Environmental Benefits of Energy Conservation

Energy Facts

If you live in a typical U.S. home, your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20% of your energy bills.

Reference: US Department of Energy

Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.

Reference: US Department of Energy

Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home.

Reference: US Department of Energy

You can reduce your home's heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 percent through proper insulation and air sealing techniques.

Reference: US Department of Energy

Amount of money that would be saved if the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings improved by 10 percent: $20 billion.

Reference: Energy Star

Amount of greenhouse gas emissions that would be reduced if the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings improved by 10 percent: equal to about 30 million vehicles.

Reference: Energy Star

Amount of global carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere in 2005: 6,000 million metric tons.

U.S. contribution of global greenhouse gas emissions: about 20 percent.
U.S. population relative to the world: 5 percent.

Reference: Energy Star

Reduced surface and ground water pollution

Extracting fossil fuels like coal and oil from underground disturbs and contaminates underground water supplies. This contamination pollutes the water and can render it unsuitable for human or animal consumption.

Reduction in land and wildlife disruption

The buildings, equipment and roadways necessary for extracting fossil fuels and producing useable energy are a significant disruption to wildlife and the natural environment. Habitat is diminished at the site of extraction as well as in the areas surrounding roadways and railways erected to transport the raw materials to where they will be processed and used.

Fewer opportunities for oil spills during transportation

The potential for oil spills is a well-known hazard of our dependence on fossil fuels. By reducing the amount of energy we consume we are also reducing the amount of oil that must be transported around the world.

References

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative-Renewable Energy Trust