What is Energy Efficiency?

While energy efficiency encompasses all aspects of energy conservation from power generation facilities to the transmission and distribution process to the end user, Energy Efficiency Business Coalition (EEBC) focuses on this last stage. End-user energy efficiency (or demand side management) is the act of reducing consumption of electricity and gas through building improvements, mechanical and electric system upgrades, consumption and behavior education, as well as smart billing methods.

Energy efficiency speaks to how much energy is actually being used as intended. Energy efficiency means doing the most with a limited amount of energy and wasting the least in the process. EEBC and its members focus on the energy efficiency in this final end-user stage in the built environment.

Energy efficiency also includes demand side management, demand response, and smart grid solutions. At times, emerging technologies including building automation, electric vehicle charging, and customer engagement encourage or facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency solutions.