There’s a lot of information out there about energy efficiency, with more reported nearly every day. Here are some interesting snippets of information from a few sources.
1. Get more efficient. It’s no surprise: Americans use more energy than anyone else in the world. What is more surprising, however, is that our usage has doubled since 1963 and that we use more per dollar of our gross domestic product than most other countries. This information comes from a report by the National Academies of Science and Engineering and reported by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
The study suggests, however, that Americans can reduce growth rate of energy usage.
How might this be done? The report suggests that savings can come with lighting upgrades such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs), along with advanced cooling technologies like driving absorption chillers with waste heat.
2. Develop new technologies. NewScientist.com recaps information from Ten Technologies to Save the Planet, a new book by businessman and climate-change commentator Chris Goodall. Several of Goodall’s suggestions include:
- Wind power has the potential for providing 30 percent of the world’s electricity.
- Rather than building more efficient homes, existing homes should be renovated to be more energy efficient. A German movement plans to reduce energy use through methods such as insulating, replacing windows, and using improved ventilation in older homes.
- The second-generation of biofuels, those made from agricultural waste, are another promising option.
3. Install aids to help us change our ways. Another New Scientist report suggests that U.S. energy use can be cut if we change our behaviors. In addition, studies in United States, Dutch, and British homes reported that consumers could use appliances and equipment more efficiently with point-of-use messages to help us make the correct, energy-efficient decisions. Ways to receive those messages include home power meters (can help homeowners cut energy use by 10 percent), cell phone apps, or even a robot or messaging system that recommends correct behavior when using a piece of equipment.