Household energy use and greenhouse gas emissions

It is estimated that the average household in London, living in a single-family home, spent over $450 every month on energy in 2019. Over half of this, about $240, was spent on gasoline. Electricity accounted for about $100 per month, while natural gas was under $80 per month.

In terms of household greenhouse gas emissions, the average household emitted almost 10.5 tonnes per year. As with cost, almost half (49%) of this comes from burning gasoline. Natural gas used for space heating and water heating accounts for 41 percent of emissions. Organic waste in the landfill accounts for about seven percent. Given Ontario’s clean electricity grid, electricity use in the home only accounts for under two percent of household GHG emissions.

It is important to recognize the fact that the production and transportation of the consumer goods we purchase do have an environmental impact, and that some types of goods (e.g., meat and dairy products) do have a larger impact than others. At this point in time, there is no easy-to-use methodology to estimate this at the community-wide scale.

Household energy sources of GHG

Actions you can take

The following “Actions” are what residents, businesses, and employers can do to take climate action immediately

• Drive less (or not at all) – make more trips by walking, cycling, transit, carpooling
• Reduce transportation impacts by switching to an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a very fuel efficient one.
• Make your home more energy efficient - add insulation to your walls and attic, use weather-stripping to reduce drafts, replace your old central air conditioner with an air-sourced heat pump that also provides emissions-free heating
• Make your home severe weather resilient – install a battery backup-powered sump pump,
• Reduce food waste, especially for high-impact foods such as red meat and dairy.
• Go local – for food, for products, for vacations.

Get involved and share your feedback. 

http://getinvolved.london.ca/climate

climateaction@london.ca