Draft2:Residential Energy Consumption Survey
The Residential Energy Consumption Survey is the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)'s comprehensive survey and analysis of residential energy consumption, household characteristics, and appliance saturation. EIA administers the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to a nationally representative sample of housing units.
Traditionally, specially trained interviewers collect energy characteristics on the housing unit, usage patterns, and household demographics. For the 2015 survey cycle, EIA used Web and mail forms, in addition to in-person interviews, to collect detailed information on household energy characteristics. This information is combined with data from energy suppliers to these homes to estimate energy costs and usage for heating, cooling, appliances and other end uses — information critical to meeting future energy demand and improving efficiency and building design.[1]
DOE relevance
The RECS and many of the EIA supplier surveys are integral ingredients for some of EIA's more comprehensive data products and reports, such as the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) and Monthly Energy Review (MER). These products allow for broader comparisons across sectors, as well as projections of future consumption trends.
DOE points of contact
U.S. Energy Information Administration
- 1000 Independence Ave., SW
- Washington, DC 20585
Specific questions on this product may be directed to:
- Chip Berry
- RECS Survey Manager
- James.Berry@eia.gov
- Phone: (202) 586-5543
RECS Survey Data
The RECS Survey Data typically contains four sections: Housing Characteristics, Consumption & expenditures, Microdata, and Methodology.
Housing Characteristics
The latest RECS survey (2015) contained the following housing characteristics tables:
- Fuels used & end uses
- Structural and geographic characteristics
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Lighting
- Space heating
- Air conditioning
- Water heating
- Household demographics
- Square footage (housing unit size)
- Household energy insecurity
Consumption & Expenditures
The latest RECS survey (2015) contained the following six groups represent increasing level of detail:
- Summary statistics: National and regional totals and intensities across all fuels and end uses
- by Fuel: Totals and averages for each major fuel: electricity, natural gas, LPG/propane, fuel oil, and kerosene
- by End uses: Totals and averages for each major end use: space heating, water heating, air-conditioning, refrigerators, and other (other appliances, electronics, and lighting)
- by End uses by fuel: Totals and averages for each fuel by end use. For example: natural gas space heating
- Detailed end-use consumption and expenditure estimates: totals and averages for an expanded list of end uses
- Space heating consumption by main heating fuel: estimates of average space heating consumption tabulated by main space heating fuel
Microdata
The microdata file is often updated during new versions of the RECS. It contains household characteristics data; additional square footage data; household energy insecurity data; consumption and expenditures data; wood consumption variable; and weather and climate-related variables used in the end-use modeling process.
Methodology
The methodology section of the RECS contains information such as technical documentation, highlights (such as where particular data came from), notable research papers/presentations, and survey forms.
Partnership
Starting in 2015, with the help of RTI International researchers, EIA supplemented in-person data acquisition with self-administered web and paper surveys. This transition led to a cost savings potential for the government. A self-administered survey is fraction of the cost of an in-person survey, which costs about $400 per household. It also allows for the collection of energy usage data from a wider, more representative sample of U.S. residents.[2]