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Energy Efficiency - FAQs

What is Energy Efficiency?

Energy efficiency is the best way to extend our nation’s energy supplies. Energy-saving efforts can return economic, environmental, and quality-of-life benefits. Energy-efficiency solutions can easily reduce energy bills for many consumers and businesses by 20 to 30 percent. Some businesses have realized 60 percent reductions in energy use and costs.

Energy efficiency technologies and practices allow consumers and businesses to use less energy and save money without any deprivation. SEEA both promotes the use of energy efficient technologies and practices and advocates for energy-efficiency public policies.

Why energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is a quick and cost-effective way to make sure any region’s energy needs are met. Among its many positive attributes, energy efficiency:

  • Uses advanced and state-of-the-art technologies to provide better quality energy services with less energy;
  • Gets the most productivity from every unit of energy and eliminates waste; and
  • Provides comfort, profit, and convenience with less energy use, pollution, and total cost.

What are the technologies?

  • Insulation
  • Efficiency Windows
  • Efficient Appliances
  • Efficient Air Conditioning
  • Efficient Lighting
  • Efficient Fans and Motors
  • Efficient Furnaces and Boilers
  • Hybrid Vehicles

How to achieve energy efficiency?

  • Building Energy Codes
  • Appliance and Equipment Standards
  • ENERGY STAR® Products/Programs
  • Utility Demand-Side Management Programs
  • Public Outreach and Education
  • Renewable Energy/Distributed Generation
Latest Updates

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Renewable Energy in the South Report

Southeast Regional Energy Codes Needs Assessment

Best Practice Reports for Community Energy Efficiency Programs

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 reduce hot water use.

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 lost by single-paned windows by 25-50 percent during the winter.

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

In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of AC, and ventilate at night this way when practical. Fans cost less to use than AC.

Turn off office equipment during longer periods of non-use 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 system’s efficiency and your own comfort.

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

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