The push for energy efficiency is something that plays a role in everyone’s lives, but the size of that role varies across countries, states, cities, communities and across families.  I would like to share with you my perspective on the forces at play shaping your role.

Exposure to Levels of Energy Efficiency Programs in Other Countries

Energy Efficiency is a global issue and one that has been a concern for many years.  If you travel internationally to other Western countries, you will notice that they generally are further ahead than the U.S. in energy efficiency programs.  I recently traveled to Melbourne, Australia and was surprised to see how in some areas, half the homes have solar panels on their roofs.

In the United States, there has been an ever-increasing amount of paid and unpaid media targeted towards awareness and education surrounding the negative effects from greenhouse gases, global warming, and burning fossil fuels.  Even if you do not indulge in all the media, it is hard to completely discount the importance of making sure our world is livable for generations to come.

Growing Number of Days Celebrating an Energy Efficiency Cause

Media exposure includes a growing number of days celebrating some energy-related cause.

What you notice from the list of events is that over half started after 2000.  It would not surprise me to see even more days of celebration added before the end of the decade.

As we are shaped by media exposure, we all struggle with how we can continue our lifestyle and make a difference to curb the bad things that are harming our ecosystem.  As with many of you, it seems like every waking hour I am doing something that negatively impacts the planet.

The EASY Button to Becoming Part of the Solution

At the center of Energy Efficiency in the U.S. is the ENERGY STAR brand that is owned and managed by the EPA.  If a product carries the ENREGY STAR logo, it performs at a higher efficiency level than that same product without the ENERGY STAR logo.  Also, newer ENERGY STAR products are more efficient than older ENERGY STAR products because the standard is regularly increased.

As a retailer, you understand there are different customer types.  If you know a customer drives an EV or has solar at their home, they are willing to invest (through paying more) in ENERGY STAR products.  Younger college-educated customers tend to be more passionate about finding ways to support energy efficiency and ENERGY STAR products are a great start.

Milestones Reached in the U.S Related to Energy Efficiency

As you work with customers and want to show your awareness of key milestones outside of ENERGY STAR that support the sustainability story, here are some key nuggets to help you and to celebrate:

• 96% of new U.S. power plants in 2024 will be clean energy
• S. EV sales increased by 47% in 2023 with a forecast of 50% in 2024
• Over 2000 public EV chargers were installed in the U.S. in 12 months
• Battery prices hit record lows in 2023
• S. power plant emissions and pollution fell significantly last year
• S. electricity prices increased slower than inflation this last decade.

To cap this off, let us look at the cost of various fuel sources that are used to power the generation of electricity.  Please see the table below.  You will notice a steep drop in the cost of wind and solar over the past six years.  By contrast, the cost of fossil fuels has been on the rise.

In closing, I encourage everyone to be part of the solution and lean into the ENERGY STAR products that help drive sustainability.  Learn more about the amazing facts and spread the good news about how to reduce energy expenses and reduce carbon emissions.