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Energy Information Administration
Residential Energy Consumption Survey Historical Files
December 2000

Use of Non-linear Regression Procedures
Electricity Used for Furnace Fans Assigned to the Appliance Component
Electricity Used for Cooling Fans Assigned to Appliance Componen
For 1978, Treat Natural Gas Air-Conditioning as Electric-Air Conditioning

In December 2000, the following was done to create a set of end-use files for the 1978 through 1984 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) that will be more consistent with the 1987 through 1997 RECS.

 Use of Non-linear Regression Procedures

Discussion: The 1978 through 1982 RECS used a linear regression procedure to estimate consumption by end use and to impute for missing data.  Beginning with the 1984 RECS to present, a non-linear regression procedure is being used. The use of a non-linear regression procedure allowed the resulting model to more accurately reflect the usage data collected during the RECS interviews.

Action Taken: The basis for the revised 1978 file was the 1978 file that used linear regression results as a basis for imputation and end-use estimate.  The basis for the revised 1980, 1981, and 1982 files were the November 1986 files that used non-linear regression results.  The basis for the revised 1984 file was the 1984 RECS file that was used for the 1984 published results.

 Electricity Used for Furnace Fans Assigned to the Appliance Component

Discussion: From 1980 through 1984, the electricity used to operate the fans in a central forced-air furnace was assigned to the space-heating component.   For other years, it was assigned to the appliance component. The decision to place the electricity used to operate the fans in a central forced-air furnace in  the appliance component was made for the 1987 RECS.  This convention was used for all subsequent RECS.  The decision was made because of the desire not to have electricity assigned to the space-heating component when the household reported that electricity was not one of the fuels used for space heating. 

Action Taken: The 1984 RECS non-linear regression results were used to adjust the 1980 through 1984 non-linear files so the electricity used to operate furnace fans (except fans used in central air-conditioning equipment) is assigned to the appliance component.

Electricity Used for Cooling Fans Assigned to Appliance Component 

Discussion: For the 1980 through 1984, the electricity used to operate window fans, whole-house fans, and stand-alone fans was assigned to the air-conditioning component.  For other years, electricity use was assigned to the appliance component.   For all years, the electricity use to operate fans associated with central air-conditioning equipment was assigned to the air-conditioning component.  The decision to place the electricity used to operate cooling fans in the appliance component was made for the 1987 RECS.  This convention was used for all subsequent RECS.  The decision was made because of the desire not to have electricity assigned to the air-conditioning component when the household reported that they did not have and use air-conditioning equipment.

Action Taken: The 1984 RECS non-linear regression results were used to adjust the 1980 through 1984 non-linear files so the electricity used to operate cooling fans  is assigned to the appliance component.

For 1978, Treat Natural Gas Air Conditioning as Electric Air Conditioning

Discussion: For the 1978 RECS (NIECS), the air-conditioning component for households that reported that they had natural gas central air-conditioning was zero  (unless they also had window/wall air-conditioning units).  For 1980 through 1997 RECS, the end-use estimation procedure for electricity treated these households as if they had electric central air-conditioning. Follow-up calls, editing, inspections of utility bills, and calls to manufacturers established that most of the people who claim to have natural gas central air-conditioning equipment in fact have electric central air-conditioning equipment.  For this reason, RECS (1980 through 1997), end-use estimation procedure for electricity treated these households as if they had electric central air-conditioning.  For the 2001 RECS, we are not asking the household the energy source for the central air-conditioning equipment.  We will just assume that it is electricity.

Action Taken: Adjust the 1978 end-use estimates so the households that reported having natural gas central air-conditioning equipment will be treated (for electricity end-use estimation procedures) as if they had electric central air-conditioning equipment.


Contacts

Specific questions on this topic may be directed to:
Stephanie Battles
Stephanie.Battles@eia.doe.gov
(Phone: (202) 586-7237)
FAX: (202) 586-0018

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URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/efficiency/recs_revised_details.htm

File Last Modified: October 17, 1999