More than 61 million American households had natural gas service in 2002, marking a 1.4% increase, 887,000 homes, over 2001, according to the American Gas Association (AGA). Looking at its data, the AGA added that as of 2002 — the most recent year of complete data — 61% of all U.S. households had gas service.

In its 55th annual survey of the natural gas utility industry in the United States, the AGA found that 14% of the 887,000 new customers in 2002 converted to natural gas from another fuel, with 48% switching away from electric heat, 37% switching from heating oil and the remaining 15% unidentified. Eighty-four percent of all U.S. households using gas in 2002 used gas for home heating purposes.

More data gleaned from the survey showed that nearly seven of every 10 single-family homes built in 2002 featured natural gas heat, marking the continuation of a strong consumer preference for this domestic energy source, the AGA said. Natural gas heat captured 68% of the home-heat share in new single-family homes in 2002, followed by electricity with 28% and heating oil at 3%.

“Natural gas is a clear consumer favorite for home-heating because it is comfortable, reliable and easy to use,” said Bruce McDowell, AGA director of policy analysis. “While most people associate natural gas with home-heating, an increasing number of consumers in both cold-weather and warm-weather states seek gas service to support fireplaces, outdoor grills and other amenities that enhance enjoyment of their homes.”

The AGA added that gas was the most popular home-heating fuel in new single-family homes in most regions in 2002, with the Midwest coming in at 90%. New homes in the West were 89% gas, with the Northeast coming in at 65% and the South logging 48%. Gas single-family homes completed in 2002 registered a 68% market share, a drop of two percentage points from 2001.

However, gas single-family home completions exceeded electric completions for the seventeenth consecutive year. Taking into account both single and multi-family units, the gas share of new housing completions decreased to 64%, compared to 65% the previous year. The overall electric share increased by one percentage point to 33% in 2002.

Other statistics uncovered by the survey include the fact that the overall market share for natural gas space heat in existing homes rose slightly to 52% since 1999, while gas water heaters maintained a similar market share as well. Market shares for gas cooking and clothes drying remained at 35 and 22%, respectively.

On the 2002 Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) front, the AGA found that more than $3.1 billion went to help low-income households pay their energy bills or weatherize their homes. Most of the funding came from LIHEAP, with $1.8 billion in normal appropriations and emergency funds. Utilities, both electric and natural gas, accounted for 25% ($771 million) of the total in the form of discounts, waivers, forgiveness of arrearages, and weatherization programs.

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