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Energy Efficiency - Why Energy Efficiency in the Southeast?

Why is energy efficiency so important?

  • The Southeast is the most populous and the fastest-growing region in the United States;
  • The Southeast has rapidly growing energy demand;
  • Energy efficiency investment per capita is the lowest in the nation;
  • Market penetration of efficient ENERGY STAR® labeled products is the lowest in the nation, and;
  • Potential economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency measures abound.

Population Growth

The Southeast region recorded 20 percent population growth in the past decade, making it the country’s most populous region today. Further, the Southeast is the fastest growing region in the United States (see Figure 1). In 2001, 511,161 privately-owned housing permits were issued in the Southeast—that’s 31 percent of the national total for that year! Energy-efficiency measures would help to offset the increased energy needed due to rapid population growth.

View Figure 1
Projected Population

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Projected Population Increases, October 1996

Current Energy and Efficiency Mix

The Southeast has among the highest per capita electricity consumption values in the nation (see Figure 2). It also has a much higher level of energy intensity—the amount of energy consumed to produce $1 of gross state product —than the national average. According to a report by the Renewable Energy Policy Project, without further energy-efficiency improvements, electricity consumption in the South is expected to grow by 45 percent from 2000 to 2020.

View Figure 2
Consumption

Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Midwest Energy Infrastructure Conference, November 2002

Despite its high energy usage, the Southeast region has the lowest levels in the nation for ENERGY STAR® market penetration and energy-efficiency spending per capita is just one-fifth of the national average.

Table 1: ENERGY STAR® Market Penetration
ENERGY STAR® appliance sales
as % of total sales in 2002
New England 33%
New York 31%
Northwest 29%
California 27%
Alaska/Hawaii 26%
Southwest/Rockies 25%
Mid-Atlantic 24%
Upper Midwest 23%
Lower Midwest 20%
South/Southeast 20%
Source: D&R International

Finally, the Southeast lags behind other regions of the country with assistance to low-income households to weatherize homes. Low-income families in the region also receive lower overall levels of support, relative to subsidies delivered in other regions, in helping to pay their energy bills.

Benefits of Efficiency for the Southeast

Studies show significant job creation and economic development are possible with energy efficiency. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) examined the link between economic development and energy efficiency in Illinois (report E982, 1998). The benefits they found included energy bill savings, job creation, wage increases, and the reduction of air pollutants.

Similar economic and environmental benefits can be projected for the Southeast region. With nearly half of the energy in the Southeast region coming from coal, energy savings like those projected for Illinois would significantly improve air quality.

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Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc.

During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south, east and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.

Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chimney. Also, close the fireplace damper when not in use.

ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while.

Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat to the lowest possible comfortable setting.

When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwave oven instead.

Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to save water

Replace your five most used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energy costs!

Only heat or cool the rooms you need - close vents and doors of unused rooms.

Use cold water for laundry and save up to $63 a year - detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.

Storm windows can reduce heat loss 25-50 percent during the winter.

To save on water, take five-minute showers instead of baths.

In summer, use fans to circulate cool air. And rememebr that fans cool people - not rooms - so remember to turn them off in unoccupied rooms.

Turn off office equipment over night and for extended absences to cut energy costs and improve longevity.

Seal and weatherstrip your windows and doors to ensure that you're not wasting energy heating or cooling through leaks to the outdoors.

Your water heater should be set at "warm", so that a thermometer held under running water reads no more than 120 degrees.

Check the furnance or air conditioner filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed.

Insulate ducts to improve your heating & cooing system’s efficiency and your own comfort.

Do only full loads when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.

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