Energy efficiency has been talked about for decades, with varying degrees of interest and success. In the past, either consumer interest was low because of affordable energy prices, or the technology wasn't available to allow consumers to continue their normal lifestyles. Slowly, over the last several years however, more attention has been focused on energy efficiency as prices have begun to rise and people have become more concerned about the environment.

Today technology allows energy-efficient applications and products to be virtually transparent to users.

Energy Efficiency Provides Many Benefits

• Energy efficiency saves consumers money. For instance, compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) last up to 10 times longer than typical, incandescent bulbs and use one-fourth less energy. That saves you $30 or more for each bulb you replace.
• Energy efficiency helps the environment. As consumers use less energy, less energy needs to be produced, helping decrease pollution.
• Energy efficiency helps utilities meet demand. With energy efficiency as part of their power portfolio, utilities can better manage and meet demand, reducing the power they need to produce. Investments in energy efficiency can also reduce the need to build new power plants.
• Energy efficiency investments help local communities. When businesses and consumers invest in energy efficiency, they spend money locally, at hardware stores, with builders/remodelers and HVAC dealers.