Creating Jobs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\nRecently, the International Energy Agency announced the start of a commission for urgent action on energy efficiency. While this measure is mostly concerned with the health of our planet<\/strong>, there are many other benefits. If arguments about global warming, carbon footprint, rising sea levels and the apocalypse can\u2019t convince you, then perhaps actual cost savings<\/strong> will. Beyond just \u2018saving the planet\u2019, being energy efficient around your home or office will actually help you save money today.<\/strong><\/p>\nIn case you don\u2019t believe it, consider the report by the Department of Energy that estimates the average American spends $2,000 a year on energy bills. By being more energy efficient, up to 30% of these costs can be curtailed<\/strong>. It is also important to note the difference between energy conservation and efficiency. The former, conservation, is about cutting back on activities that conserve energy. Meanwhile, efficiency is about being able to do what you want without consuming too much energy.<\/p>\nReady to learn more? See our top 12 tips down below!<\/p>\n
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Why is Energy Efficiency Important?<\/h3>\n
All of our actions have consequences, and unfortunately most of our energy consumption has had a negative effect. You may not notice it<\/strong> while you\u2019re going about daily activities, but the effects are real. Most of the electricity is generated by fossil fuels like natural gas and coal, which both produce harmful emissions<\/strong>. Even nuclear energy leaves the problem of nuclear waste that has to be dumped into the ocean. Renewable sources of energy account for only about 20% of the power produced, which is an improvement but not nearly enough.<\/p>\nThese harmful emissions lead to global warming<\/strong> as they trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere. Furthermore, many of the emissions like nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide causes problems like smog, lung problems and even heart disease.<\/strong> That is even before considering other problems on the ground and the effects on nature and wildlife.<\/p>\nHowever, by becoming more energy efficient in our homes, there will be less demand from power from these sources, which means there will be less harmful emissions. In so doing, we can all contribute to making the planet more habitable, especially for us.<\/p>\n
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Top 12 Ways to be More Energy Efficient<\/h3>\n
It really is amazing how little it takes<\/strong> to be more energy efficient, and here are 12 ways you can start today:<\/p>\n