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Year Constructed
The use of natural gas in households varied significantly when compared by the year in which the housing unit was constructed (Figure 1). Nearly three-fourths of residences (73 percent) constructed before 1970 used natural gas and 63 percent used it as their main heating fuel. Less than half of units (48 percent) constructed since 1970 used natural gas for any end use and 41 percent used it as their main heating fuel. Natural gas hookups were less often available for housing units constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, which helps explain why newer units were less likely to use the fuel.
Average annual natural gas consumption and expenditures did not vary significantly, with one exception—housing units constructed before 1950 consumed and spent more for the fuel (Figures 2 and 3). Prices for natural gas in 1997 varied little by year of construction (Figure 4). Higher projected prices for 2001 would result in higher annual expenditures (Figure 3).
Figure 1. Percent of Households That Use Natural Gas by Year Constructed, 1997
Source: Residential Energy Consumption Survey 1997.
Figure 2. Natural Gas Consumption per Household by Year Constructed, 1997
Source: Residential Energy Consumption Survey 1997.
Figure 3. Natural Gas Expenditures per Household in 1997 by Year Constructed
(Based on 1997 and 2001 Prices)
Source: Residential Energy Consumption Survey 1997 and EIA, Short-Term Energy Outlook February 2001.
Figure 4. Natural Gas Prices per Household by Year Constructed, 1997
Source: Residential Energy Consumption Survey 1997.