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How We Use Energy
Canada is a very developed country. We use a lot of energy in our homes, schools, businesses, and for transportation. The government of Canada measures how much energy is used in four areas:
Residential
This includes houses and apartments
Commercial/Institutional
This includes buildings such as offices, stores, malls, hospitals, and schools
Industrial
This includes buildings and equipment used for industries: examples of industries are manufacturing, construction, agriculture, mining, and forestry
Transportation
This includes all vehicles that move people or goods: examples include cars, buses, trucks, and trains
The circle graph shows approximately how much energy is used in each of these areas.
Appliances such as refrigerators use energy
Energy Use in Our Homes
In Canada, natural gas and electricity are used to heat most homes, including apartment buildings. About 20 percent of all homes are heated through the use of other fuels such as oil, wood, wood pellets, or propane. We also use energy in our homes for other purposes, including:
• lighting
• heating water
• appliances such as refrigerators and blenders
• electronic equipment such as televisions and computers
The amount of electricity we use in our homes is increasing every year.
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