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But the benefits go far beyond the bottom line. Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of sustainability, playing a vital role in reducing carbon footprints and supporting environmental goals, regardless of the economic climate.
A new perspective on household energy use
A recent global survey conducted by Schneider Electric highlights the shift in attitudes toward home energy efficiency. The report, which surveyed 13,000 people from 11 countries across the world, found that a significant majority( 84 percent) identified energy efficiency as their most desired home improvement, and 70 percent expressed that reducing their carbon footprint is important to them.
Often, the hardest thing to change can be people’ s attitudes, so it’ s encouraging to see more people acknowledging the importance of sustainable improvements. This may have been a result of rising energy costs in recent years, which acted as a catalyst to changing attitudes around energy efficiency. That said, the findings also reveal a disconnect. While small actions- like turning off lights or unplugging unused devices- are widely practiced, fewer people are taking highimpact actions. For example, the vast majority of energy usage in homes goes to heating and cooling, so adjusting the thermostat to an appropriate temperature can significantly cut down energy usage.
Clearly, there is an opportunity to close this knowledge gap and empower homeowners to make smarter energy choices.
The smartest action is to have the right temperature at the right time and place thanks to automation and control.
From awareness to action
Home energy use has a major part to play in global decarbonization, today accounting for around 20 percent of global CO 2 emissions. This makes energy management one of the most significant ways individuals can contribute to sustainability efforts. The challenge lies in how we heat, cool, and power our homes- often with inefficient practices that waste both energy and money.
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