How does Saving Energy Help the Environment?

Save energy, save the environment

Although it may not be obvious, there's a direct connection between your energy use and the environment. When you consume less power, you reduce the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth's natural resources and protect ecosystems from destruction. By taking steps to reduce your energy intake, you'll contribute to a healthier and happier world.

Protect the air and prevent climate change

Perhaps the most notable way that reducing energy helps the environment is by decreasing power plant emissions. To generate electricity, most power plants burn coal, crude oil or other fossil fuels. Although this method of creating energy is relatively inexpensive, our planet pays the price – carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are just a few of the byproducts that come from traditional methods of power generation.

Carbon dioxide, which accounts for the majority of all airborne pollution, is a greenhouse gas. When carbon dioxide is released into the air, it absorbs the sun's warmth and keeps heat in our atmosphere. This "greenhouse effect" is a natural phenomenon, and it's necessary for survival on earth. However, as power plants burn more fuel to create more energy, the extra carbon waste traps too much heat. This can have a detrimental impact on our land and our lives. Effects of greenhouse gas emissions include:

• Rising temperatures, heat waves and drought
• Higher sea levels
• Abnormal weather patterns
• Increased intensity of natural disasters
• Smog and acid rain

Cutting back on energy consumption reduces the amount of electricity that power plants have to make, subsequently reducing the amount of fossil fuels that are burned each day. Even a small change can make a tremendous difference – if every American household traded in just one incandescent light bulb for an efficient CFL, the reduction in pollution would be equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road.

Conserve limited natural resources

When you opt to cut back on energy use, you also help conserve limited natural resources that would otherwise be used to power the power plants. Less demand for energy creates less demand for harvesting fossil fuels. Turning off the lights at night or washing clothes in cold water can save trees, coal, natural gas and more. From an economic standpoint, it's critical to conserve our finite resources. As fossil fuels become increasingly scarce, they will become extremely expensive.

Save ecosystems and animals

In addition to impacting climate patterns and depleting stores of natural resources, excessive energy use can harm animals and ecosystems. Mining, logging and material extraction associated with the provision of fossil fuels destroys habitats on land and in the ocean. Human-induced air pollution is one of the main reasons that biodiversity is disappearing at 1,000 times the normal extinction rate.

Oil spills, which often occur during the transport of fossil fuels, wreak havoc on underwater species and throw of the chemical balance of our oceans, making it dangerous for humans to swim.

Although the EPA has set regulations to reduce chemical dumping, the toxic waste created by power plants hasn't disappeared. Coal-fired power plants are reportedly the largest source of toxic water pollution in the U.S. Each year, these energy plants discharge billions of tons of poisonous waste, often containing arsenic, mercury and lead.

Consume less, conserve more

Reducing electricity use in your home – or going off the power grid with solar energy –can benefit the environment, conserve resources and save lives. Although your own energy saving adjustments may seem inconsequential, small steps become great leaps when multiplied by 7 billion.

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Energy Efficiency & Conservation

Everyone uses energy

People use energy each day for transportation, cooking, heating and cooling rooms, manufacturing, lighting, entertainment, and many other uses. The choices people make about how they use energy—turning machines off when they're not using them or choosing to buy fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-efficient appliances—affects the environment and everyone's lives.

Did you know?

The ENERGY STAR® label on appliances and electronic equipment identifies energy-efficient products.

Efficiency and conservation are different but related

The terms energy efficiency and energy conservation have distinct meanings:

• Energy efficiency is using technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. Using a compact fluorescent light bulb that requires less energy instead of using an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example of energy efficiency.
• Energy conservation is any behavior that results in the use of less energy. Turning the lights off when leaving the room and recycling aluminum cans are both ways of conserving energy.

Top 10 Tips

1. Ceiling insulation is the most effective barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold. A minimum of R3.5 is recommended for most areas in Victoria.
2. Keep the heat inside during winter and the hot air out in summer by sealing up any gaps and cracks in external walls, floors and ceiling. Seal external doors using draught stoppers or 'door snakes' at the bottom and weather stripping around the frames. Close blinds, curtains, windows and doors on cold days to keep the heat in, and in summer use outside shading to keep the sun off the glass.
3. Dress for the weather – in winter, wear extra layers inside and lower your heating thermostat. By setting your heating thermostat between 18-20°C, you can decrease your running costs by up to 10%. In summer, wear lighter clothing and keep your air conditioner’s thermostat between 24°C – 26°C.
4. Your fridge runs 24 hours a day 365 days a year. This adds up and makes it the most expensive appliance to run. Make sure that the door seal is tight and free from gaps so cold air doesn't escape. If you have a second fridge, give it a winter break - just turn it on when you need it.
5. Only heat or cool and light rooms you are using. Where possible, zone your lighting and ducted heating or cooling and close off doors to unoccupied rooms.
6. Consider using energy efficient light globes, such as LEDs as an alternative to general lighting and avoid halogen downlights.
7. Switch off appliances not in use at the wall. The cost of appliances which are switched on and not being used (on standby) can add over $100 on your annual power bill.
8. By washing your clothes in cold water and drying on a line or rack, you can save up to $100* a year.
9. Compare your electricity suppliers to check you are getting the best deal on your rates at switchon.vic.gov.au.
10. Have a free standby power controller installed to save money and electricity. Standby power controllers automatically cut off power to your electronic devices when you switch them to stand-by mode by pressing the on/off button on your remote control. For a list of accredited installers go to www.veet.vic.gov.au.

Home Energy Efficiency

Heating and hot water

Heating and hot water accounts for around 62% of what you spend in a year on energy bills. So your boiler and heating controls can have a big impact on your energy bills.

Home appliances

From kettles to home entertainment systems, read our advice on choosing appliances best on energy ratings - an important way to help you reduce consumption and lower your energy bills.

Utilities: information on switching

Our tips on switching energy suppliers will help ensure you are getting the best deal from your current energy supplier and ultimately help you save on your bills.

Saving water

Saving water can reduce your energy use and bills, reduce the impact on your local environment and your carbon dioxide emissions. Find out how to get started and start saving today.

Energy efficient lighting

There are a variety of energy efficient lighting products available but choosing between them can be confusing. Read our advice and find out how changing the bulbs you use can instantly help you make energy and financial savings.

Smart meters

Smart meters represent the next generation of gas and electricity meters. They can help you keep track of the energy you use and help you make informed decisions to manage your costs. Read our page to find out more.

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Why is Energy Efficiency Important?

Energy has emerged as a critical economic issue and top priority for policymakers. Unsustainable energy supply and demand have serious implications for everything from household budgets to international relations. Buildings are on the front line of this issue because of their high consumption of energy. Studies have repeatedly shown that efficient buildings and appropriate land use offer opportunities to save money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The current worldwide mix of energy resources is weighted heavily toward oil, coal, and natural gas.In addition to emitting greenhouse gases, these resources are nonrenewable: their quantities are limited or they cannot be replaced as fast as they are consumed.Though estimates regarding the remaining quantity of these resources vary, it is clear that the current reliance on nonrenewable energy sources is not sustainable and involves increasingly destructive extraction processes, uncertain supplies, escalating market prices, and national security vulnerability. Accounting for approximately 40% of the total energy used today, buildings are significant contributors to these problems.

What are strategies that increase energy efficiency?

• Address the envelope. Use the regionally appropriate amount of insulation in the walls and roof and install high-performance glazing to minimize unwanted heat gain or loss. Make sure that the building is properly weatherized.
• Install high-performance mechanical systems and appliances. Apply life cycle assessment to the trade-offs between capital and operating costs, and evaluate investments in energy efficiency technologies. Appliances that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements will reduce plug load demands.
• Use high-efficiency infrastructure. Efficient street lighting and LED traffic signals will reduce energy demands from neighborhood infrastructure.
• Capture efficiencies of scale. Design district heating and cooling systems, in which multiple buildings are part of a single loop.
• Use energy simulation. Computer modeling can identify and prioritize energy efficiency opportunities.
• Monitor and verify performance. Ensure that the building systems are functioning as designed and support the owner’s project requirements through control systems, a building automation system, and commissioning and retrocommissioning.

Domestic Energy Consumption

Energy efficiency has proved to be a cost-effective strategy for building economies without necessarily increasing 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 US consumption doubled. As part of its strategy, California implemented a "loading order" for new energy resources that puts energy efficiency first, renewable electricity supplies second, and new fossil-fired power plants last. States such as Connecticut and New York have created quasi-public Green Banks to help residential and commercial building-owners finance energy efficiency upgrades that reduce emissions and cut consumers' energy costs.

Lovin's Rocky Mountain Institute points out that in industrial settings, "there are abundant opportunities to save 70% to 90% of the energy and cost for lighting, fan, and pump systems; 50% for electric motors; and 60% in areas such as heating, cooling, office equipment, and appliances." In general, up to 75% of the electricity used in the US today could be saved with efficiency measures that cost less than the electricity itself. The same holds true for this is home and there is 78% of electricity uses D in your home-owners, leaky ducts have remained an invisible energy culprit for years. In fact, researchers at the US Department of Energy and their consortium, Residential Energy Efficient Distribution Systems (REEDS) have found that duct efficiency may be as low as 50–70%. The US Department of Energy has stated that there is potential for energy saving in the magnitude of 90 Billion kWh by increasing home energy efficiency.

Other studies have emphasized this. A report published in 2006 by the McKinsey Global Institute, asserted that "there are sufficient economically viable opportunities for energy-productivity improvements that could keep global energy-demand growth at less than 1 percent per annum"—less than half of the 2.2 percent average growth anticipated through 2020 in a business-as-usual scenario. Energy productivity, which measures the output and quality of goods and services per unit of energy input, can come from either reducing the amount of energy required to produce something, or from increasing the quantity or quality of goods and services from the same amount of energy.

The Vienna Climate Change Talks 2007 Report, under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), clearly shows "that energy efficiency can achieve real emission reductions at low cost."

International standards ISO 17743 and ISO 17742 provide a documented methodology for calculating and reporting on energy savings and energy efficiency for countries and cities.

Efficient Energy Use

Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature. Installing fluorescent lights, LED lights or natural skylights reduces the amount of energy required to attain the same level of illumination compared with using traditional incandescent light bulbs. Improvements in energy efficiency are generally achieved by adopting a more efficient technology or production process or by application of commonly accepted methods to reduce energy losses.

There are many motivations to improve energy efficiency. Reducing energy use reduces energy costs and may result in a financial cost saving to consumers if the energy savings offset any additional costs of implementing an energy efficient technology. Reducing energy use is also seen as a solution to the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, improved energy efficiency in buildings, industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's energy needs in 2050 by one third, and help control global emissions of greenhouse gases.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy policy and are high priorities in the sustainable energy hierarchy. In many countries energy efficiency is also seen to have a national security benefit because it can be used to reduce the level of energy imports from foreign countries and may slow down the rate at which domestic energy resources are depleted.

How to Improve Energy-efficiency Rating?

1. Insulate your loft

Earlier this year, the Department for Energy and Climate Change claimed that UK homes wasted £500 million pumping heat into their homes that escaped through poorly insulated roofs and walls.
In fact, with decent insulation, each home could save £160 each on average every year, it claimed.
So, lay down some decent loft insulation and you’ll soon see a difference.

2. Upgrade your boiler

Did you know inefficient boilers could be adding more than £200 to your energy bills? That means that upgrading yours could be a great way to cut what you pay in the long term. It’s also a great way to dramatically reduce your home’s carbon emissions – boilers account for 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home.

Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. If yours is at the lower end of the scale then investing in a new one could save you a packet over the long-term.

3. Hang thick curtains and insulate your doors

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. Hanging thicker curtains over windows will prevent heat escaping and make your home much more snug, especially once the nights become longer.

You can also buy cheap stick-on insulation to run down the sides of drafty doors – it will all add up to a warmer home and lower bills.

4. Watch your energy consumption

Do you know how much energy you waste? Invest in an energy monitor – they cost around £30 but some gas and electricity companies give them to customers for free.

Put it somewhere your whole family can see it, like the kitchen. Some of these handy gadgets work out how much your energy use is costing, so that’s a really good reminder to cut back.

British Gas research shows that having a monitor helps families save as much as £110 a year simply by cutting back because they can actually see what they use.

5. Switch to a cheaper energy tariff

Make sure you find the cheapest energy deal for you – after all, you could use the savings to invest in making your home more energy efficient. There’s an exclusive deal with Scottish Power at the moment where if you switch to one of its dual fuel tariffs you could earn £70 cashback, so it’s a good time to consider moving.
 
One way householders can make a stand for the planet is by switching to a green energy tariff.
Many gas and electricity companies offer these kinds of tariffs, which mean that, for any power you use, they contribute energy from renewable sources to the grid.
You can compare green gas and electricity tariffs through our site but, bear in mind these are usually more expensive than standard tariffs.

6. Use a water-saving showerhead

We all know that baths can be wasteful and so a shower is a greener option, but just how green is your daily wash?

If you spend 20 minutes soaping yourself under a torrent of scalding water then you’re probably using more energy than you think. Some power showers use more water in five minutes than a whole bath.

By fitting a water saving showerhead, you’ll cut back on the amount of water and energy you use.

7. Fit double glazing

If you don’t yet have double glazing fitted, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make to your annual energy bills.

Your initial investment will be fairly high but double-glazed windows will trap more heat inside your home, meaning they will save you money in the long term.

Double glazing is available in a variety of styles, so it doesn’t have to ruin the look of your home. When you are choosing your windows, look out for the ‘Energy Saving Trust recommended’ logo as this seal of approval is only given to the more efficient windows.

8. Invest in an eco kettle

Do you boil a whole kettleful of water each time you fancy one cup of tea? Kettles are incredibly wasteful but you can save on energy by only heating what you need and investing in an environmentally friendly alternative. Some eco kettles use as much as 30% less power.

In fact, it’s not just eco kettles that can help you save. Choosing appliances like TVs and fridges based on their energy efficiency can make a big difference. Which? says that the annual running costs for a fridge can vary from £13 to £92 a year – so finding the most efficient model is clearly a good idea.

9. Consider solar panels

Solar panels enable you to generate some of your own heat or power and even sell energy back to the National Grid with a feed-in tariff.

Some panels warm the water in your tanks by a small amount, reducing your overall bills.

But those with photovoltaic (PV) cells actually generate energy and the Energy Saving Trust thinks the average home can provide 40% of its power this way. If you’re generating energy at the wrong time of day for you to use, you can sell that back to grid and someone else will use it.

The average PV system costs £12,000, although it obviously depends on the amount you want to generate and the space you have for the panels.
Some companies are offering free solar panels in return for the income made through selling the energy to the grid. You get free energy through the panels, while any unused energy is sold and the proceeds given to the company.


Be very careful as it is early days for these schemes and there are some fraudsters taking advantage. However, for many people this could be a useful way to do their bit for the environment at no extra cost.

Solar panels work even when it’s cloudy, so don’t let the UK weather put you off.

10. Insulate your cavity walls

Uninsulated walls account for up to 33% of the heat lost in your home. Filling cavity walls could save you up to £180 a year and reduce carbon emissions by a tonne.

Of course, a job like this doesn’t come cheap – cavity wall insulation costs from £300 upwards depending on the size of your property – but there are grants available to help with the cost. Look under the ‘search for grants and offers’ section on the Energy Saving Trust website, which will tell you more about offers available in your area.

The size of grants may differ depending on your personal circumstances, age and geographical area, but they are not usually restricted to the elderly or those on low incomes.

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Examples of Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the "low hanging fruit" of climate action. Energy efficiency covers a broad range of issues across all sectors of the economy. Overall costs of energy efficiency are generally low compared to other options. And many measures have low or negative net costs and short payback time.

Vending machines becoming more climate friendly. Photo credit: Coca-Cola

Here's an example from the business world that has been celebrated by the UNFCCC secretariat's Momentum for Change Initiative. The Coca-Cola Company committed to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint by cutting energy consumption 40% by 2010, and will replace all of its vending machines that use hydrofluorocarbons with more environmentally friendly refrigerants by 2015.

Numerous examples of energy efficiency have already been discussed by the ADP, the negotiation stream tasked with designing an effective global climate change agreement in 2015 and ramping up immediate climate ambition.

According the UN Environment Programme's Emissions Gap Report 2012, the total mitigation potential in 2020 for buildings alone is within range of 1.4-2.9 Gigatonnes C02 equivalent. And the International Energy Agency says that by unlocking cost-effective energy efficiency options, cumulative global economic output would increase by USD 18 trillion by 2035. The greatest financial gains would be in India, China and Europe. But other parts of the world can benefit, too.

For example, in Ghana the implementation of minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners is expected to reduce emissions by around 2.8 C02 Megatonnes equivalent over 30 years and save consumers around USD 64 million annually in energy bills. And in Nepal, a CDM project helps reduce fuel consumption by introducing fuel efficient cooking stoves. Apart from reducing deforestation rates and GHG emissions, the project also improves the living conditions of the poor families through reduced indoor air pollution.

Photo credit: Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal

It's important to keep in mind that the introduction of innovative policies that put a price on carbon, such as emissions trading and carbon taxes are a major driver of energy efficiency. China has implemented several pilot projects and approaches to explore carbon market opportunities, with a view to implementing national carbon trading.

European Union plans to improve efficiency of new cars (95 g/km – 40% improvement compared to 2007) and vans (147 g/km – 28% improvement compared to 2007) from 2020 can result in saving users of such vehicles on average EUR 3-4 thousand in fuel costs over the lifetime of each such vehicle.

There are numerous co-benefits to taking climate action with the help of energy efficiency, not least through health benefits from the reduction of water and air pollution. For example, measures in Mexico to reduce air pollution through improved brick kiln designs have already boosted fuel efficiency by 50% and reduced particulate pollution from kilns by 80%.

Efficient lighting cleanly meets growing demand. Photo by en.lighten

Another great example of efficiency highlighted by the UN Climate Change Secretariat's Momentum for Change Initiative is en.lighten, which is accelerating the transition to energy efficient lighting in developing countries where electrical demand is expected to grow rapidly. More than 130 countries still market inefficient incandescent lamps, and en.lighten aims to help these countries switch to more efficient lighting by 2016.

Energy Efficiency

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is key to ensuring a safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system for the future. It is the one energy resource that every country possesses in abundance and is the quickest and least costly way of addressing energy security, environmental and economic challenges.

Why must we be energy efficient?

1. SAVES MONEY
Appliances that are energy-prone reduces the energy used. For example,electrical energy. By so,it also cuts down on bills.

2. IMPROVES THE ECONOMY
As it is proven to be able to save money,it also improves the economy.

3. GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
It lessens the current amount of energy we are using,therefore not harming the environment. Many new technologies to save energy are also invented with keeping the quality of environment in mind.

4. IMPROVES NATIONAL SECURITY

5. ENHANCES QUALITY OF LIFE