Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS ) 2009 Technical Documentation - Summary
January 15, 2013
Overview and History of RECS
RECS is a periodic survey1 sponsored by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) that provides detailed information about energy usage in U.S. homes. RECS is a multi-year effort consisting of a Household Survey phase, data collection from household energy suppliers, and detailed consumption and expenditures estimation. The Household Survey collects data on energy-related characteristics and usage patterns of a nationally representative sample of housing units. For renters that do not directly pay for their energy usage, a supplementary Rental Agent Survey is conducted. The Energy Supplier Surveys (ESS) collect data on how much electricity, natural gas, propane/LPG, fuel oil, and kerosene were consumed in the sampled housing unit during the reference year. It also collects data on actual dollar amounts spent on these energy sources. EIA uses a non-linear statistical model to produce consumption and expenditures estimates for heating, cooling, refrigeration and other end uses in all housing units occupied as a primary residence in the United States. Originally conducted with paper and pencil, RECS now uses a combination of Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI), internet, and mail to collect data for the Household and Energy Supplier Surveys.
The scope and purpose of RECS differ slightly from similar EIA products that report “residential” energy data. For one, RECS samples homes occupied as a primary residence, which excludes secondary homes, vacant units, military barracks, and common area in apartment buildings. RECS estimates, therefore, do not represent sector level estimates, but are best suited for those wishing to compare across different characteristics of homes within the residential sector. RECS “totals” also exclude consumption and expenditures estimates for which data are difficult to obtain, such as estimates for biomass (wood) or solar consumption.
In the spirit of continuous improvement and in collaboration with the data user community, EIA instituted the following survey design revisions, content changes, and variable updates for the 2009 RECS:
- A nearly threefold increase in the sample size. This allowed EIA to release estimates for household characteristics and energy use for 16 States, 12 more than in past rounds of RECS. The total number of responding households increased from 4,382 in the 2005 RECS to 12,083 in the 2009 RECS.
- A new sample frame development methodology. The majority of the sample frame for the 2009 RECS was constructed using the U.S. Postal Service mail address database, the Delivery Sequence File (DSF).
- Expanded data collection on the type and usage of consumer electronics, including televisions and related devices, computers, and personal electronic devices.
- Finer resolution on age of appliances to align with benchmark years for efficiency standards. The "10-19 years old" equipment and appliance age range from previous surveys was split into two responses; it is now split into two age groups, 10-14 and 15-19 years.
- New data items for recent energy efficiency actions taken by the household including caulking, weatherstripping, insulation, and home energy audits.
- Standardized, Internet-based data collection for the Energy Supplier Surveys that allowed companies to respond via online forms, structured spreadsheet, or paper forms via mail.
The RECS is authorized under the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-275) as amended, and the Energy Policy Act of 1992