Title: Energy efficiency
Course: Archive > Section: Energy saving

energy

Energy efficiency

Nearly all everyday products have an impact in terms of energy, especially when you consider their energy requirements across the whole life-cycle: production, use and end-of-life. In many cases the use phase is dominating. Plastics, for example, are one of the most resource-efficient materials available. In their use phase, plastics products help to save more energy than is needed to produce them. For example, when you choose a bottle of water packaged in a light weight material such as plastic, remember that lighter packaging requires less energy for transport. Thus, less fuel was used to power the truck that delivered those plastic bottles.

It can take a power cut to remind us how much we depend on energy. It is important not to waste it if we are to meet the world's growing energy needs. People from every country are trying to use energy more efficiently and to actively seek out new energy options.

Energy action

A day in the life ...

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide the same level of energy. It is therefore one method to reduce human greenhouse gas emissions. For example if a house is insulated, less energy is used in heating and cooling to achieve a satisfactory temperature.

How can we save energy?

Efficient energy use is achieved primarily by means of a more efficient technology or process. Energy efficient buildings, industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's energy needs in 2050 by one third, and help controlling global emissions of greenhouse gases.

Using less energy has lots of benefits – you can save money and help the environment. Generating energy requires precious natural resources, for instance coal, oil or gas. Therefore, using less energy helps us to preserve these resources and make them last longer in the future.

Why is it important to save energy?

If people use less energy, there is less pressure to increase the available supply of energy, for example by constructing new power plants, or by importing energy from a different country.

What can we do to save energy?

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

- Change your travel behaviour, think more in terms of public transportation, if possible, walk or ride your bicycle instead of taking the car
- Reduce your house heat, keep the windows closed while heating, dress warmly
- Choose products that come with lightweight packaging
- Turn off lights and appliances when you are not using them, or putting them into a ‘low-energy mode' after a certain time

- Use energy-saving light bulbs
- Reuse plastic bags for shopping and storage
- Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries
- Use smart meters to monitor energy usage

- Invest in an energy-saving computer, monitor and printer

- Unplug power adapters when not in use

- Reduce paper waste by deciding to go paperless

- Recycle items wherever possible

Household responsabilities

A guide to energy saving