What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency means using less energy to get the same or better results at reduced cost. Using less energy means reduced electrical demand, meaning power plants generate less electricity and fewer greenhouse gas emissions as a result.

Why is energy efficiency the first step toward carbon neutrality?

Energy efficiency is the logical, practical first step to reducing greenhouse gases. The less energy you use, the fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions you cause to begin with, which makes a shift to carbon neutrality a lot easier and more affordable. The average person causes the release of 1 ton of carbon dioxide for every 3,000 miles driven, 3,500 miles flown or 1,600 kilowatt hours of electricity consumed. And every ton of carbon dioxide emissions averted is as good for the environment as taking 2,300 cars off the road for a year.

What can one person do to increase energy efficiency?

Adjusting your thermostat and turning down your lights is a good start. More than 25% of all electricity is used for lighting. Just switching out your regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs could save up to $60 per year in energy costs. The bulbs are brighter and last a lot longer than regular bulbs. If every American home replaced their 5 most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, we would save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and together we’d prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars. Leaving computers and TVs on "standby" wastes another 7% of all electricity. TVs, computers, etc. draw energy even when the power is thought to be off. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, this "leaking" electricity is responsible for an estimated 45 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed by U.S. households each year.

What can a business or university do?

In addition to all the simple steps that can improve energy efficiency, a business or college can make significant gains in energy conservation on a grander scale by installing an energy management system, switching to more efficient lighting systems or replacing a chiller. But there’s more. A business or university can also deal in White Tags™ energy efficiency certificates.

What are White Tags™, and how can they promote energy efficiency?

White Tags™ are the newest form of energy brokering. Each represents one megawatt hour of energy savings. Sterling Planet introduced White Tags™ to the US market in 2006, giving organization a way to monetize their energy savings and convert them to a commodity that can be retained or sold in the mandated, voluntary markets or carbon markets. As a market maker, Sterling Planet helps clients achieve maximum value for their White Tags™, which can result in additional funds to drive even more efficiency. Learn more about energy efficiency under "what we do".

product content label

Much like a nutrition label, the disclosure label (also known as a Product Content Label or Power Content Label), shows a energy provider's generation type in a standardized format. The label may also include prices, terms of contracts with customers, air emissions and labor practices. Green-e requires all marketers to provide end-use customers with a Product Content Label. Some states also require standard disclosure labels.

renewables

This is environmentally preferable energy from infinite, renewable sources – the sun, wind, water and plants.