Residential & Commercial

Direct greenhouse gas emissions from the residential and commercial sectors account for about 11 percent of total U.S. emissions. In the residential sector, most direct emissions come from heating and cooking; in the commercial sector, most direct emissions come from direct fossil fuel combustion, landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, and other sources. In addition, the residential and commercial sectors are large end users of electricity. When greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use—primarily in buildings—are distributed among end-use sectors, the residential and commercial sectors account for about 35 percent of total U.S. emissions. Major end uses of electricity include the heating and cooling of buildings, lighting, cooking, and the use of appliances.