Why do low-density exurban neighbourhoods use more energy per person than denser city neighbourhoods?

Low-density exurban neighborhoods consume more energy per person than denser city neighborhoods primarily due to differences in housing size, thermal efficiency, and transportation requirements.1

• Housing Efficiency: Exurban dwellings are typically larger than city apartments, requiring more energy for heating and cooling. Furthermore, single-family homes often feature multiple exterior walls that leak conditioned air, whereas city apartments are generally smaller and share walls, ceilings, and floors with neighboring units, which helps retain heat and cooling.1
• Transportation: Residents of low-density areas are heavily reliant on automobiles for daily activities, including commuting to work and traveling to retail establishments. This high dependence on personal vehicles for travel across dispersed landscapes significantly increases per capita energy consumption compared to denser urban environments where alternative transit or shorter travel distances are more common.1

These patterns of energy use contribute to higher levels of air pollution and global warming, highlighting the environmental costs associated with urban sprawl.1