Feature Report Commercial Sector T he commercial sector is a diverse component of the economy.
Activities range from finance and tourism to education and medical services.
Building types are similarly diverse, from churches and stores to office towers, strip malls and recreation complexes. The commercial sector accounts for approximately 13 percent of secondary energy use in Canada. Space and water heating account for the largest proportions of energy consumption. However, lighting is also a major energy consumer in the commercial sector, and there is a rapidly increasing demand for energy to run office equipment. Market Transformation NRCan's Energy Innovators Initiative encourages owners of existing commercial facilities to register a voluntary commitment to energy efficiency and to implement long-term energy management plans that include comprehensive building retrofits.