14 Most Vital Benefits of Energy Conservation
Despite all the global warming, air pollution, and enormous electricity bills, we still need to educate people and provide them with energy conservation tips. Life is funny, isn’t it?
Approximately 50 billion tons of greenhouse gases are emitted every year. You would be surprised to hear that 4 to 7 million deaths occur due to air pollution each year. All this could be prevented just by making the transition to renewable energy.
Energy consumption decreased 4% worldwide during the pandemic, but we have returned to our old ways in the past few months. Sadly, 84% of the world’s energy needs are met by fossil fuels.
We need to understand that apart from the financial and environmental aspects, cutting down on energy usage, using them judiciously & implementing renewable energy programs can potentially result in mental & physical health improvements.
There is a growing awareness among people worldwide about energy conservation, but many don’t understand its significance. When more and more people understand the gravity of the situation and implement energy-saving measures, it will bring about substantial changes. In this blog, we will discuss the innumerable benefits of energy conservation.
14 Advantages Of Energy Conservation
- Prevents depletion of fossil fuels
Humans are heavily dependent on fossil fuels for meeting energy needs, and at this rate, we will run out of fossil fuels by 2060. To prevent this from happening, we need to take some urgent measures. The availability of crude oil and fossil fuels is far less than discovering new resources, which means we will see them exhaust one day.
Another point we should keep in mind is that the countries with the largest reserves of fossil fuels/crude oil are politically unstable. Hence, total dependence on fossil fuels is not a good thing. This is one of the most vital reasons why we should conserve energy and not be at someone’s mercy later.
2. Reduced electricity bills
Everyone talks about saving energy, but what are the ways to save energy? With a few simple steps, you can save energy. Some of them are listed below.
- Adjusting your daily behavior
- Replacing your light bulbs
- Switch to smart power strips
- Installing a programmable thermostat
- Using energy-efficient appliances
- Reduce heating and cooling
- Opt for energy-efficient windows
- Upgrade your HVAC system
- Fix all electrical issues
- Turn off lights, fans & appliances when not in use
- Use low-flow showerheads and faucets
- Install solar panels
Energy-efficient appliances consume way less energy than conventional appliances without sacrificing quality. Make sure you make them a part of your household/business.
3. Increased ROI
Every 112 hours, 37 zeta joules of the Sun’s energy reach Mother Earth, which is almost equivalent to the combined energy of natural gas, oil, and coal reserves. Imagine what we could accomplish if we could tap even half of that energy to meet our energy needs. This is why we should not shy away from investing in energy-efficient appliances.
Don’t be scared by the initial cost of investing in energy-efficient appliances or technology. You can recover the initial investment in a few years while enjoying long-term savings.
4. Boost in property value
Energy-efficient homes have considerable demand in the real estate market. An energy-efficient home will command a higher price in the real estate market than a home with similar features minus energy-efficient features, every small detail matters. Moreover, homes with green certifications enjoy a higher selling price versus non-energy-efficient homes.
While house hunting, many homebuyers look for houses with energy efficiency features. Renewable energy usage shot up by 45% in 2020, but we still have a long way to go.
People think long-term. They know that energy-efficient homes mean lower electricity bills and fewer repair costs. Energy efficiency is a desirable feature, no matter what kind of residential property you purchase.
5. The refined quality of life
Through reasonable and proper energy use, you can improve your home’s comfort and experience remarkable health benefits. Implementing energy-efficient measures means your home will be warmer during winters and cooler during summers while ensuring optimal ventilation.
Smart, energy-efficient measures like these reduce the chances of illnesses, mould growth and prevent the build-up of indoor pollutants, especially in high radon emission areas. As per the research conducted by the World Watch Institute, buildings accounted for over 40% of the world’s energy. Through energy-efficient measures, you can enjoy enormous financial and health benefits.
When we talk about the financial benefits of energy-efficient buildings, they provide an impressive 4:1 cost-benefit ratio, and a significant proportion of these are health-related benefits.
6. Environmental conservation
With energy-efficient homes and buildings, we can reduce our carbon footprint to a large extent. Households consume 29% of the world’s energy and contribute to 21% of the carbon dioxide emissions. Heating and cooling combined are responsible for 441 million tons of carbon dioxide yearly.
By adopting environment-friendly and energy-efficient measures, households can reduce their energy consumption plus carbon footprint by 25 to 30 percent.
7. Continuous return on energy-efficient investments
Even the smallest of energy-efficient measures will yield financial benefits over time. The amount of savings you enjoy is directly proportional to the degree of energy-efficient investments. Switching to LED or XED bulbs will cost a few bucks only, but at the same time, the returns will be minimal as well.
However, major upgrades like roof replacement, attic insulation, HVAC system overhaul or smart lighting, fans, etc., can help you save thousands of dollars. When, where, and how much to invest is entirely your decision.
8. Shield yourself from soaring electricity prices
Electricity prices keep increasing, and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Apart from helping you slash your electricity bills, energy-efficient improvements protect you from the periodic spike in electricity prices without you having to compromise on your present lifestyle.
9. Fewer power plants
The construction of new power plants is seen as a good thing as they meet the urban energy requirements, but they also impact the environment negatively. First of all, they take up a lot of space which could be used for something else. Secondly, they contribute to sound and air pollution. Besides, installing solar panels and wind turbines is an expensive affair. Energy conservation ensures that nobody is deprived of it, thereby reducing the need to erect power plants or turbines.
10. Reduce habitat destruction
Energy conservation will help a great deal to prevent habitat destruction. Extraction of fossil fuels is achieved by employing a complicated and tedious process that involves destroying the habitat of numerous plant and animal species.
Excessive mining and drilling are hazardous to flora and fauna, plus the humans living in that area. Clearing vast areas of forests, displacing people is disturbing the balance of nature, which won’t end well for anyone.
11. Stabilizing energy prices
Conserving energy reduces the possibility of depletion of conventional resources in the near future. Enough supply ensures steady prices over an extended period or even reduced prices. Stable prices won’t disturb your household budget and make life more comfortable.
12. More time for research and development
Energy conservation measures allow researchers to research, innovate, and find newer alternatives and solutions to conventional energy that may be exhausted in the short run. Using fossil fuels wisely will ensure that they last long enough till alternative energy sources are developed/harnessed/discovered.
13. Bright future for the younger generation
Throwing caution to the wind and using energy unwisely is making things difficult for our future generations. Our children deserve a clean and sustainable future. By conserving energy, reducing global warming and pollution, we ensure a bright future for our coming generations.
14. Get more out of life
According to research, people spend over 76,500 hours or nine years of their lives on a smartphone. We are not even considering the amount of time spent on television, tablet, and other electronic devices. Why spend so much time on these devices when you can spend time with your family, pursue a hobby or explore the world.
In a nutshell…
People think that energy conservation is just the government’s responsibility, but that is a big misconception. Government can draw up rules, regulations, and measures, but people need to adhere to them. As good citizens, we need to make energy conservation a part of our daily lives.
Not only does energy conservation benefit the environment, but it also improves the lives of a country’s citizens. The more efficient buildings become, the lesser dependency on power grids and the increased investments.
Energy conservation is beneficial to residential and commercial property owners. Combined with solid initiatives and building upgrades, it can do a world of wonders. An excellent example would be energy conservation in TCI.
Electricity bills are a primary cause of concern for households as well as businesses. Devise an energy conservation strategy, plan it properly and execute it well. Do it for Mother Nature and our future generations.
