Why Efficiency Matters
Lower Energy Bills
Energy efficiency measures help you use less energy to perform the same tasks. This means lower energy bills for your household. For example, using energy-efficient appliances or LED light bulbs can significantly reduce your electricity consumption without compromising performance.
Reduced Strain on the Grid
When many households use energy-efficient devices, the overall demand on the power grid decreases. This is especially important during peak times, like hot summer days when everyone is using air conditioning. Reducing demand helps prevent blackouts and ensures that everyone has access to electricity when they need it most.
Environmental Benefits
Using less energy means fewer fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity. This leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which helps combat climate change and improves air quality. By adopting energy-efficient practices, you contribute to a healthier environment for everyone.
Enhanced Energy Security
Reducing energy demand through efficiency measures makes the entire energy system more resilient. It decreases our reliance on imported energy and helps maintain stable and predictable energy supplies. This is crucial during times of high demand or when supply disruptions occur.
Cost Savings for Consumers & Utilities
When the demand for energy is lower, utilities can operate more efficiently and avoid the high costs associated with building new power plants or upgrading infrastructure. These savings can be passed on to consumers through lower energy rates and better service.
Support for Renewable Energy Integration
Energy efficiency helps smooth the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid. By reducing overall demand, it becomes easier to match energy supply with demand, even when renewable energy production fluctuates due to weather conditions.
Increased Comfort & Productivity
Energy-efficient homes have better insulation, improved lighting, and more effective heating and cooling systems. This leads to increased comfort and productivity, making living spaces more pleasant and functional.
Long-Term Sustainability
Investing in energy efficiency is a step toward long-term sustainability. It ensures that we are making the most of our resources and reducing waste. This helps create a more sustainable future for the next generations by conserving resources and protecting the environment.
Additional Information
- To learn more about energy burden, check out the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) Energy Burden Report. The report explores energy burden patterns nationally, regionally, and across all metro areas and also provides recommendations.
- The Sierra Club offers an energy burden calculator to help you estimate the percentage of your income that is spent on energy expenses.
- The Department of Energy offers the Low-income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool is an online platform that allows users to compare the cost of energy relative to income, also known as the energy burden, for various geographic regions. These data-driven insights can assist with program planning and creating better energy policy.
- Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool was created by executive order in 2021 as an interactive map that uses datasets as indicators of burdens in eight categories (climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water, wastewater and workforce development). The tool uses this information to identify communities that are experiencing these burdens.