Comments on: Energy Efficiency Versus Energy Conservation

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:21:43 +0000

Tom, you're absolutely
Tom, you're absolutely correct. Behavior is an important factor in conservation, and it goes beyond purchasing energy efficient appliances or small houses.

By: Tom Lansing

Tom Lansing — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:07:46 +0000

To add up, buying energy
To add up, buying energy-efficient products alone is not enough to reduce the consumption of energy. I think, discipline in using the appliances would add up as a factor too. Because no matter how energy-efficient your appliance maybe, if you still abuse the usage of it, the energy-efficiency defeats it's purpose.

By: Paul McGovern

Paul McGovern — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:00:20 +0000

Excellent post … perhaps
Excellent post … perhaps your best yet … compact, concise, insightful & well delivered

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:21:12 +0000

Ah, yes, the Jevons Paradox
Ah, yes, the Jevons Paradox does lead to greater and greater energy use. A finite planet, however, prevents us from doing that forever and ever. Jevons's Paradox may lead us into overshoot, but it can't keep us growing indefinitely.

As Kenneth Boulding said, "Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."

By: Alex Patriquin

Alex Patriquin — Wed, 26 May 2010 00:43:16 +0000

“We can’t keep growing,
“We can’t keep growing, expanding, and using more energy ad infinitum.”

True… but reading about Jevons Paradox today made me realize how hard it will be.

“In economics, the Jevons paradox (sometimes called the Jevons effect) is the proposition that technological progress that increases the efficiency with which a resource is used, tends to increase (rather than decrease) the rate of consumption of that resource.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox 

In other words, the more we conserve, the more we consume.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:37:34 +0000

Hello Allison, <
Hello Allison,

This is a great view of the past 3 decades. It is clear from your data, that even with the advances in equipment efficiencies and other efficiencies gained in the building process, we have not reduced our dependence, or need for the electricity. I also agree with you that with the growing push toward "plug-in" cars, which KB Homes is now offering an upgrade to have your garage wired and ready for a plug-in, the demand will surely rise which will take prices up by itself, even without any cap-and-trade legislation. I do hope this downturn doesn't get wasted with the opportunity to change. It is time for us to have what we need, save and use wisely what we buy, and care for the future by acting properly today. Our consumption society needs to take off the short-term goggles and realize that changes today will help make a better tomorrow.

Thanks.

By: Sam Bagwell

Sam Bagwell — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:53:31 +0000

Energy conservation is hard
Energy conservation is hard for all of us. We have been consumers for a very long time (at least 3 generations). You're right, energy efficiency alone won't cut it. We in the energy efficiency field will have to be examples of energy conservation.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:39:29 +0000

Good points, Alex. Especially
Good points, Alex. Especially with the Weatherization work that's been done in the past year and Home Star on the horizon, the energy efficiency dividend is an important issue. I think most of us, myself included a lot of times, make decisions based on short term thinking.

The problem with that now is that I believe we're about to see energy costs rise far higher than many people expect. The good news is that the economic downturn of the past few years has helped people go into belt-tightening mode. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I think the work we're doing to reduce energy usage in buildings is crucial because building are responsible for nearly half of all the energy consumption in the US. As our transportation system electrifies because of peak-oil induced high gasoline prices, that's going to put a big strain on our electricity grid and raise prices for the electricity we use at home.

I think the economic downturn has helped to make sacrifice a bit more palatable, mainly out of necessity, but still, it's a positive sign. We can't keep growing, expanding, and using more energy ad infinitum.

By: Alex Patriquin

Alex Patriquin — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:49:07 +0000

Also, one of the allures of
Also, one of the allures of energy efficiency to consumers is that they don't need to give anything up. Substitute versions of the same product exist that use less energy, and maybe cost a premium.

The message of conservation, by comparison, implies sacrifice, which is really really difficult for consumers to get behind. (They're called consumers for a reason ;)

Maybe the concept of an energy dividend can bridge this discord.

By: Alex Patriquim

Alex Patriquim — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:41:31 +0000

Hi Allison

Hi Allison

Great post. I really appreciate the " long view" perspective you've taken here. The idea of an effficiency dividend is compelling as both a personal and national agenda. If homeowners save thousands from performance retrofits, how are they going to spend it? Hope not by continuing to be SUVs, McMansions and, I would add, power-guzzling HDTVs. It begs the question: can policy makers and green marketers influence the purchase (or savings and re-investment) decisions that homeowners plan for energy efficiency dividends?