The United States has celebrated National Energy Awareness Month every October since 1991, when President George H. W. Bush encouraged our country to be conscious of our nationwide energy usage. We still honor this presidential proclamation today by promoting energy efficiency and renewable alternatives year-round and making a special effort to share our sustainable strategies with those we know during October’s National Energy Awareness Month.
In this article, we will guide you on how you can use energy efficiency and awareness to your advantage. Whether you’re looking to save money, protect the planet, or take a step towards reducing nationwide energy usage, everyone has something to gain from celebrating National Energy Awareness Month this October!
Why Do We Still Need National Energy Awareness Month?
Despite this annual awareness campaign and more energy-conscious electronics available on the market than ever before, the average American still uses more electricity than they did in 1991. This increase is especially apparent when measuring the energy used during the summer months (June, July, and August) from year-to-year – arguably the months when us Floridians use the most electricity.
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that the average American’s summertime electricity usage increased from about 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per person in 1990 to about 1,400 kWh per person in 2022 over the same 3-month period. While the planet’s warming due to climate change certainly has an impact on the amount of energy we need for cooling in the summer months, it’s clear that there is more we can do as individuals to reduce our electricity usage wherever we can.
What Can I Do During National Energy Awareness Month?
We’ve discussed why it’s important and how it came to be a nationwide effort, but now we call on you to act. Below are some steps you can take that lead to the biggest impact, regardless of your expertise:
Step One: Understand the Difference
Thinking about how to cut back on your energy usage can be overwhelming if it’s something you haven’t considered before – but you’re not alone! One of the first ways you can start tackling your energy burden is by understanding the difference between efficiency and conservation.
Efficiency is the term we use to describe technologies and innovations that have evolved to do a job faster, cheaper, etc. Efficient solutions to reducing your utility bills will include a device or item that you can use around your house to reduce your overall energy usage. Common examples include installing a faucet aerator or replacing old light bulbs with LEDs.
Conservation refers to our actions and choices we make that use less energy. Conserving energy often includes deciding to do something differently with the intent of using less energy in the process. Common conservation practices include turning off your ceiling fans and lights when you leave a room or washing your clothes in colder water.
Knowing this difference, you can better understand how to reduce your energy usage, and it makes the task a little less intimidating!
Step Two: Weatherize before Investing
The best investment you can make in your home doesn’t require much money – in fact, we recommend taking this step be
fore making any large investments in your house. Weatherizing your home ensures that any dollars you invest in a new A/C or windows, for example, stay in your home.
Weatherization is another term for sealing your home from the outside elements, however, it also helps keep your indoor air inside. A common example of the importance of weatherization can be seen when considering the purchase of a new A/C. Sealing drafts in your windows and around doorways before purchasing a new A/C will ensure that your energy bills will actually decline, and you’ll see a return on your investment much faster.
Step Three: Invest in the Best
Now that you’ve encouraged your household to adopt more conservation-focused behaviors and you’ve weatherized your home, it’s time to focus on how to make smart purchases for your household. Looking for ‘EnergyStar’ designations on any appliance that uses electricity is a great start whenever you’re
shopping, as EnergyStar-labeled products must pass a number of efficiency-based tests in order to receive this certification.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, products and technologies have also come a long way since our first Energy Awareness Month in 1991. It’s always a good idea to research what the newest available technologies are before making your purchase. There are plenty of efficient, EnergyStar-labeled tankless water heater on the market, for example, but heat pump hot water heaters can be even more efficient and draw on heat from your home. Taking all these factors into consideration and thinking about what your home really needs should help guide your decision-making the next time you need to make an appliance purchase.
Step Four: Empower Others
This strategy should help you start saving on your utility bills and make the task of reducing your energy use a little less scary. As National Energy Awareness Month is all about raising awareness for your energy use, we encourage you to share this knowledge with anyone you know! Helping others to save on their utilities helps everyone, both financially and socially.
Keep Learning this National Energy Awareness Month and Beyond!
This blog is designed to just be the tip of the iceberg, and now we hope you’re more interested and comfortable with the subject of energy use! If you’re eager to learn more about energy efficiency, conservation, financial incentives, utility assistance, and more, then check out the resources below!
- Read about how we’ve celebrated National Energy Awareness Month in past years!
- Check out our Eventbrite for upcoming sustainability classes and webinars!
- Browse our website for more information on financial assistance and incentives available locally in Sarasota County!
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