What's the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation?

Simply put, energy efficiency is a technological concern. Energy conservation is a human concern. For example, you can make furnaces and air conditioners more efficient by improving the technology that governs their operation. But people are responsible for turning the thermostat to 68 degrees instead of 75 degrees.

Yes, this is an oversimplification. But it makes an important point. Technology can take us only so far as we attempt to keep energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions down. People have to take responsibility for using the technology wisely.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

The focus on energy efficiency and energy conservation has been around for quite a while, at least since the 1970s when the oil crisis had gasoline and heating oil prices skyrocketing and cars lined up at the pump. A physicist named Amory Lovins introduced the idea of negawatts, which contradicted the notion that, to meet energy requirements, you have to generate more energy. He thought you could meet those needs by using energy more efficiently, not just providing more.

What's the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation?

From the technological point of view, making homes more energy-efficient is hugely important in reducing energy consumption. The steps toward greater efficiency can be pretty simple. For instance, you can exchange an incandescent light bulb with a fluorescent bulb and get the same light output for 13 watts that before required 60 watts.

Of course, your furnace and air conditioner use the most energy in your home, so they make good targets for action that can improve energy efficiency. One way to improve heating and cooling efficiency is to make sure your furnace and air conditioner are inspected each year and necessary repairs are made.

Another solution is to exchange your older-model furnace and air conditioner for a newer version. Today, manufacturers are producing units of very high efficiency that are able to pay for themselves in energy savings in a remarkably short time.

You can easily find out how energy-efficient a new furnace or air conditioner might be.

Air conditioners are rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The SEER is computed from the cooling output in British Thermal Units (BTUs) during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the season. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the air conditioner.

Furnace efficiency is measured in the percentage of fuel - for example, natural gas - that is turned into usable energy - that is, heat. Thus and 80 percent energy efficiency rating is better than a 70 percent energy efficiency rating.

Keep current furnaces and air conditioners in good condition and, when the time comes, replace them with high-efficiency models to save energy and money.

What's the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation?

In addition to models of the Sure Comfort air conditioner and the Sure Comfort furnace, Midwest HVAC Parts also sells Sure Comfort parts.

Energy Conservation: Why It's So Important

As someone that has to pay bills each month, you already know the importance of energy conservation. There is no way for you to have not noticed that your bills have been increasing. It has happened and is one thing that you just should consider doing. But, energy conservation is not always something that is on our minds. If you find yourself only thinking about it when the bills for the month arrive, then you may be missing the boat.

Why You Need To Know

Energy

Energy conservation is helpful in a number of ways to each of us. The most profound way that affects us directly is the cost. If you just turn off a few lights, you may not notice it. But, if you do several things to keep yourself in line with your energy goals, you may find yourself able to really save money here. Energy costs continue to rise and even if they slow down in that rise, they are not likely to come down. If you want to cut your bill down, then, you must use less energy.

Yet, there are other reasons for conserving energy as well. Consider, for example, the fact that one of the most vital fuels that we all rely on is that of oil. Some scientists believe that we will run out of oil within the next 60 years. Can you image the cost of your bills then? Still, consider the fact that many of these energy needs also produce toxins in the air. That makes them not only running out but also destroying the environment while they do it.

As you can see, there are many reasons why you, as a citizen of Earth should consider energy conservation in your daily life. Even if you just cut back slightly here and there, you will notice a difference in your bill but not necessary in your overall lifestyle. There are many benefits to taking care of the energy we use. It is a good thing for all of us to take into consideration as well. The end result is a result that satisfies everyone’s needs.

Find a few ways that you too can cut down on the amount of energy that you use. Challenge yourself to a few different limits. See if you can save just this month on your electric bill. See if you can conserve energy for your own and for the world’s well being.

Energy Conservation: Why It's So Important

Mark Justice has developed many websites over the years in many different business areas. He has a free Blog Energy Conservation. Visit his blog at: http://04mj.blogspot.com/

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Energy Conservation Efficiency - Advancements Made Over the Years

On the topic of energy conservation efficiency, there are many factors involved. For a system of energy production, say for instance, solar, geothermal, or hydroelectricity, there needs to be an efficient amount of energy output for the system to be cost effective. For example, decades ago it used to cost many thousands of dollars to have enough solar panels to produce enough "free energy", saving money on electric bills, which meant that the system would not be able to pay for itself until many years down the road. After much development however, these days the largely increased energy output of such devices as photovoltaic cells, along with their more efficient means of production and better quality materials in their construction, it is now much more cost effective to utilize these energy conservation systems for the benefit of saving our environment and our wallets. How much more efficient are such systems today? Let's examine this a bit...

Some leaps in the level of energy conservation efficiency have been made in the geothermal design of certain homes - this is when we use the heating and cooling qualities of the ground below the home in order to regulate temperatures of the air and water circulating within the house. With the Earth's ability to hold the warmth of the sun, it's sort of a "solar-geothermal" kind of system - we only need a means of transferring this energy through a medium to then convert it into usable energy. Through the use of pipes sent through the ground below the foundation of a house, and running water through them, temperatures from the ground can transfer to the running water within the pipes and be converted to electricity through the use of heat exchangers and heat pump generators. Having the air vent and circulate through spaces in the ground and between walls in the structure of the home can also replace the need for conventional heating and air-conditioning units.

Energy Efficiency

But in order for energy conservation efficiency to be beneficial, these ideas must be put into place and not merely studied. Many these days have taken it into their own hands to create their own energy conservation systems, such as building their own solar panels. In today's day and age, it's quite phenomenally cheaper to take on such a task than it was decades ago. Many have spent time on a weekend project building their own solar panels using one or two hundred dollars worth of materials, creating a single small panel that can power a home entertainment center, a desktop PC and a refrigerator all on the single panel. Developments through the years have made such undertakings largely more accessible to anyone and far more cost-effective to implement for home use.

Energy Conservation Efficiency - Advancements Made Over the Years

If you're interested in learning more about energy conservation efficiency and other things related to alternative energy, then you've got to check out the EcoPlusHome project.

Bryan Kenny and his family are an average North American family with one exception...they're living in the EcoPlusHome.

The EcoPlusHome is a prefabricated home powered by alternative energies like solar thermal, geothermal and photovoltaic. Bryan and his family will show the world that it is possible to live self sustained for a 12 month period by showcasing their journey living in the EcoPlusHome on their blog.

Bryan and his family welcome you to join their journey to self sufficiency on their blog http://ecoplushome.com/blog.

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