Energy conservation measure

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Main article: energy conservation

An Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) is any type of project conducted or technology implemented to reduce the consumption on energy in a building. These can come in a variety of forms: water, electricity and gas being the main three for industrial and commercial enterprises.

The aim of an ECM should be to achieve a saving, reducing the amount of energy used by a particular process, technology or facility.

ECMs are often implemented these are usually conducted by Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). This industry has been around since the 1970s and is more prevalent then ever today. The US-based organisation EVO (Efficiency Valuation Organization) [1] has created a set of guidelines for ESCOs to adhere to in evaluating the savings achieved by ECMs. These guidelines are called the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP).

A home energy audit is a way homeowners look at what areas of their homes are using, and possibly losing energy. Homeowners can hire a professional or do it themselves [2][3] or use a smartphone to help do an audit.[4]

List of Energy Conservation Measures

Windows

Windows may be one of the biggest contributing factors to energy loss and uncomfortable spaces.[5] Individuals might find some ECMs related to windows more cost effective than others such as thermal curtains, films, or Smart windows.

Lighting

One of the simplest ways consumers save a copious amount of energy is switching incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). A 15W CFL is capable of providing just as much light as a 60W incandescent, while consuming just one fourth of the amount of energy.[6]

  • Compact fluorescent lamp
  • Fluorescent bulbs
  • LED lighting
  • Linear fluorescent retrofit (T12 to T8)
  • Sky lights
  • Smart windows
  • Solar charged flashlight
  • Solar lights

Water

The average US homes wastes thousands of gallons of water a year.[7][8] There are many water saving solutions that also save energy.[9]

  • 1.6 GPM or less low flow showerheads
  • Ultra low flush toilet
  • Composting toilets
  • Faucet aerator

Insulation

Insulation decreases thermal losses in cold climates and thermal gains in hot climates thus reducing HVAC loads.

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References

  1. ↑ "Efficiency Valuation Organization". 
  2. ↑ Stephens, B. , Carter, E. , Gall, E. , Earnest, C. , Walsh, E. , et al. (2011). Home energy-efficiency retrofits. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(7), A283-a284.
  3. ↑ US government guide
  4. ↑ Patrick Leslie, Joshua Pearce, Rob Harrap, Sylvie Daniel, “The application of smartphone technology to economic and environmental analysis of building energy conservation strategies”, International Journal of Sustainable Energy 31(5), pp. 295-311 (2012). open access
  5. ↑ http://www.nfrc.org/documents/u-factor.pdf
  6. ↑ http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/cfl-vs-incandescent-battle-of-the-bulb
  7. ↑ http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/fixleak.html
  8. ↑ http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/04/home-water-waste-info-graphic.html
  9. ↑ Save water, save energy. (2002). Professional Safety, 47(11), 45-45. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.humboldt.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/200389992?accountid=11532
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