Energy Efficiency Thoughts
Efficient energy use, most times simply called energy efficiency, is using less energy to provide the same level of energy benefit. An example would be insulating a home to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve the same temperature in the living areas. Another example would be installing fluorescent lights and/or skylights instead of incandescent lights to attain the same level of illumination in the lounge.
Efficient energy use is achieved primarily by means of a more efficient technology or process rather than by changes in individual behavior. Changes in behaviors are hard to bring about and equally hard to maintain.
Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said by the government to be the “twin pillars” of sustainable energy policy.
Making homes, vehicles, and businesses more energy efficient is seen as a largely under utilised solution to addressing global warming, energy security, and fossil fuel depletion. Many of these ideas have been discussed for years, since the 1970’s oil crisis brought energy issues to the forefront.
Energy efficiency has proved to be a cost effective strategy for building economies without necessarily growing energy consumption. For example, the state of California began implementing energy-efficiency measures in the mid-1970s, including building code and appliance standards with strict efficiency requirements. During the following years, California’s energy consumption has remained approximately flat on a per capita basis while national U.S. consumption doubled. As part of its strategy, California implemented a three-step plan for new energy resources that puts energy efficiency first, renewable electricity supplies second, and new fossil fired power plants last.