Energy Efficiency Can Make Things Better

Personally, I'm a bit of an idealist and believe that energy efficiency can put us on a better path as we move forward in time..... 



For the U.S. economy, energy efficiency solutions create the need for skilled local labor to provide direct service to energy using equipment that we use in our buildings every day. At the same time, energy reduction will help offset the energy consumption from the inevitable growing use of electronic devices; therefore reducing the need to invest in new expensive energy producing facilities that are often directly and indirectly funded through tax payer money. The energy efficiency industry will create job growth adding to more spending to the economy, while building energy conservation reduces individual and business "benefit-less" expenses lending to spending on investments with return. This will then help individuals, businesses, and the government to reduce debt and become a more sustainable society. (I suppose it should be noted that I don't believe energy efficiency is the silver bullet to cure all economic woes, but is a simple opportunity to play a big part in making an improvement)


For our environment, renewable energy resources will play a role in our sustainable energy portfolio. But energy efficiency will help reduce our need for excessive energy consumption. No matter the technology, energy production will require natural resources from coal to silicon. The procurement of these resources may not only produce carbon emissions, but more evident destruction of the natural world by strip mining mountains or adding mineral pollutants to food and water sources. For that reason, energy efficiency is the cleanest, safest solution for the new energy industry.

For the physical health of us all, energy efficiency goes beyond energy savings. It also lends itself to air quality and comfort. While air-sealing and weatherization keeps conditioned air from leaving the home, it also lends itself to keeping outdoor contaminants from entering the home. High efficiency heating and cooling equipment come with better filters to remove particles from the air, without restricting air flow. In addition new controls allow for more comfort with less stress, all while reducing energy consumption. (It could be debated that energy efficiency would have an impact on our health care system but I won't take it that far)

For the physical health of us all, energy efficiency goes beyond energy savings. It also lends itself to air quality and comfort. While air-sealing and weatherization keeps conditioned air from leaving the home, it also lends itself to keeping outdoor contaminants from entering the home. High efficiency heating and cooling equipment come with better filters to remove particles from the air, without restricting air flow. In addition new controls allow for more comfort with less stress, all while reducing energy consumption. (It could be debated that energy efficiency would have an impact on our health care system but I won't take it that far).

The bottom line is that in America, we expect a certain lifestyle of always improving the way we live. That may mean wanting to wear t-shirts in the middle of the winter, having the best home energy gadget, or leading the world in energy innovation. There are a lot of obvious opportunities to use our energy more wisely. Developing the energy efficiency industry will help benefit us as individuals and as a society.