Survey of Household Energy Use (SHEU)
Summary of changes
Activity on this program started: 1993
Reference period of change - 2003
Target population - Two types of dwelling configurations (duplex and low-rise buildings) were added to the target population.
Sampling - The two main sources of data first envisaged for the 2004 SHEU survey frame were the Labour Force Survey (LFS), used in 1993 and 1998, and the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). One disadvantage of the LFS was that we had to select whole rotation groups if we wanted to avoid unduly complex variance estimation. One significant advantage of the CCHS over the LFS was that the CCHS allowed for obtaining reduced design effects, meaning that the required sample could be reduced, along with the related collection costs. The CCHS was therefore selected as the survey frame for the 2004 SHEU.
Data sources - Major revisions to the content and design of the questionnaire were occasioned by the addition of duplex and low-rise buildings to the target population. Given that these were primarily occupied by renters and condominium owners, an additional component was added to collect information from the landlords and condominium managers. This information was collected only for cases where Statistics Canada was given expressed permission by the tenant or condo owner.
As a result of these revisions, the data collection period for the 2004 SHEU was increased to 12 weeks as compared to approximately 2 to 3 weeks required for the 1993 and 1998 surveys. The requirement for an extended collection period beyond the month of March may have an effect on data comparability.
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