PTI Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines - Metropolitan ...

Energy Efficiency
Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is using less energy to meet the same need. Energy
efficiency is often referred to as the “first fuel” supply to tap when looking for new generation sources, since it is the
most cost-effective choice. Energy efficiency applications are relatively easy to understand. For example, insulating
a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature.
Many efficiency technologies, including light emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs), and
efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems—as well as the use of design elements such
as day-lighting, passive solar heating, and natural ventilation—reduce the amount of electricity needed to operate
facilities in all situations. In an emergency, efficient facilities require less backup power.
Lighting generally forms a significant part of a local government’s electricity budget, and the exciting and increasing
number of applications for LED lighting provide a way for major gains in efficiency. The efficacy (lumen/watt) of
currently available LED lighting ranges from about 25-45 lm/Watt, with efficacies of 50-100 already demonstrated.
In contrast, incandescent lighting is about 10-12 lm/Watt. LEDs, therefore, can reduce lighting expenses to one-half
or even one-quarter of the costs for incandescent lighting and one-tenth the cost is on the horizon.
In addition to energy efficiency, LED technology delivers longer lamp life than incandescent (25,000 hours rather
than 1,000 hours); lower heat output (reducing cooling loads) and improved durability. Applications of LED lighting
include traffic signals (one of the earliest uses), exit signs, accent lights, signage, outdoor lighting, residential task
and spot lighting, and store display cases—and the list is steadily increasing.
Certain LED lighting fixtures for the residential sector are ENERGY STAR® certified, and include under cabinet
lighting, desk task lights and outdoor pathway lights. Details on the specific lighting types and their performances
are listed on the ENERGY STAR website, www.energystar.gov/purchasing. Using this technology in the residential,
commercial and industrial sectors can lead to major energy efficiency improvements.
Energy-efficient technologies enjoy significant market share in many areas. For example, the sales of ENERGY
STAR-certified CFLs are doubling each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). Many communities purchase and/or sell CFLs along with their local utility in formal campaigns to raise
energy efficiency awareness. CFLs generally use around 1/3 the electricity of traditional incandescent bulbs while
lasting eight to ten times as long. Lighting can account for 60 percent of the energy consumed in commercial
buildings; much of this energy is used to cool spaces heated through the use of inefficient lighting.
Energy efficiency investments should be considered a cost-effective complement to investments in other more
traditional energy supplies. In addition to reducing the cost of day-to-day operations, energy efficiency programs can
prove effective in reducing peak electricity demand, lowering consumption when the power grid is most stressed, and
thereby reducing the likelihood of an outage. 12
12
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Examining the Peak Demand Impacts of Energy Efficiency: A Review of Program
Experience and Industry Practices, February 2007.
Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines – Version 2.0 | 21