Since Edison invented the light bulb, energy use in US homes has been on an almost constant upward trajectory. But now, analysts say, power use has leveled off and is expected to decline over the next decade, even as households are increasingly cluttered with devices such as cellphones, iPads, and high-definition TVs.
Why is energy consumption declining? It’s because of a combination of reasons, but most noteably because long term efforts to increase energy efficiency are paying off – throughout our economy.
Over the next 10 years, energy consumption is expected to fall 0.5% a year. Overall demand will still rise (that includes industry), but at just 0.7% through 2035, way lower than the average growth of 2.5% a year we’ve seen over the past 30 years, says the Electric Power Research Institute.
Some of the factors behind the change are:
- Compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs are replacing incandescent bulbs for lighting, which in residences accounts for up to 15% of overall energy use.
- New homes are much more energy efficient overall, since standards have tightened for insulation, windows, and heating and cooling appliances, dishwashers, TVs, etc. Refrigerators, for example, that used to consume 2,000 kilowatt-hours per year now use 500.
- People are intentionally using less energy because of the poor economy and high energy prices. It’s easier to turn off the air conditioner than shorten your commute.
- The federal stimulus program allotted $11 billion for programs such as weatherization and efficient appliances to retrofit older homes.
- 28 states have passed laws that require utilities to help customers use less energy by such things as rebates for buying efficient appliances.
The situation is similar for business and industry, which are also benefiting from much more efficient lighting, HVAC, motors, equipment and processes.
Smartphones and iPads, for example, make battery life a major selling point, and laptops have displaced less efficient desktops as the computers of choice. And widescreen TVs have become increasingly efficient since the early, power-hogging models.
These trends will continue, thanks to rising government standards: over the coming 20 years, refrigerators will be 29% more efficient, space heating 24%, and TVs and computers 22%. Energy use for lighting will be cut in half.
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