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| Efficiency | ||
| Appliance Type (Examples only – see Energuide) | Power Rating (Watts) | Energy Usage (per Hour, Day or Cycle) |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | 6,000 | 5 kWh per dry cycle |
| Gas Clothes Dryer | 6,00 | 500 Wh per dry cycle |
| Vertical Axis Electric Clothes Washer | 1,200 | 720 Wh per wash |
| Hi Efficiency Clothes Washer | 3,00 | 250 Wh per wash |
| Dish washer ‘normal cycle’ | 1,500 | 800 Wh per cycle |
| Dish washer ‘eco-dry cycle’ | 600 | 300 Wh per cycle |
| Microwave Oven (1.5 cubic feet) | 1,500 | 1.5 kWh per hour |
| Microwave Oven (0.5 cubic foot) | 900 | 0.9 kWh per hour |
| Espresso/Cappucino Maker | 1,200 | 300 Wh per cycle |
| Toaster | 1,200 | 150 Wh per cycle |
| Hair Dryer | 1,500 | 200 Wh per cycle |
| Television – 50 inch hi definition | 160 | 160 Wh per hour |
| Television – 32 inch colour | 140 | 140 Wh per hour |
| Computer “Tower” | 60 | 60 Wh per hour |
| Laptop Computer | 20 | 20 Wh per hour |
| 15 inch Monitor | 100 | 100 Wh per hour |
| 15 inch Flat screen monitor | 30 | 30 Wh per hour |
| Laser printer (print mode) | 600 | 600 Wh per hour printing |
| Inkjet Printer (all modes) | 30 | 30 Wh per hour |
negawatts?
Efficiency advocates suggest that deep cuts in our every day consumption are achievable in a relatively short timeframe via compulsory adoption of efficiency technologies that are currently available. They suggest that 75 – 90 percent reduction in energy use is achievable in a relatively short timeframe (30 - 50 years), and hence call for demand side management campaigns, in contrast to integrated resource planning. This is sometimes referred to as the soft energy path, and often comes with the catchphrase ‘negawatts not megawatts.’
rebound effect
Trouble is, more efficient devices allow for the invention and commercialization of more energy efficient devices. Despite the millions of dollars that have been poured into informational and appliance trade-in campaigns nationwide (and internationally), we aren’t using any less energy. Turns out that improvements in energy efficiency mean a reduction in the cost of using energy, which can lead to a rebound of higher levels of aggregate energy consumption.
take responsibility
This doesn’t absolve us of our responsibility to make better energy consumption choices. In our quest for a sustainable energy system, we must both implement measures to conserve energy and we need to manage our resources better simultaneously. Some will even argue that the first (or even both) can be cost effective.
rebates and incentives
Commercial Building Incentive Program
Energy Retrofit Assistance Funding
Industrial Energy Audit Incentive
US Tax Breaks
Database of US Incentives by State
resources
NRCan: Department of Energy Efficiency
US Department of Energy Efficiency
Energuide Program
Energy Star
Appliance Guide
Not So Big House
cleanair
Smartliving
Eneract
Rocky Mountain Institute
RMI Commerical Efficiency Publications
Green Building and the Bottom Line