by Michael L. Walker, PE, CEM, LEED-AP
Vice President, Energy and Environmental Services
It sure seems like every cause has its day. Just in October alone, there is National Get Funky Day, National Do Something Nice Day, National Taco Day, National Vodka Day, National Manufacturing Day…and the list goes on and on.
Well today, October 5th, 2022 is Energy Efficiency Day and it is a good reminder of the value of saving energy. The Energy Efficiency Day website’s tagline is “Save Money. Cut Pollution. Create Jobs.” And they provide further information on the day:
Energy Efficiency Day (the first Wednesday in October – Oct. 5, 2022) is a collaborative effort of dozens of energy efficiency advocacy groups around the United States, including the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Advanced Energy Economy, Alliance to Save Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations and many others.
The New Building Institute provides another summary of the Day’s purpose:
Since the inaugural Energy Efficiency Day in 2016, this annual awareness event has been supported by hundreds of prominent organizations, companies, government agencies and others. The goal is to share tips, tools and stories that promote the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, from lower costs to healthier homes. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest way to meet our energy needs, cut consumer bills and reduce pollution. Energy efficiency is also an economic engine, supporting over two million jobs nationwide in manufacturing, construction and other fields – most of which can’t be outsourced overseas.
The idea is to bring awareness of the value and importance of conserving energy. This can range from big projects that require a capital investment to turning off lights at home. The Alliance to Save Energy provides this list on how individuals can participate:
- Utilize natural air and light
- Turn down the heat
- Light it up with LEDs
- Pick smarter power strips
- Bring in an expert
- Double down on insulation
- See if you’re eligible for help
- Speak up for efficiency
This is not just an effort here in the United States. Across the globe, countries are promoting Energy Efficiency Day. The United Kingdom has an Energy Saving Week – October 17-23, 2022. The European Energy Efficiency Day first edition will take place on October 13, 2022 and includes a virtual conference.
The bottom line is that resource conservation in general is a very good thing. In fact, that was a focus at the beginning of the environmental movement many decades ago. Energy conservation has become prominent due to energy consumption’s impact on climate change. So perhaps if we all pitch in, we can have an impact and move closer to a healthier planet for everyone.
How Can We Help?
The EI Group, Inc. (EI) has been providing energy conservation assessment services for more than 15 years. We are also providing other sustainability services, such as, ISO 14001 and 50001 auditing and consulting, water conservation studies, ESG reporting, zero waste studies, and others. Should you have environmental questions or concerns, please contact Mike Walker, PE, Vice President of Energy and Environmental Services, at (919) 459-5245 or mwalker@ei1.com.