In the UK, our domestic energy use accounts for only one-quarter of total energy consumption. Business energy and transport energy make up the remaining three-quarters. Here are the most energy-consuming sectors and the utility sources they use:
Which method is used to measure energy?
Business energy sectors will be compared using the ‘KTOE’ unit, which means ‘kilotonne of oil equivalent’. A report published by the Office of National Statistics in July 2018 contains all the information.
The results
– Private offices – 3,539 ktoe
– Chemical manufacturing – 2,874 ktoe
– Hospitality – 2,458 ktoe
– Food products manufacturing – 2,242 ktoe
– Hospitals – 2,237 ktoe
– Non-metallic mineral manufacturing 1,924 ktoe
– Basic metals manufacturing – 1,489 ktoe
– Rubber and plastic manufacturing – 1,442 ktoe
– Small shops – 1,376 ktoe
– Paper products manufacturing – 1,297 ktoe
According to the results, the use of small machines is less energy efficient than the use of large, industrial machines. Among the most energy-intensive office equipment are computers, photocopiers, network hubs, projectors, and phones, while making paper to stock these offices consumes the least. Due to its intense heat requirements, chemical processing ranks high on the list, while simpler industrial processes like rubber are significantly less energy-intensive. UK energy prices have a large impact on the country’s consumption, even for small businesses.