Historical patterns of residential and commercial energy uses

Abstract

This paper reviews trends in residential energy use and commercial energy use for the 1950–1975 period. Historical data on energy use by type of fuel—electricity, gas, oil, other—are presented for both sectors. These energy use data are compared with data on the determinants of energy use for each sector: population, per capita income, fuel prices, economic output from the service sectors, commercial building floorspace. These historical data show marked differences between the 1950–1972 and 1972–1975 periods. From 1950 to 1972, energy use in both sectors grew steadily and rapidly. Since 1972, however, energy use growth has been almost static and unstable. The data show, in a general way, the influence of changes in fuel prices and economic activity on energy use.