Curious about which policies produce the greatest energy efficiency?
According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), here’s how it works out for 2014 (in quads).
|
1 |
Fuel economy standards for vehicles |
7.3 |
|
2 |
Appliance & Equipment efficiency standards |
5.3 |
|
3 |
3.8* |
|
|
4 |
Utility energy efficiency programs |
1.8 |
|
5 |
Building codes |
1.1 |
|
6 |
Federal R&D |
1.0 |
|
7 |
Energy Service Companies |
0.5 |
|
8 |
Federal tax incentives |
0.3 |
Note: "Quads" is short for quadrillion Btu – the US uses about 100 quads a year. ENERGY STAR savings are from 2013.
With President Obama’s landmark fuel economy increases just entering full force, these savings will grow substantially in coming years. Over 50 appliances and industrial equipment have benefited from efficiency standards.
ACEEE estimates that efficiency measures implemented over the last 35 years have cut US energy demand by about 58 quads.
There are still abundant, cost-effective opportunities that can bring down energy use another 40-60% by 2050. To get there, we must harness and transform markets, make efficiency a key strategy for utilities and expand local, state and federal policy support.
Read our articles, Energy Efficiency Has Penetrated Business Psyche and California Prepares for Net-Zero Energy Residential Buildings.
Read ACEEE’s report, Energy Efficiency in the United States: 35 Years and Counting:
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