Energy is arguably the most valuable non-human resource on the planet. When you consider that entire wars have been started over it, it kind of puts the need to be energy efficient into perspective, huh? On a note that hits much closer to home, even if you don’t care about geopolitical economics, wouldn’t you at least like to lower your utility bill?
One of the biggest living expenses is energy. Whether it’s fuel to keep our automobiles running or electricity to power our air conditioners and maintain optimum comfort in our homes, Americans spend around $4,000 annually in energy costs. With the need to save a buck, preserve our planet, and maintain world peace, it’s clear to see that energy efficiency is around for the long haul.
What is energy efficiency?
Almost everything consumes some energy, but not all of the energy consumed is put to work. In fact, most energy goes to waste even though you pay for it. Energy efficiency is the measure of how much of an energy source’s potential energy is actuated.
For instance, out of the fuel average automobiles consume, only between 25% and 50% goes towards operating the car. That means the range of energy efficiency of automobiles is between 25% and 50%.
It’s cheaper to maintain home comfort.
There aren’t many more powerful motivators than one’s wallet. It factors into every decision people make, from their political preferences to their favorite restaurants. It even affects how much people use their furnaces in the winter and their air conditioners in the summer. If you feel like you have to choose between air conditioning in your home and your children’s college education, one of the reasons could be that your heat pump is working too hard to maintain your home comfort.
You need an energy-efficient system to give you optimum comfort in the dog days of summer and dead of winter. Energy-efficient HVAC systems provide even heating and cooling throughout the home while delivering optimum comfort and more performance for your pennies.
There are better ways to decrease your waist size than to sweat profusely while binge-watching your favorite show. If your utility bills are more than you bargained for, but it seems like your HVAC system is only working part-time, then you should be ready to make the switch over to a new energy-efficient system.
Energy-efficient appliances are more reliable and durable.
One of the best things about energy-efficient appliances is that they tend to work better than older models. In fact, by their very nature of being created for energy efficiency, they work better. Homeowners with appliances with the government’s Energy Star symbol for energy efficiency not only use less energy but, because they don’t work as hard, they usually require fewer repairs.
There’s nothing like when you go out and get the best underwear for each body type in the family, and the washer and dryer conspire to pull a magic trick with the sizes. Energy-efficient washers and dryers apply the optimum water and heat levels to keep dad’s boxers from becoming boyshorts. Energy savings, fewer calls to the technician, and your spandex tights maintain their snug fit to your upper thighs, what could be better?
It’s better for the planet.
The average person doesn’t wake up or go to sleep thinking about their appliances’ seer rating and how it affects the planet, but it’s important. We only get one earth, and the more efficient we are with energy, the better it is for Mother Earth. Don’t just do it for the energy savings—do it to slow the rising ocean levels, help improve the air quality, because it could provide a great job opportunity for one or some of your descendants—and for the energy savings!
