when the first RECS field contact was made. An occupied 

seasonal or migratory housing unit is classified as vacant at the time of the first contact if all of its occupants had 

a usual place of residence elsewhere. (See Household and Vacant.)

Variance: A measure of the variability of a set of observations that are subject to some chance variation, equal to 

the expected squared difference between a single observation and the average of all possible observations obtained 

in the same manner. The variance is the square of the standard error of estimates. For statistics presented in this 

report, the variance indicates the likely difference between the value computed from the CBECS sample and the 

average of the values that could have been computed from all possible samples that might have been obtained by 

the same sample selection process. (See Standard Error.)

Ventilation: See Energy End Use, Ventilation. 

Water Heating: See Energy End Use, Water Heating.

Weight: The number of cases in the total population that a particular sample case represents. To estimate the total 

value of a characteristic in the total population, each case's value is multiplied by the case's weight. Summing the 

weighted sample values provides an estimate of the population total. (See Multistage Area Probability Sample.)

Wood: See Energy Source, Other.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series

Buildings and Energy in the 1980's gg
Year Constructed: The year in which the major part or the largest portion of a commercial building was 

constructed. The year the residential structure was originally completed or the year any part of the structure was 

first occupied. For mobile homes, year of construction is the model year.

Energy Information Administration/Energy Consumption Series 

100 Buildings and Energy in the 1980's
for \Nhe/916-0

to Col/eje.

U.S. SAVINGS BONDS

THE GREAT AMERICAN INVESTMENT

Now tax free for education. It's smarter than ever to start saving today!
CBECS/RECS Data on Diskettes

The public use data for the 1992 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey 

(CBECS) and the 1993 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) are both available 

on diskettes.

•For IBM-PC and compatible microcomputers

•3-1/2 inch double-sided, high-density diskette 

•Flat ASCII format

•Dbase format

•Contains a READ.ME DOS text file 

•Technical document file

For ordering information contact:

Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)

P.O. Box 62

Oak Ridge, TN 37831

(615) 576-8401

National Technical Information Service 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Attention: Order Control 

Springfield, VA 22161 

(703) 487-4650
Energy Information Administration 

U.S. Department of Energy 

Forrestal Building, El-231 

Washington, DC 20585

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

Address Correction Requested

THIRD-CLASS MAIL 

POSTAGE & FEES PAID 

U.S. DEPT OF ENERGY

PERMIT NO. 6548