Energy efficiency means using less energy to perform the same function. Appliances and machines are energy-efficient when they use less electricity, water, or gas to accomplish the same task.
Why is energy efficiency important?
In California, energy efficiency and conservation are high priorities. A major goal is to actually save the amount of energy generated and used altogether. Sometimes we call this unused energy a negawatt a watt of energy thats never been produced because it was unnecessary. Avoiding the use of energy in the first place is the cleanest and least expensive option one watt never used is one that doesnt pollute. Thats why energy utilities prioritize energy-efficient technology and conservation practices, even over renewable energy sources.
How can I achieve energy-efficiency?
Technological innovation plays a big role in improving energy-efficiency. Many products available today are designed to be energy-efficient. For example, newer, compact fluorescent light bulbs use one-third of the energy of older, incandescent bulbs to light the same space. Energy Star-certified washing machines clean clothes as effectively as a less energy-efficient or water-efficient model, but with 25% less energy and 35% less water. Check out the featured pages below for other energy-efficiency ideas.
Source: http://www.energyupgradeca.org/en/learn/energy-basics/what-is-energy-efficiency
