Energy Conservation and Efficiency Differ, But They Go Hand in Hand

Energy costs continue to rise, and that’s a reality homeowners face every peak season, when energy use and costs are both at a premium. Keeping costs down for your Crawfordville, FL home will require a combination of energy conservation, energy efficiency and up-to-date equipment. It begins with understanding the difference between energy conservation and efficiency, since both are important for reducing energy use.

How Do Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Differ?

When you conserve energy, you’re reducing the amount of energy you use. A good example is turning down the thermostat.

Many people like a toasty home in winter time, but for every degree you raise the thermostat, you’ll also raise energy costs. By turning the thermostat down a few degrees, you’re conserving energy and cutting down on energy bills at the same time. The same principle applies (in the other direction, of course) during spring and summer with your air conditioner.

Energy efficiency focuses on obtaining the same level of service while reducing the amount of energy used. With your home HVAC system, for instance, it means replacing an older, inefficient system with a new, more efficient model. With the new unit, you can keep your home optimally comfortable while using less energy than the old system.

Using Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Together

If you’re looking to cut the amount of energy you use, you need to adopt both energy conservation and energy efficiency measures. That means replacing older equipment with newer, more efficient models while also adopting measures that cut down on the equipment’s use.

Replace an air conditioning unit and turn up the thermostat by a few degrees at the same time, for example. Install a programmable thermostat to replace an old manual one, and then program it to turn the heat down when no one’s home. Replace inefficient incandescent bulbs with more efficient CFLs, while turning the lights off when not in use.

If you want to learn how to use energy conservation, energy efficiency and modern equipment to lower energy bills, contact Central Heating Consultants. We provide service to households throughout the Crawfordville, Monticello, Quincy, Leon County, Gadsden, Jefferson and Tallahassee, FL areas.