Residential energy use to the Year 2000: a regional analysis

A previous ORNL report (ORNL/CON-13) evaluates the national energy and direct economic effects of implementing various residential energy conservation programs. This report evaluates the effects of these programs in each of the ten Federal regions. The programs considered are those proposed in the National Energy Plan: appliance efficiency targets, thermal standards for construction of new residences, and weatherization of existing housing units. Implementation of these programs might cut cumulative (1977-2000) national residential energy use by 41 QBtu. Relative energy savings are highest in Regions 7 and 8 (11 and 10% respectively, of their baselines) and smallest in Region 9 (7%). The net economic benefit to the nation's households of these three Federal programs is $21 billion. Benefits exceed costs in each region; the benefit/cost ratio ranges from a low of 1.4 in Region 10 to a high of 2.0 in Region 6. 21 tables, 8 figs, 19 refs., plus 10 p. computer printout.