Energy efficiency goes beyond cutting your electric bill costs; it also demonstrates to both customers and employees that your company cares for the environment.
Energy efficiency improvements have helped maintain relatively stable American energy consumption since 2000, even during an economic expansion that increased energy demands substantially. They also reduce pollution while relieving strain on power grids and infrastructure.
Energy efficiency is a means of reducing carbon emissions
Energy efficiency is one of the easiest, cheapest, and fastest ways to reduce carbon emissions. Not only can energy efficiency contribute towards building a more sustainable society and economy; it is already making significant strides toward meeting climate targets.
Homeowners who invest in energy efficiency upgrades can reap the rewards with lower utility bills, while businesses may reap savings in business costs and taxes. Energy efficiency upgrades also enhance property values – in fact, homes certified energy efficient tend to sell faster in their neighborhood than comparable standard properties.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy serves as a catalyst for policies, investments, technologies and behaviors that promote more energy-efficient economies. We believe focusing on efficiency can create jobs, strengthen economies and ensure more secure renewable energy futures; industrial carbon emissions could decrease by 34% with world-class programs having payback periods under two years as evidence of their efficacy.
It is a cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions
Energy efficiency is a cost-effective method to cut emissions by optimizing energy use. Energy efficiency helps lower utility bills, conserve natural resources, improve comfort and save natural resources in homes and buildings alike, all while cutting overall demand, thus alleviating pressure on global resources and ecosystems.
NRDC works to support energy efficiency in various ways. For instance, they encourage consumers to purchase energy efficient appliances such as LED bulbs while working with cities to reduce energy waste in larger buildings. Additionally, they support new building’s energy efficiency by encouraging them to meet higher standards when constructed.
Energy efficiency is central to meeting the climate goals established by countries worldwide. When combined with renewables and other measures, it can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 40% – which primarily results from building decarbonization, fuel switching, and industrial GHG savings through strategic energy management.
It is a way of reducing pollution
Energy efficiency is an integral component of climate change mitigation strategies. By cutting energy use and cutting carbon pollution sources, it helps lower fossil fuel demand while safeguarding ecosystems such as water resources, soil quality and air purity. Furthermore, it enables decoupling between GDP growth and energy use that’s necessary to meet climate goals.
Energy efficient appliances, lighting and heating systems help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution, thus helping lower fossil fuel dependency further. Mandatory building standards and retrofits may further lower energy usage while energy efficient buildings may better facilitate renewable technologies to further cut back fossil fuel dependence.
Air pollution poses serious threats to human health, with its negative impacts disproportionately felt by low-income communities. Poor air quality is estimated to contribute to up to 11,000 annual deaths in the US alone; energy efficiency measures help limit industrial emissions while supporting healthier environments – especially for low-income households.
It is a way of reducing social impact
Energy efficiency reduces social impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy security, as well as helping households lower utility bills and creating jobs. Furthermore, it diversifies utilities’ resource portfolios to minimize volatility of electricity prices; improve indoor air quality; address key social determinants of health like financial insecurity while simultaneously helping lower-income households avoid choosing between paying bills or food.
Companies that implement Energy-Efficient Practices attract more socially conscious customers and employees, particularly Millennials who place great importance on company culture, social awareness, and environmental activism – factors which could potentially increase profits for sustainability-minded businesses. Furthermore, energy efficient upgrades can improve employee morale and retention rates since many employees will gladly accept a lower pay cut to work at such organizations.