Energy efficiency measures saved US consumers and businesses around $800 billionlast year. That’s roughly $2,500 per capita.

The findings were made in a new report by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a non-profit organisation. It  also found ‘energy intensity’ – the amount of energy used per dollar – fell from 12.1 thousand British thermal units (Btus) per dollar in 1980 to 6.1 thousand Btus per dollar in 2014.

The report stated around 60% of the improvement in energy intensity during the 35-year period was due to energy efficiency. The other 40% was due to “major structural changes” in the economy. Even though US energy use edged up by 26% from 1980 to 2014, the US gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 149%.

The repost states: “While much progress has been made, there are large and cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities which by 2050 can collectively reduce energy use by 40-60% relative to current forecasts.”

Hai Nhy