Carbon emission from urban metabolism constitutes a substantial component of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission, which is at least partially responsible for the recent global warming. Part of urban carbon emission comes from residential energy consumption. Given the ongoing urbanization trend and strict emission-reduction requirement, a good understanding of the urban residential energy consumption direct carbon emission (URECDCE) is of great importance to the sustainability of social and economic developments in China. We conducted a survey on residential energy consumption in the island districts of Xiamen in SE China in 2008. This study is based on 340 valid responses to the survey. The analysis shows (1) residential electricity consumption is the most important source of URECDCE; (2) in terms of URECDCE, social economic situation is more important than the natural setting of building and the energy consumption tendency; and (3) among six social economic variables surveyed, family size is the most important factor affecting family energy consumption. The survey provides the first-hand data for design and planning for urban energy saving, emission reduction, and scientific development.