Households and the Environment Survey 2007

Increasing numbers of Canadian households are taking advantage of energy and water-saving devices in their home, and environmental issues are influencing household purchasing decisions and consumer habits.

More Canadian households are taking advantage of water-saving devices such as low-flow shower heads and low-volume toilets. In 2007, 62% of Canadian households reported they had a low-flow shower head, up from 54% the year before. Low-flow shower heads use up to 70% less water than standard shower heads and can save about 15% on the cost of heating the water.

Households in Ontario (65%) were most likely to have had a low-flow shower head while those in Saskatchewan (46%) were least likely.

In 2007, 39% of households reported that they had a low-volume toilet, up from 34% a year earlier. These toilets typically use less than six litres of water per flush, compared with older toilets that can use more than twice that amount.

Provincially, 47% of households in Ontario and Alberta reported they had low-volume toilets. Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec trailed at 28% and 30%, respectively.

Energy conservation
More Canadian households are taking advantage of energy-saving devices, such as energy-efficient light bulbs and programmable thermostats. In 2007, 84% reported that they had at least one type of energy-saving light in their home.

Between 2006 and 2007, the proportion using at least one compact fluorescent light bulb rose from 56% to 69%. Households in all provinces contributed to this increase.

As well, almost one-half of all households used fluorescent tubes and 35% used at least one halogen light. Both are types of energy-saving light bulbs.

Controlling the temperature
Programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature setting according to the time of the day. In 1994, 16% of households with a thermostat had one that was programmable; by 2006, this had more than doubled to 40%. This level was up slightly to 42% in 2007. Among households with such a device, about 16% had not programmed it.

You can find more details, charts and tables at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/bsolc/olc-cel/olc-cel?lang=eng&catno=11-526-X

For further information or to schedule interviews with a Statistics Canada Analyst regarding this release please contact: Jey Dharmaraj, at: (416) 954-5976 or jey.dharmaraj@statcan.ca