Lesson 3: Energy Efficiency – Cole

If the goal is to use efficiency improvements to put the United States on a track to potentially use less power than today, there needs to be a cooperation between businesses, the government, and individuals. Governments can promote energy efficiency through a variety of programs and policies. Raising minimum efficiency standards for appliances, offering tax incentives on energy efficiency renovations, and raising energy taxes are some polices that the government can impose. The United States government already requires some appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers to meet certain efficiency standards. However fails to address other major household appliances in terms of energy efficiency. The government should raise the efficiency standards higher for the appliances already included in this policy and expand standards to other major household appliances to put the United States on a better track. Offering more tax incentives for replacing old windows, furnaces, insulation, door, etcetera, and other energy efficiency renovations, would be a another policy. This gives individuals and businesses “incentives” to increase the efficiency of their houses, buildings, or factories while using electricity. Another way of doing this and generating revenue would be to increase energy taxes. That will sure get individuals and business to cooperate and increase their energy efficiency.

I believe that energy consultation and servicing firms already have the potential to move with these types policies. To meet efficiency standards and save money by investing in renovations, individuals and businesses will have to consult with firms that are very knowledgeable in doing research and providing plans to meet with their energy efficiency needs.

2 thoughts on “Lesson 3: Energy Efficiency – Cole

  1. I really enjoyed your post and loved your ideas of a consulting business that has the knowledge and resources to get people up and running with a more sustainable energy portfolio. I also agree that the government could offer more incentives to help homeowners with the cost of updating their energy usage. I’m not sure I agree with deliberately increasing energy taxes. It seems as thought that is coercing the general population into compliance by simply raising their cost until they have no other choice but to comply. I doubt people would go willingly given that scenario.

    Thanks for sharing your ideas on this!

    Jennifer

  2. Hi it’s Kaity! I really enjoyed reading your post and couldn’t agree with you more. We have the capability and already produce many energy efficient appliances but we should only allow those appliances to be sold. I really like your idea about incentives for home improvement. Some people do really need the push to do a bit of an upgrade and an incentive could be just the thing to push people over the line and upgrade to energy efficient appliances. Great ideas!

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