Energy Efficiency: Why is It So Important?

Energy efficiency has become somewhat of a buzzword these days. With so many people (justifiably) concerned about the environment, it’s no wonder why. Of course, the concept of conserving electricity is about more than just the environment. It’s about reducing our dependence on foreign oil sources. And on the personal level, it can be about reducing electricity bills, which are rising all the time. What isn’t talked about as much is the progress that has already been made in the electricity consumption industry. Since the 70s, the U.S. has decreased its expenditures nearly 50% when it comes to intensity. This is due to new technologies that make the most of the energy they receive.

What many people don’t understand is the impact energy efficiency can have on the economy in general. In 2004, several surveys were completed which showed that Americans were able to save nearly seven billion dollars due to new technology and purchasing appliances that were designed to save electricity whenever possible. Does this lead to decreased performance? This is a concern for many homeowners. They would love to save money on their monthly bill, but they don’t want to take anemic showers or wait a half hour for their water to heat up in order to do so. The good news is that this is seldom the case anymore. In fact, many Energy Star rated appliances are much more customer-friendly than the old generation of such products.

In the 70s, it looked like solar power was where we were headed as a country. Then, as the 80s turned into a decade of unrestrained consumption, this ideal was somewhat lost. As we refocus our efforts on getting away from oil and fossil fuels, solar power is once again on the table. The technologies behind it, of course, are now thirty years more advanced. There are homeowners in parts of the world who are able to get 100% of their electricity from the sun’s power. This isn’t reasonable for everyone, but there are very few situations where solar power can not at least augment the electrical system and contribute to increased energy efficiency.

The fact of the matter, however, is this: while pressure can come from individuals, it is the U.S. government that will have to make the big moves when it comes to energy efficiency for the country. People don’t like to make big changes unless they are forced upon them. And if people are bad about this, corporations are even worse. The bottom line is always about making the most profit possible. But when that profit leads us inexorably toward global warming and the depletion of our natural oil sources, something has to give. Not only must we look for alternative sources, we must make the most out of energy efficiency in the meantime.