This study reveals the facts about non-commercial energy consumed in China＇s rural areas, and estimates the real rural energy consumption in China in 1990. The study suggests that China＇s government must pay more attention to managing rural energy consumption and improving energy efficiency in rural areas. The study also suggests that to divide energy consumption into commercial energy consumption and non-commercial energy consumption does not reflect the real situation in China, or perhaps in developing countries. A more appropriate approach is to divide real energy consumption into statistical (recorded) energy consumption and non-statistical (unrecorded) energy consumption. Energy policy in developing countries must pay more attention to the management of the non-statistical (unrecorded) energy consumption, and perfect the statistical scope of energy production and consumption as soon as possible.