Energy Efficiency or EE means doing the same amount of work while using less energy. For example, an energy efficient washing machine provides the same service, laundry, but at a lower rate of energy consumption.
Energy efficient products include but are not limited to: electric cars, photo voltaic panels for solar electricity; solar water heaters, inverter air-conditioners, energy efficient bulbs, energy efficient appliances.
Energy efficiency is a growing policy priority for many countries around the world. It is widely recognised as the most cost-effective and readily available means to address numerous energy-related issues, including energy security, the social and economic impacts of high energy prices and concerns about climate change. At the same time, energy efficiency increases competitiveness and promotes consumer welfare.
Energy efficiency is not energy conservation. Energy conservation is reducing or going without a service to save energy. For example: Turning off a light is energy conservation. Replacing an incandescent lamp with a compact fluorescent lamp (which uses much less energy to produce the same amount of light) is energy efficiency. Both efficiency and conservation can reduce greenhouse gas emission.
