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Energy Efficiency 101

Help the planet, help your wallet!

 

Check out the easy energy efficiency actions below.

1

Switch to LED lights

Replacing old fluorescent and incandescent lighting with LED systems improve light quality and reduce heat gains. LEDs efficiency is up to 90% higher than incandescent lighting and 60% more efficient compared to fluorescent lighting.

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2

Say YES to eco-cycle for laundry

Although some eco-cycles are typically longer than standard cycles, they save energy and water. Many modern washing machines use technologies to ensure clothes are clean without extra water or heat and modern laundry detergents work just as well at low temperatures.

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3

Switch to efficient windows

Improve insulation by replacing single-pane windows with double pane windows, consider other elements to increase efficiency such as the frame materials, glass features, gas fills and spacers.

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4

Run your efficient dishwasher

Efficient dishwashers and modern detergents are designed to remove food without pre-rinsing. Running your dishwasher can save energy, water and time compared to doing the dishes by hand.

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5

Replace your old refrigerator with a new efficient and climate-friendly

Replacing your old refrigerator can help you save 60% of electricity consumption at home and up to 80% in your business, while also having more climate friendly refrigerants.

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6

Trust the temperature of your efficient refrigerator

Modern and efficient refrigerators have improved compressors, refrigerants, and insulation. There is no need to change the temperatures during hot days, efficient refrigerators are designed to preserve food the longest

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7

Use smart thermostats to automatically adjust temperatures

Programmable and adaptive smart thermostats can improve comfort and save energy by turning the heat or cooling off when they are not needed

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8

Buy or rent homes that are labelled efficient

(e.g., 5 Star, A+, ENERGY STAR, LEED Platinum or equivalent). Energy savings can help make mortgage payments while having improve comfort in your new home.

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9

Purchase or rent products with energy efficiency labels

(e.g. BEE STAR, A+++, Energy STAR, FIDE). Efficient air conditioners, televisions, fans, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators and other electronic devices can improve comfort and save money. 

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10

Conduct energy audits at home or business

Simple or complex energy audits can help identify energy efficiency opportunities. At home, you can do your own home energy assessment, while some utilities or governments offer free or low-cost professional energy audits

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11

Install occupancy sensors to automatically turn lights off and on

At home, in school or the office, sensors can save between 15-30% on energy costs for lighting

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12

Use smart meters in households and business

Smart meters allow you to measure your energy consumption and send this information to your energy supplier. This means that you will have more accurate bills and helps you understand and manage your energy consumption.

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13

Use reflective paint to keep the heat out

In business, schools, households and in vehicles, reflective paint can reduce up to 98% of the sun’s heat on your roof, walls and other surfaces. This reduces the need for air conditioners and improves thermal comfort. 

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14

Increase your insulation

More insulation can improve comfort and reduce energy bills. If you are updating your heating and cooling systems start by improving insulation first to reduce the size and cost of the system

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15

Use smart appliances and equipment or activate sleep settings.

Power management systems switch off appliances and equipment when they are not in use

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16

Regularly perform maintenance of heating and cooling

Repairing leaks and identifying damaged components ensures the system is working efficiently.

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17

Open and close your shades and curtains

Increase your thermal comfort and reduce energy use by controlling the direct sun through windows by opening and closing shades or curtains. External shades provide excellent reduction of direct solar gain, while internal curtains can act as an insulation barrier and shade to keep heat in during the winter and keep the heat out in the summer

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18

Install heat pumps powered by low-emissions electricity

Heat pumps used for heating and cooling, reduce household’s exposure to price changes of fossil fuels and are three to five times more energy efficient than natural gas boilers. Tip: Do not forget to improve insulation before

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19

Don’t forget to inflate your tyres on your vehicle

Check the appropriate pressure of your tyres periodically to ensure that under inflated tyres are not increasing your fuel consumption or posing safety concerns.

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20

Be aware of your vehicle’s aerodynamics

This includes not using roof racks in your car when you don’t need them, as they and other car attachments can increases drag and fuel consumption.

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Energy efficiency is related but different than:

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Energy conservation

Using less services to use less energy and is often a behavioral change. Examples of energy conservation includes turning the light off, even if light is needed, or by dimming the lights below the lighting lumens needed for the productive use or need for illumination.

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Energy sufficiency

Having the energy service you need without additional energy, typically by design. Examples include using natural daylight instead of an electrical light and turning the lights off when you don’t need them.

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Energy productivity

Gaining more service (or productive use) from the same amount of energy. Examples include providing more lumens of light with the same amount of energy.

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Renewable energy

Energy that is climate friendly and long term viable (sustainable) from renewable resources, ideally from multiple sources that can support hourly and seasonal variation in energy demand. Examples include small- or large-scale biofuels, geothermal, hydro, solar and wind energy sources

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Energy Efficiency

Using less energy for the same service, typically by design. Examples include having a lightbulb that uses less energy to provide the same light service & having sensors and smart switches that turn the light off when you don’t need additional light.

Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency

The term multiple benefits aims to capture a reality that is often overlooked: investment in energy efficiency can provide many different benefits to many different stakeholders.

Access to Energy

Energy efficiency can increase the services delivered by each kilowatt of electricity and improve energy access

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Air Quality

Energy efficiency can reduce both indoor and outdoor concentrations of air pollutants.

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Asset Values

Energy efficiency can increase asset values for homeowners, businesses and utilities

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Economic Benefits

Cost-effective energy efficiency improvements can have positive macroeconomic impacts, boosting economic activity

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Emissions Savings

Energy efficiency reduces GHG emissions, both direct emissions from fossil fuel, and indirect emissions from electricity generation.

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Employment

Energy efficiency can induce job creation, improve productivity and decreases employee absenteeism.

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Energy Prices

Energy efficiency can lower energy prices by reducing the need to add new power generation or transmission capacity and by reducing pressure on energy resources.

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Energy Savings

Energy efficiency reduces the amount of energy used to provide a service.

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Energy Security

Energy efficiency can reduce the reliance on energy imports and reduce the risks of supply interruptions.

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Health and Wellbeing

Energy efficiency supports physical and mental health with healthy temperatures, humidity, noise, and air quality.

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Household Savings

Energy efficiency can enable higher disposable income by lowering energy bills and other households costs.

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Productivity

Energy efficiency leads to productivity gains by lowering maintenance issues and optimising processes.

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The energy efficiency opportunity

Reduce energy expenses and deliver over 40% of the Paris Agreement

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Quick

Energy efficiency can be done today

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Local

Energy efficiency investment brings local jobs and local benefits

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Ready

Energy efficiency policy and technology solutions are available

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Beneficial

Energy efficiency brings social, economic and health benefits

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Significant

Energy efficiency can deliver over 40% of the Paris Agreement

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Cost Effective

Energy efficiency can cost-effectively support net-zero by 2030

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Energy Efficient Life

An innovative initiative designed to empower individuals to make energy-efficient choices and drive grassroots change. The campaign understands the power of language and emotions. While traditional climate messaging often relies on fear-inducing terms that can lead to inaction, this initiative focuses on the benefits and positive emotions of an Energy Efficient Life. 

Energy efficiency, unlike energy supply infrastructure, comes in small pieces – around the world there are millions of light fixtures, appliances, air conditioners, vehicles, cell phones, etc. It thus takes millions of choices by individuals and businesses to increase energy efficiency. The good news is that by harnessing the power of emotions that motivate individuals, countries and businesses, major shifts can occur. 

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Objectives
  • Shift the current energy efficiency narrative from sacrifice and limitations to positive and achievable lifestyle choices of empowerment, comfort, and improved quality of life. 
  • Infuse emotions to energy efficiency messaging.   
Activities

Energy Efficient Life Charrettes

To increase the diversity of voices shaping energy-efficient solutions, driving both individual action and positive policy change.

Energy Efficient Life Content

To create engaging digital content such as, videos, interview, infographics and more, highlighting the benefits and real-life experiences of energy efficient lifestyles.

Energy Efficient Life Challenge

To encourage youth to develop and share innovative energy- efficient solutions, scaling the most effective ideas to unlock the energy efficiency potential.  

We invite you to join our movement and embrace three key principles for an Energy Efficient Life:

1. Recognize the power of energy efficiency:

  • Acknowledge the role energy efficiency plays in tackling climate change. Understand that every choice makes a difference and has the potential to inspire far-reaching change.
     

2. Take Action:

  • Integrate energy efficiency in your daily decisions, no matter how small they might seem. Energy efficiency comes in small pieces and little things add up!
     

3. Inspire Others:

  • Share your energy-saving journey with friends, family, and your community. Show others the positive impact of energy efficiency and empower them to join the movement. Enthusiasm is contagious!
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Join the Energy Efficient Life Campaign

Worldwide Engagement in the Energy Efficiency Campaign
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Campaign Materials

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Energy efficiency life Ghana

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Energy efficiency life India

Available soon
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Inspiring an Energy Efficient Life – 2023 charrettes

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Campaign Resources

campaign resources
PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY LIFESTYLE AND DECISION-MAKING
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campaign resources
Mission Efficiency Playbook of Key Actions
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The Power of Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency may not be visible, but it has power.

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A targeted campaign that combines the power of emotions and reason, empowering decision-makers to unlock the power of energy efficiency. We create compelling messages focusing on the power of energy efficiency to: 

  • Facilitate renewable energy integration
  • Accelerate electrification
  • Enhance grid resilience
  • Power off-grid communities
  • Create new jobs for women and youth
  • Increase productive uses of energy
  • Fight inflation
  • Enhance energy security
Objectives
  • Infuse emotions into energy efficiency messaging, using data and evidence that demonstrate the benefits.
  • Influence decisions to foster policy changes and increased investments on energy efficiency.
Activities
  • Elevate energy efficiency in energy, climate and development agenda.
  • Create compelling messages and tools for decision makers.

Find out how you can support energy efficiency

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