With all of the focus on developing new energy sources to reduce American dependence on finite foreign fossil fuels it’s easy to forget that there is an easy, inexpensive, emissions-free way to increase energy availability: energy efficiency. The beauty of efficiency is that on some level we all have individual control over it; anyone who has saved money by turning down their heater thermostat can attest to this. On a national scale, it is estimated that the US could reduce energy consumption by 23% across all sectors by implementing a comprehensive efficiency strategy.
Although large scale savings through efficiency are indisputably achievable with current technology, there are many barriers to actually realizing this potential. An article in The Oregonian last week puts forth that even buildings that have had comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits often present many untapped opportunities for savings. The article also goes on to discuss the low uptake of efficiency measures, even when the home or business owner knows that the recommendations will result in net savings over a short time horizon.
The biggest reason most buildings that are designed or remodeled for efficiency aren’t reaching their full potential comes down to improper management and occupant behavior. Having a fully programmable HVAC system won’t save any energy if it is programmed incorrectly or set to manual controls. Likewise, efficient lighting and water fixtures can only save so much if they aren’t being turned off when they aren’t in use.
As for low compliance with energy/money saving recommendations, the author cites several factors including the low cost of energy in the Pacific Northwest, building occupants who don’t pay their own energy bills, and low commitment from building owners. Even when the building owner knows that insulating their roof, for example, will pay for itself and start saving them money over a few short years, there are always other interests competing for the owner’s attention and capital.
The Community Energy Challenge seeks to address and eliminate these barriers by providing financial assistance and guidance through every step of the process. In the Residential Program, a Home Energy Advisor serves as a personal consultant to the home owner, helping them choose the most cost-effective measures to complete, take advantage of all available financial incentives, and communicate with the contractors. Thanks to the high level of personal attention, 60% of homeowners who have received a home energy assessment through the CEC implement the recommendations.
On top of providing local businesses with an expert energy assessment, rebates and financing to buy down the cost of projects, and guidance throughout the process, the CEC’s Commercial Conservation Services tracks participating business’s energy use data to provide them with reports on how their actions affect their usage over time. This feedback, combined with the ongoing availability of expert guidance and public recognition of their efforts, helps business owners to see the real benefits of saving energy and provides motivation to continue working to make their facility more efficient.
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