Under the assumptions of the accelerated projection, consumption could increase to 5.5 quads by 2020, roughly 25 percent above the current projection of 4.4 quads. The more aggressive scenario reflects continued success in space and water heating and in food-service establishments as well as significant growth in the markets for commercial cooling and various forms of distributed generation. Natural gas accounts for more than 40 percent of commercial energy consumption . The commercial sector includes office buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, malls and other retail establishments. Energy consumption in the commercial sector totals about 7.7 quads annually, including 3.1 quads of natural gas, slightly less than the commercial consumption of electricity.
Gas is dominant in the space and water heating, cooking and drying segments.
Gas now also accounts for 13 percent of the commercial cooling market. Commercial gas cooling has multiple applications . A number of gas cooling products are making inroads in the marketplace. The three basic types of gas cooling equipment are engine-driven chillers, absorption chillers and desiccant dehumidifiers. Engine-driven chillers use a gas engine rather than an electric motor to drive a compressor.