Energy efficiency, often called the Fifth Fuel, refers to products or systems using less energy to do the same or better job than conventional products or systems. It’s a way of managing and restraining the growth in energy consumption. Something is more energy efficient if it delivers more service for the same or less energy input.
Energy efficiency is different from energy conservation. Turning off a light is energy conservation, whereas energy efficiency does the same amount or more work using less energy. Both efficiency and conservation use less energy and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Today there are many more energy-efficient products, homes, and buildings than in the past. Examples of energy efficiency energy are:
- Replacing an incandescent lamp with a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or LED is more energy efficient. CFLs use much less energy to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp, and LEDs use even less than CFLs. High-quality LEDs consume at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent.
- An energy-efficient washing machine provides the same service, laundry, at a lower consumption rate of energy.
- A well-insulated house is more energy efficient because less heat escapes, and therefore less heat needs to be used to maintain a comfortable living environment. And similarly for cooling.
The RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index Score – The Lower the Better!
The RESNET HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. The HERS, or Home Energy Rating System, was developed by RESNET and is the nationally recognized rating system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. Certified RESNET Home Energy Raters conduct inspections to verify a home’s energy performance and determine what improvements can be made to increase it.
Homes with lower HERS Index scores cost less to run, provide better home comfort and enjoy higher resale values. Here’s an interactive explanation of how it works.
Energy Improvements Are Now – More Affordable than Ever!
From energy mortgages to residential energy tax credits, learn about all the financial benefits you can take advantage of when you decide to make your home more energy efficient.
Building Performance: To go further down the Energy Efficiency rabbit hole regarding your building’s performance, check out Wikipedia and see additional details, references, and external links.
SPEER, the newest regional energy efficiency organization, aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced building systems and energy-efficient products and services in Texas and Oklahoma. These two states include nearly 30 million people and many of the fastest-growing cities in America. There is a tremendous opportunity to increase energy efficiency in the region through building codes, retrofits for existing buildings, better training, innovative policies, and cooperative marketing to make it easier for the public to understand efficiency opportunities.
CPS Energy has a great list of ways to reduce your use, from free steps to take and smart purchases to great investments for long-term savings (you may be required to be logged into your CPS account).