Energy Efficiency: The Heart of a Clean Energy Future
Life as we know it depends on energy.
We need it to run our cars, homes, businesses, and industries. We’re reminded of this when gas prices spike or when lights go dark during power outages.
Our energy use, though, can cause climate-warming pollution. We need to find a way to reduce climate impacts while keeping the lights on and the economy vibrant.
Energy efficiency can help do this.
It can transform how we use energy so that everyone benefits. It is often the least expensive way to cut harmful emissions. And it creates jobs and protects human health. That’s why it is the foundation—the heart—of a clean energy future.
What does energy efficiency do?
Creates jobs and boosts competitiveness.
Efficiency supports more than 2.2 million U.S. jobs —more than twice the jobs in the coal, gas, and oil industries combined. It cuts operating costs and helps U.S. manufacturers retain a global competitive edge.
Builds security and reliability.
By reducing total energy demand, we can limit energy imports, the impacts of rising oil and gas prices, and pressures on the power grid.
Saves money and advances equity.
Efficiency standards for appliances and equipment save the average U.S. household $500 each year. Energy-saving appliances and home upgrades particularly help low-income households, many of whom struggle to pay their utility bills and often have higher energy burdens (share of income spent on energy). Efficiency reduces those burdens.
Protects health and comfort.
Well-insulated homes and buildings keep out drafts and harmful pollutants, improving comfort and indoor air quality.
Reduces pollution and combats climate change.
By generating cleaner energy and using less of it, we avoid harmful emissions from burning fossil fuels. Everyone benefits, especially low-income households and communities of color that pollution and climate change disproportionately hurt.
Voices of Efficiency: Community Members Diane Taylor and Nikia Pickett
Credit: David Falconer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
What has energy efficiency accomplished?
Though invisible, efficiency is a remarkable success story. It gained traction after the 1970s oil embargo and has delivered impressive results. Consider this: From 1980 through 2021, in inflation-adjusted terms, the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) increased about 300% but energy use increased by only 25%.
Energy efficiency accounts for more than half of this achievement, with the rest coming from structural changes, such as a shift toward a more service-oriented economy.
Source: ACEEE
We can see the difference in our products. New refrigerators, for example, are now bigger but use 65% less energy than in 1980.
Voices of Efficiency: Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lisa Murkowski
