Download to read offline
Principles of Energy Efficiency_ Doing More with Less
- 1. Principles of EnergyEfficiency Doing More with Less A comprehensive guide to sustainable energy practices November 26, 2025 Energy Efficiency Solutions
- 2. What is EnergyEfficiency? Energy efficiency is about achieving the same outcome or service using less energy. It's not about doing without, but about optimizing how we use energy. Think of it like this: An LED light bulb provides the same amount of light as an old incandescent bulb, but uses significantly less electricity to do so. Old Incandescent Bulb Less light, More energy New LED Bulb Same light, Less energy The same outcome with less energy input Principles of Energy Efficiency | 2/22
- 3. Why Energy EfficiencyMatters Now Rising Demand Global energy demand rises, putting pressure on resources and contributing to climate change. Building Impact Buildings account for 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% of GHG emissions. Climate Goals Achieving ambitious climate goals requires doubling the energy intensity improvement rate. Energy Consumption in the European Union Buildings (40%) Other Sectors (60%)
- 4. The Negawatt Revolution Whatis a negawatt? A watt of energy saved rather than produced. The cheapest energy is the energy we don't use. The most cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy is often far cheaper than generating new energy, even from renewable sources like wind and solar. Saved Energy Costs less than generating new energy Reduces demand on resources Generated Energy More expensive, even from renewables Requires infrastructure and resources Principles of Energy Efficiency | 4/22
- 5. Principle 1: BuildSmart from the Start Local, Low-Energy Materials Prefer salvaged materials Choose natural state materials Avoid energy-intensive materials Preferable: Wood, stone, brick, glass Appropriate Sizing Design buildings no larger than needed Smaller buildings require less material Share walls to reduce energy use Benefits: Less material, less energy Renovation over New Construction Renovate existing buildings Minimize embodied energy Reduce material consumption Result: Leanest approach Principles of Energy Efficiency | 5/22
- 6. Principle 2: TheBuilding Envelope The building envelope acts as the primary barrier between interior and exterior environments, crucial for minimizing heat transfer. Reduces energy loss Maintains comfort Controls moisture R-Value Principles of Energy Efficiency | 6/22
- 7. Principle 3: PassiveSolar Design South-Facing Orientation Buildings should have their largest face oriented towards the south, within 20 degrees. Generous South Glazing South-facing facades should have ample glazing for heat gain during heating seasons. Minimal Other Orientations East, West, and North facades should have minimal windows for daylight and ventilation. Appropriate Shading Shading devices block direct sunlight during cooling season, especially for south and west-facing glass. South Primary Energy Gain West Minimal Windows East Minimal Windows North Minimal Windows Principles of Energy Efficiency | 7/22
- 8. Principle 4: ThermalMass as Energy Storage Thermal mass refers to materials that can absorb, store, and release heat. It acts like a thermal flywheel, moderating indoor temperature swings. In heating climates: Stores solar gain during day and releases warmth at night. In cooling climates: Absorbs heat during day, releasing it when cooler night air vents. Effective materials: Masonry, Thermal Mass D Day N Night Masonry Water Phase Change
- 9. Principle 5: NaturalVentilation Systems Natural ventilation uses natural air movement to cool buildings and improve indoor air quality. Cross-Ventilation Prevailing Wind Design buildings with openings on opposite sides for wind-driven airflow Effectively removes heat from the building Chimney Effect (Stack Ventilation) Warm Air Rises Cooler Air Enters Below Utilizes warm air rising to create airflow Effective for cooling thermal mass, especially at night Principles of Energy Efficiency | 9/22
- 10. Principle 6: Designfor Adaptability Energy-efficient buildings are designed for long-term sustainability, accommodating changing needs over time. Construction Occupancy Renovation End-of-Life Key Adaptability Features Century-Long Durability Build foundations and structures to last a century or more, accommodating different users over time. Material Reusability Use materials that can be easily reused or recycled at the end of their useful life. Flexible Components Design movable components that can adapt to changing needs over daily, seasonal, and yearly periods. Principles of Energy Efficiency | 10/22
- 11. High-Efficiency HVAC Systems HowHeat Pumps Work Heat pumps transfer heat rather than generate it, making them significantly more efficient for both heating and cooling. Efficiency Improvement Products meeting new M1 standards are approximately 7% more efficient than previous standards, even with only a 1 SEER rating increase. New DOE Efficiency Standards (2023) The DOE introduced updated metrics and testing procedures to more accurately reflect real-world conditions. SEER2 Measures full-load cooling efficiency EER2 Measures part-load cooling efficiency HSPF2 Measures heating efficiency Principles of Energy Efficiency | 11/22
- 12. Smart Building Technology Smarttechnologies leverage sensors, communication, and controls to optimize energy use. Smart Building System Smart Home Energy Monitors Track & control energy usage, enabling automation. Smart Thermostats Learn user patterns, optimize heating/cooling based on occupancy. Internet-Connected Appliances Integrated into smart home systems for optimized energy efficiency. Smart Plugs and Power Strips Convert appliances to "smart" for remote control and phantom load reduction. Smart Motion Sensors Turn lights and appliances on when occupied, off when empty. Smart Windows Change tint in response to electrical signals, reducing heating/cooling energy loss. Principles of Energy Efficiency | 12/22
- 13. Advanced LED LightingSolutions LED lights use less energy and have longer lifespan than incandescent or CFL bulbs. 85% Less Energy Compared to traditional bulbs 25x Longer Life Than traditional CFL bulbs Annual Benefits 569 TWh energy saved 92 power plants equivalent $74 billion in cost savings Traditional Bulb Shorter lifespan, Higher energy use LED Bulb Longer lifespan, Lower energy use Projected LED Adoption By 2035, 84% of all lighting will be LEDs
- 14. System-Level Optimization System optimizationlooks at how components work together, rather than just replacing individual parts. System optimization considers how different components interact and function together. Component replacement alone yields minimal savings (less than 5%). Principles of Energy Efficiency | 14/22
- 15. Waste Heat RecoveryTechnologies Industrial heat pumps capture and upgrade waste heat to useful temperatures using a small amount of energy. 12 quads of thermal energy used in U.S. manufacturing (2018) 7 quads lost as waste heat Recovering this energy boosts efficiency and reduces costs The Waste Heat Recovery Process Industrial Processes Heat generation Heat Recovery Capturing waste heat Heat Pump Upgrading energy quality Valuable Energy Ready for reuse Principles of Energy Efficiency | 15/22
- 16. Economic Benefits ofEfficiency Energy efficiency creates a cascade of economic benefits: Long-term Cost Savings Lower energy, water, and maintenance costs Higher Property Value Energy-efficient buildings command premium prices Energy Independence Reduced dependence on volatile energy markets By 2030 -$520 Billion in savings and 24M clean energy jobs
- 17. Environmental Impact Reduction 10% Globalefficiency improvement 1.5 gigatons Emissions reduction annually 292 million homes powered off-grid Additional Environmental Benefits Reduced Air Pollution: Fewer pollutants from power generation Water Conservation: Reduced water needs for cooling Resource Conservation: Reduced strain on finite resources Principles of Energy Efficiency | 17/22
- 18. Health and GridSecurity Benefits Health Benefits Energy-efficient buildings create healthier indoor environments: Better insulation and ventilation Improved natural lighting Key Health Impact: 20% reduction in asthma triggers Grid Security Benefits Energy efficiency strengthens energy infrastructure: Reduces overall electricity demand Lowers peak loads on the grid Enhances national energy security Saves the electricity industry $15 billion annually through demand response programs Principles of Energy Efficiency | 18/22
- 19. Policy Drivers andRegulations Inflation Reduction Act Extends tax credits for clean energy property Increases ITC to 30% for solar PV, wind, heat pumps Provides tax credits for energy-efficient equipment Passed August 2022 DOE Minimum Efficiency Standards Updated metrics: SEER2, EER2, HSPF2 Revised test procedure (Appendix M1) Products ~7% more efficient than previous standards Effective January 1, 2023 State EERS Policies 26 states + DC have EERS policies Accounts for 80% of utility efficiency savings Includes GHg reduction targets As of 2023 Principles of Energy Efficiency | 19/22
- 20. Benchmarking and CertificationSystems Energy Performance Certificate Energy Consumption Info on building energy use and efficiency Indoor Temperatures Recommended thermal comfort levels Climatic Factors Consideration of external climate conditions Reference Values Comparison against legal standards Improvement Recommendations Cost-effective investments for energy performance Energy Performance Certificates provide transparency and encourage competition in energy performance. Informed Decisions Inform tenants about running costs Awareness Raise awareness about efficiency Upgrades Drive building upgrades Incentives Tax exemptions for efficient buildings Principles of Energy Efficiency | 20/22
- 21. Your Role inthe Efficiency Transition Individual actions drive collective impact. You can make a difference through: Home Upgrades Energy-efficient appliances Improved insulation Smart home technologies Workplace Initiatives Energy audits Smart building solutions Energy-saving habits Policy Support Engage in energy policy discussions Support efficiency initiatives Advocate for sustainable practices Together, our individual actions create a collective impact that accelerates the transition to a sustainable, energy-efficient future. Principles of Energy Efficiency | 21/22
- 22. The Path ForwardTogether Energy efficiency offers the cheapest and cleanest energy resource, requiring integration of design, technology, and policy. Design Smart building principles and passive strategies Technology Innovative solutions and system optimization Policy Supportive frameworks and certification systems The collective effort to embrace energy efficiency will pave the way for a sustainable future. Principles of Energy Efficiency | 22/22 Thank You