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Sparking Energy Efficiency to Safeguard Our Earth

APTIM specialist Dawn Ellerd shares how energy efficiency programs play a pivotal role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Dawn Ellerd | Marketing and Outreach Lead
APTIM | Energy Solutions
Dawn.Ellerd@APTIM.com
Dawn Ellerd is the Marketing and Outreach Lead for the Energy Smart New Orleans program, where she focuses on promoting commercial and industrial offerings to business customers. She joined APTIM in 2019 with an extensive background in marketing and advertising, leading marketing campaigns for a variety of industries ranging from Quick Service Restaurant to telecommunications. Learn more about Dawn.

 

 

Energy efficiency is a critical yet complex approach to solving climate change. Our team at APTIM provides solutions from source to switch.

Mother Nature is at her breaking point. Record high temperatures around the globe indicate we are depleting our natural resources. Climate change is happening.

An essential tool in the fight against climate change is energy efficiency. By optimizing energy usage and minimizing wasted resources, energy efficiency programs play a pivotal role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Homeowners, industries, and businesses all have an opportunity to curb energy consumption to promote a more healthy, secure, and sustainable future. Below are some solutions to mitigating our collective energy footprint.

Incentives and Rebates

Governments and utilities offer financial benefits to individuals and businesses to encourage the adoption of energy-saving technologies and practices. These incentives and rebates aim to decrease overall energy demand and, consequently, carbon emissions. As an example, rebate programs for energy efficient appliances and equipment incentivize replacing old and inefficient refrigerators, air conditioners, and lights with ENERGY STAR certified ones.

Energy Grid Solutions

Energy efficiency programs use demand-side management strategies and tactics to shift energy use away from hours when peak demand is high. This decreases the load on the grid and lessens the need for additional power generated from fossil fuel-based plants.

By reducing overall demand, efficiency programs also create room for more renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Renewable sources produce little to no emissions during operation, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

Building & Transportation Upgrades

Building upgrades may include retrofitting for better insulation, energy-efficient windows, and advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to decrease energy loss through the building envelope.

Transportation can be improved with more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, hybrid technologies, and public transportation. See more transportation solutions here.

Behavior Change Solutions

Promoting energy-conscious behaviors, such as turning off the lights when not in use, adjusting the thermostat up or down depending on the season, and unplugging appliances when away from home, creates notable energy savings and a broader culture of conservation.

Additional Benefits of Energy Efficiency

  • Stimulating Economic Growth and Job Creation: Investments in energy-efficient technologies generate demand for skilled workers in construction, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. When energy consumption is reduced, it also lowers utility bills, freeing up funds for other activities and investments.
  • Health Improvements: Making homes and businesses more efficient also lowers the release of air pollutants associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease—two causes of premature death and rising healthcare costs.
  • Energy Security: Reducing our dependency on fossil fuels reduces vulnerability to fluctuating global energy prices and geopolitical tensions. Additionally, it alleviates risks associated with energy shortages, especially during peak demand periods.

Energy Efficiency Solutions with APTIM

As a leader in sustainability and energy solutions, APTIM provides comprehensive energy efficiency services. Our team deeply understands the key drivers of the utility industry, and we customize our offerings to help our clients succeed. APTIM serves as program administrator, implementer, and planning consultant for more than 100 utility demand-side management offerings, and we issue more than $75 million in utility-funded incentives each year.

APTIM. In Pursuit of Better.

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Learn more about APTIM's energy efficiency programs.

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