2003 Survey of Household Energy Use (SHEU) – Summary Report

Scope of Survey

The third Survey of Household Energy Use (SHEU-2003) used 2003 as its reference year. The previous SHEUs used 1993 and 1997 as their respective reference years.

SHEU-2003 covers over 11 million households across Canada. The survey is representative of households in all 10 Canadian provinces that resided in single detached houses, double/row houses, duplexes,³ mobile homes and apartments in buildings with fewer than five storeys (low-rise apartments). Households in the territories were excluded in order to remain consistent with previous SHEUs.

The survey data were collected through computer-assisted personal interviews with dwelling owners and renters. Also, landlords of rented dwellings and property managers of condominiums were interviewed in an attempt to obtain the most accurate responses possible. Landlords and property managers were asked questions only about the dwelling's heating and cooling equipment, features and conditions, energy use and energy consumption. Energy consumption data were obtained through either the energy supplier(s) of the household or the household providing the data from 2003 energy bills or statements.

SHEU-2003 found that, in 2003, the regional breakdown of households across Canada was as follows: Ontario, 35 percent; Quebec, 27 percent; the Prairies, 17 percent; British Columbia, 13 percent; and the Atlantic region, 8 percent (see Chart 1).

More detail about the methodology used for SHEU-2003 and a copy of the SHEU-2003 questionnaire can be found in the 2003 Survey of Household Energy Use – Detailed Statistical Report.

³ Duplexes will be included in the double/row houses category for comparison purposes throughout this report.

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