| Something is energy efficient if it uses energy | | | | stated by the Vienna Climate Change Talks 2007 |
| efficiently. It can be used to refer to energy | | | | Report. |
| conversion efficiency which refers to the | | | | We can categorize energy conversion efficiency |
| proportion between the amount of input of | | | | into the subdivisions of electrical efficiency, |
| energy used in the system compared to the | | | | mechanical efficiency, and thermal or fuel |
| useful output. Useful output can mean either heat, | | | | efficiency. The first sub-category of electrical |
| mechanical power, or electrical power. Energy | | | | efficiency can be computed by measuring how |
| efficiency was brought to the attention of the | | | | much useful power output is created when |
| average person on the street mainly because of | | | | electrical power is used to power the system. |
| the 1973 oil crisis. Amory Lovins, a physicist, | | | | Mechanical efficiency, on the other hand, is defined |
| popularized the concept of boosting energy | | | | as the use of potential mechanical energy (such |
| efficiency rather than promoting heightened | | | | as water flowing from a river into a dam) to |
| energy production at around the same time. | | | | create mechanical energy. The last category |
| Lovins' idea has been expanded to apply to whole | | | | refers to the use of fuel to produce heat. |
| economies which are attempting to grow yet are | | | | In modern society, energy efficiency is used to |
| hesitant to spur energy production as well. One | | | | refer to the volume of power supply (such as |
| US state which has managed to integrate energy | | | | electricity) used by a certain system (let's say |
| efficiency policies into the daily activities of the | | | | your radio) to carry out its function (which is to |
| common man, industries and even the | | | | produce music over a certain period of time.) An |
| government is the state of California. In the over | | | | energy efficient radio would be one that can |
| 30 years since the mid-1970s when California | | | | produce good audio while using as little electricity |
| started adhering to strict energy usage policies | | | | from your electrical outlet as possible. A more |
| and programs, the state has been able to keep a | | | | thorough computation of the energy efficiency of |
| flat rate of energy consumption while the rest of | | | | your radio would mean factoring in running |
| the country has seen their energy consumption | | | | expenses and its expected lifespan as well. |
| double over that same time period. California also | | | | When you, the average consumer, takes steps to |
| prioritizes energy efficiency above all, with use of | | | | choose items that are more energy efficient over |
| renewable electricity supplies as its secondary | | | | items which are less energy efficient (such as |
| priority. | | | | switching to more fuel-efficient cars and selling |
| Despite the energy savings that can be achieved | | | | your gas-guzzler vehicle to the scrap yard), that |
| when systems become energy efficient, there | | | | is called energy conservation. Energy conservation |
| are still enterprises that are reluctant to set | | | | can be said to be successfully applied if you are |
| energy efficiency measures in place. It is believed | | | | able to reduce your usage of energy yet are still |
| that as much as 75% in savings on the current | | | | able to achieve the same level of functionality. In |
| electrical consumption in the US alone can be | | | | simple terms, if you use a more fuel-efficient car |
| reaped if efficient systems and measures were | | | | and can still get to work, but are able to use less |
| to be set in place and religiously observed. | | | | gas in the process, then you can say that your |
| Another side effect of using energy efficient | | | | attempt at energy conservation has been |
| systems is the corresponding decrease in real | | | | successful. |
| emissions without jacking up costs in the end, as | | | | |