This is almost completely irrelevant to Toronto, but the information is interesting nonetheless.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/origin/origin_householder.html
Average U.S. Energy Expenditure Per Household (1997)
In 1997, the average yearly energy expenditure was $1,338, with $421 spent on heating and $140 spent on cooling.
As of the 2005 data, the average yearly energy expenditure in New England (closest geographically to Toronto) per household rose to $2,428 (national average = $1,810). Breaking that down, $1,188 was spent on heating a home and $98 cooling a home (the remainder on other energy uses).
While it’s difficult to draw comparisons because the only figures provided in 1997 was the average (which includes climates with less heating and cooling days), it’s safe to say that energy costs are rapidly increasing. In 2005 the New England expenditures are 34% ($2,428 / $1,810) higher than the average, so using that figure we’ll assume 1997 New England expenditures are 34% higher, putting us at $1,795.
2005 – 1997 = 8 years
$2,428 – $1,795 = $633 (total)
$1,188 – $724= $464 (heating is 72% higher in NE than average [1997:$421*171%=$724])
$98 – $50 = $48 (cooling in NE is 36% of the national average [1997:$140*36%=$50])
In summary (and using admittedly brutal assumptions), overall energy expenditures increased 35%, heating costs increased 64%, and cooling costs increased 96% in New England over an 8 year period.
The 2009 data is slated for release early 2011 according to the website.
