You’ve probably heard of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. But did you know that they can apply to energy, as well as objects?
When it comes to energy, the second R — reuse — is key to a sustainable future. By claiming and reusing energy that would otherwise go to waste, we can take a significant step toward better energy efficiency.
From solar photovoltaic technology to home energy storage systems, here are a few of the benefits of reusing energy.
Minimizing Waste, Maximizing Efficiency
As the need to shift toward renewable energy and away from polluting fossil fuels becomes clearer, the focus on improving energy efficiency grows. Given that more than 60 percent of every 100 watts of energy produced in the U.S. is wasted, that focus may lie not just in producing more energy, but in harnessing every bit of energy already produced.
Every time we cool a building, warm up water for a shower, or use an incandescent light bulb, energy is lost. If that wasted energy could be trapped, stored and reused, environmental consultant, it would boost efficiency and help move us toward a more sustainable future.
Reusing Energy: The Benefits
Homeowners who generate their own power using solar photovoltaic panels have already taken a giant step toward sustainability. Renewable energy, like solar, generates less waste and helps reduce a home’s carbon footprint.
Adding a home energy storage system increases efficiency even more. These devices store generated energy that’s not used, saving it for a cloudy day… or when a storm knocks out the power grid… or when exceptionally high demand causes a brown-out.
Using home energy storage means increasing efficiency using energy that would otherwise be wasted. It’s an ideal way to reduce, reuse and recycle.
