In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Energy Use Intensity, why it’s essential, and how it can help you unlock smarter, more sustainable building operations.

What is Energy Use Intensity (EUI)?

When it comes to understanding energy efficiency in buildings, Energy Use Intensity (EUI) stands out as one of the most practical and revealing metrics. At its core, EUI helps quantify how much energy a building consumes relative to its size, offering a clear snapshot of its overall performance. But it’s more than just a number, it’s a tool that helps guide critical decisions around energy management, cost reduction, and sustainability.

As businesses and policymakers grapple with rising energy demands and mounting climate pressures, the importance of tools like EUI continues to grow. By shedding light on where and how energy is used, EUI empowers building owners to take meaningful steps toward improving efficiency and lowering their carbon footprint.

👉 In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Energy Use Intensity, why it’s essential, and how it can help you unlock smarter, more sustainable building operations.

To put it simply, EUI acts as a barometer for energy efficiency: the lower the EUI, the more efficient the building. This makes it an essential tool for architects, facility managers, and policymakers looking to optimise energy use and reduce costs.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a straightforward yet powerful metric that measures how efficiently a building uses energy. Specifically, EUI is calculated by dividing the total energy consumed by a building in one year by its total floor area. The result - typically expressed in kilowatt-hours per square meter (kWh/m²) or thousand British thermal units per square foot (kBtu/ft²) - provides a standardised way to compare energy performance across different building types and sizes.

EUI = Total Energy Consumed ÷ Total Gross Floor Area

For example, if an office building consumes 1,200,000 kWh of energy annually and has a total floor area of 10,000 square meters, the EUI would be calculated as:

1,200,000 kWh ÷ 10,000 m² = 120 kWh/m²/year

❗️ This calculation includes all energy sources powering the building, such as electricity, natural gas, and renewable energy. By standardising the comparison, EUI enables building managers to identify inefficiencies and benchmark performance against similar structures.

Site EUI: Measures the energy consumed directly on-site, such as electricity or natural gas used for heating and cooling.

Source EUI: Accounts for energy lost during production and transmission, providing a more comprehensive view of total energy impact.

Both metrics have their value, but source EUI offers deeper insights into the environmental footprint of energy use.

A brief video explaining what Energy Usage Intensity or EUI is
Transcript
Follow along using the transcript.

What is Energy Usage Intensity (EUI)?

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a practical tool that aids with sustainability, cost management, and building performance. Understanding why EUI matters can help building owners, facility managers, and policymakers make more informed decisions about energy use and efficiency. 

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Benefit</th>
      <th>Description</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Benchmark for Building Performance</td>
      <td>EUI serves as a standardised way to compare the energy efficiency of buildings, regardless of their size or function. By analysing EUI, building managers can identify whether a facility is performing efficiently or consuming more energy than necessary. This benchmark is especially valuable for comparing similar building types, such as offices or schools, to uncover best practices and highlight inefficiencies.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Reducing Environmental Impact</td>
      <td>Buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A lower EUI directly correlates with reduced energy use, which in turn helps to minimise carbon emissions. As governments and industries strive to meet net zero targets, EUI has become an essential metric for tracking progress and driving sustainability initiatives.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Lowering Operational Costs</td>
      <td>Energy costs represent a substantial portion of a building’s operational expenses. By identifying opportunities to reduce EUI, building owners can lower their energy bills while simultaneously increasing the long-term value of the property. For businesses, these savings can be reinvested into other sustainability or operational goals.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Enhancing Regulatory Compliance</td>
      <td>With stricter energy efficiency standards and building codes becoming the norm, EUI plays a critical role in meeting regulatory requirements. For instance, green building certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) often use EUI as a key performance indicator. Tracking and improving EUI can help ensure compliance and improve a building’s environmental credentials.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Attracting Tenants and Investors</td>
      <td>Sustainable buildings with low EUIs are increasingly attractive to tenants and investors who prioritise energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. A building with a lower EUI signals better operational efficiency and a commitment to sustainability, making it more competitive in the market.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>


Measuring Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a straightforward process, but accuracy is essential to ensure meaningful insights. EUI calculations rely on a building’s total energy consumption and its gross floor area, providing a clear picture of how efficiently energy is used.

Collect Energy Usage Data
Gather data on all energy sources used by the building over a one-year period. This includes electricity, natural gas, and any other energy inputs like district heating or renewable energy. Accurate metering and billing records are essential.

Standardise Units
Convert all energy consumption figures into a common unit, such as kilowatt-hours (kWh) or British thermal units (Btu). This step ensures consistency in your calculations.

Determine the Gross Floor Area
Measure the total floor area of the building in square feet (ft²) or square meters (m²). Gross floor area includes all enclosed spaces within the building.

Apply the EUI Formula
Use the formula to calculate EUI:
EUI = Total Energy Consumed ÷ Total Gross Floor Area
For example, if a school consumes 900,000 kWh annually and has a total floor area of 15,000 square meters, the EUI is:
900,000 kWh ÷ 15,000 m² = 60 kWh/m²/year

Analyse the Results
Compare your calculated EUI against benchmarks for similar building types. This helps determine whether the building’s energy performance is efficient or requires improvement.

Accurate EUI calculations often require tools and technologies designed for energy monitoring:

Smart Meters: Track real-time energy consumption across different systems.

Energy Management Software: Provides automated calculations, reporting, and benchmarking.

Utility Bills: While less precise, utility data can be used for rough estimates.

Timeframe: Ensure the data represents a full year to account for seasonal variations in energy use.

Energy Sources: Include all types of energy consumed, not just electricity.

Building Use: Adjust for any periods where the building was vacant or partially operational.

By following these steps and leveraging the right tools, EUI can provide actionable insights into a building’s energy efficiency, helping managers pinpoint areas for improvement and track progress over time.

While Energy Use Intensity (EUI) provides valuable insights into a building’s energy performance, a variety of factors can significantly influence the results. These factors must be considered to ensure fair comparisons and to identify meaningful opportunities for improvement. 

Different building types naturally have varying energy demands. For example:

Offices: Typically have moderate energy needs for lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and office equipment.

Hospitals: Often have high EUIs due to energy-intensive medical equipment and 24/7 operation.

Schools: Tend to have seasonal energy patterns based on academic calendars.

When comparing EUIs, it’s crucial to benchmark buildings within the same category to draw accurate conclusions.

The geographical location of a building plays a major role in its energy consumption:

In colder climates, heating requirements drive up energy use during winter.

In hotter regions, cooling systems like air conditioning contribute significantly to energy demand.

Buildings in extreme climates will naturally have higher EUIs than those in temperate zones, even with energy-efficient systems in place.

The number of people occupying a building and how they use it also affect energy intensity. For example:

Buildings with higher occupancy often require more lighting, heating, cooling, and equipment use.

Facilities with extended operational hours (e.g., 24-hour gyms or hospitals) will naturally consume more energy compared to those with standard hours.

Older buildings often have higher EUIs due to outdated construction techniques, poor insulation, and inefficient systems. In contrast, modern designs prioritise energy efficiency through features such as:

Smart building technologies that optimise energy use.

Renovating older buildings to improve insulation or upgrade HVAC systems can significantly lower EUI.

The way a building’s systems are maintained and operated can also influence EUI:

Regular maintenance of HVAC systems ensures they run efficiently.

Inefficient scheduling of lighting or heating can lead to unnecessary energy waste.

Implementing smart building controls can help optimise energy usage based on real-time needs.

Buildings that generate on-site renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, often achieve lower EUI values. While renewable energy doesn’t reduce overall consumption, it offsets the reliance on external energy sources, improving energy efficiency metrics.

👉 Understanding these factors helps building managers and stakeholders contextualise EUI values and prioritise actions to improve energy performance. By tailoring solutions to address specific challenges, it’s possible to make meaningful progress toward lowering EUI and enhancing sustainability.

Improving Energy Use Intensity (EUI) isn’t just about reducing energy consumption - it’s about optimising how energy is used while maintaining comfort and functionality within a building. Here are some practical strategies to lower EUI and achieve a more energy-efficient operation.

One of the most effective ways to reduce EUI is by investing in energy-efficient equipment and systems. Common upgrades include:

Lighting: Replacing traditional bulbs with LED lighting can significantly reduce electricity use.

HVAC Systems: Modern, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems consume less energy while providing better performance.

Insulation: Improved insulation and sealing can reduce heating and cooling demands.

On-site renewable energy systems can offset energy demands and reduce reliance on grid energy. Options include:

Solar Panels: Ideal for generating electricity in sunny regions.

Geothermal Systems: Efficient for heating and cooling buildings.

Wind Turbines: Suitable for areas with consistent wind conditions.

Integrating renewables not only lowers EUI but also reduces the building’s overall carbon footprint.

Smart technologies help monitor and optimise energy use in real time. Examples include:

Energy Management Systems: Analyse energy usage patterns and suggest improvements.

IoT Sensors: Automate lighting, heating, and cooling based on occupancy.

Smart Thermostats: Adjust temperatures automatically to avoid energy waste.

These technologies can help identify inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed.

4. Educate Occupants on Energy-Saving Practices

The behavior of building occupants has a significant impact on energy consumption. Simple changes can make a big difference, such as:

Turning off lights and equipment when not in use.

Setting thermostats to energy-efficient temperatures.

Providing training or signage to encourage energy-conscious behavior can help develop a culture of sustainability.

Energy audits provide detailed insights into how and where energy is being used, identifying areas for improvement. By conducting audits regularly, building managers can track the impact of upgrades and ensure energy-saving measures are maintained over time.

For older buildings, retrofitting is often necessary to achieve significant energy savings. Common retrofitting measures include:

Adding reflective roofing materials to reduce cooling loads.

While retrofits require upfront investment, they can lead to substantial reductions in EUI and long-term cost savings.

Approximately 30% of global energy consumption is attributed to energy used in buildings. Don't worry! Here are 7 practical methods to reduce energy usage in buildings, thereby cutting costs and promoting sustainability.

00:00-00:48 Measure Energy Consumption
00:48-01:26 Lighting Upgrade
01:26-02:04 HVAC System Retrofit
02:04-02:27 Better Indoor Air Quality
02:27-02:54 Building Management System
02:54-03:06 Renewable Energy Sources
03:06-03:38 Window Covers
03:38-04:15 Employee encouragement

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How to Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings?

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) benchmarks and standards provide crucial reference points for understanding and improving a building's energy performance. By comparing a building’s EUI against established benchmarks, facility managers and policymakers can evaluate its efficiency and set realistic goals for improvement.

EUI values vary significantly across different building types due to their unique energy demands. Based on data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program, here are some typical ranges for key building categories:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Building Type</th>
      <th>Source EUI (kBtu/ft²/year)</th>
      <th>Site EUI (kBtu/ft²/year)</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Bank Branch</td>
      <td>209.9</td>
      <td>88.3</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Financial Office</td>
      <td>116.4</td>
      <td>52.9</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>School</td>
      <td>104.4</td>
      <td>48.5</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hospital</td>
      <td>476.7</td>
      <td>234.3</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hotel</td>
      <td>211.9</td>
      <td>92.9</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Office</td>
      <td>193.7</td>
      <td>67.3</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Retail Store</td>
      <td>168.6</td>
      <td>52.9</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Supermarket</td>
      <td>547.2</td>
      <td>201.0</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>


High-performing buildings often achieve EUIs at the lower end of these ranges, while older or inefficient buildings may exceed them.

Several organisations provide standards and certifications that use EUI as a key metric to assess energy performance:

ENERGY STAR: This program benchmarks buildings in the US, offering an ENERGY STAR score that reflects energy performance relative to similar buildings. A lower EUI contributes to a higher score.

ASHRAE Standards: The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers sets guidelines for energy efficiency, often incorporating EUI in performance assessments.

LEED Certification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design uses EUI as part of its criteria for certifying sustainable buildings. A low EUI contributes to higher LEED ratings.

BREEAM: The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method assesses energy efficiency, with EUI serving as a critical measure of performance.

Buildings with advanced energy efficiency features, such as optimised HVAC systems, renewable energy integration, and smart technologies, typically achieve much lower EUIs compared to standard buildings. For example:

Geographic and climatic factors also influence EUI benchmarks:

Buildings in colder climates often have higher EUIs due to heating demands.

Buildings in temperate regions may achieve lower EUIs thanks to reduced heating and cooling needs.

💡 To provide meaningful comparisons, it’s essential to consider location-specific benchmarks when evaluating EUI. 

Understanding benchmarks and standards is key to assessing a building’s energy performance and identifying opportunities for improvement. Whether striving for compliance with industry certifications or aiming to outperform the average, using EUI as a benchmark ensures that energy efficiency goals are both measurable and actionable.

While Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a valuable metric for assessing energy performance, it’s not without its limitations. It’s important to be aware of these shortcomings in order to compensate for them through supplementary metrics and measurements. 

1. Lack of Context for Building Operations

EUI provides a snapshot of a building’s energy use relative to its size, but it doesn’t account for differences in how buildings operate. For example:

A hospital will naturally have a higher EUI than an office building due to the energy demands of medical equipment and 24/7 operations.

Two buildings with similar EUIs might have vastly different operational efficiencies if one is underutilised or operates fewer hours.

Without context, EUI comparisons can sometimes lead to misleading conclusions.

EUI measures total energy consumption, but it doesn’t differentiate between energy sources. A building using primarily renewable energy may have the same EUI as one relying on fossil fuels, despite having a smaller carbon footprint. This highlights the need to pair EUI analysis with other metrics, such as carbon intensity.

3. Oversight of Renewable Energy Generation

Buildings that generate on-site renewable energy may appear less efficient in EUI calculations because the metric doesn’t subtract the energy they produce from their consumption. For example:

A building with solar panels that meets 50% of its energy needs through on-site generation will still have the same EUI as a similar building without renewables, even though it relies less on external energy sources.

This limitation makes it crucial to use complementary metrics when evaluating green buildings.

EUI quantifies energy use but doesn’t reflect the quality or efficiency of the systems consuming that energy. For example:

A building with an inefficient HVAC system may have a high EUI but could improve its efficiency with targeted upgrades.

Similarly, two buildings with the same EUI may have vastly different occupant comfort levels if one has a poorly functioning climate control system.

5. Difficulty in Comparing Different Building Types

Comparing EUI across different building types, such as schools, shops, and warehouses, can be problematic. Each type of building has unique energy demands, making direct comparisons less meaningful unless they’re adjusted for function-specific benchmarks.

To address these limitations, EUI is often used alongside other metrics that provide a more complete picture of energy performance, such as:

Carbon Intensity: Measures the emissions associated with energy use.

Energy Cost Intensity (ECI): Tracks energy costs relative to building size.

Energy Balance Metrics: Focuses on whether a building generates sufficient renewable energy to offset its consumption over time.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is set to play an even greater role in driving energy efficiency and sustainability. With the rise of smart technologies, buildings can now leverage real-time monitoring and AI-driven energy management systems to optimise EUI dynamically, identify inefficiencies, and adapt energy use based on occupancy and environmental conditions. These advancements make EUI a more actionable and precise tool for achieving energy performance goals.

Transcript
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Greenly - The go-to carbon accounting platform for your business!

Understanding and improving your building’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is just one step toward achieving broader sustainability goals. At Greenly, we provide tailored carbon management solutions to help businesses track, analyse, and reduce their emissions effectively. Here’s how we can support your journey toward a greener future:

Emissions Monitoring: Our platform allows you to track Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions throughout your supply chain. This means you’ll have visibility over both direct emissions and those generated by suppliers, enabling you to make informed decisions that reduce your overall environmental impact.

Lifecycle Assessment (LCA): We help companies perform lifecycle assessments to understand the carbon footprint of their products from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This insight allows businesses to target the most carbon-intensive stages of their operations and implement strategies to reduce their impact.

Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies: By analysing emissions across the supply chain, Greenly helps businesses identify ways to engage with suppliers and encourage more sustainable practices. Whether you’re looking to lower emissions through improved resource efficiency or by sourcing from more environmentally friendly partners, we provide the insights needed to build a greener supply chain.

Decarbonisation Pathways: Greenly offers tailored action plans to help businesses achieve meaningful emissions reductions. From energy efficiency upgrades to renewable energy adoption, our platform highlights the most impactful steps for your organization.

Science-Based Targets: We help companies in setting and meeting emissions reduction targets aligned with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), helping businesses stay on track with global climate goals.

By partnering with Greenly, your company can improve energy efficiency, enhance supply chain sustainability, and reduce overall emissions - empowering you to build a more sustainable and resilient business. So why not get in touch with us today.

As global warming continues to impact our daily lives, more and more people are attempting to transition to machines and resources that promote energy efficiency. Is improving energy efficiency an effective way to reduce emissions and rising global temperatures?

All You Need to Know About Energy Efficiency

The extensive heat waves of this past summer and new climate bills  that have been approved depict how climate change is more of a threat  than ever before, resulting in more and more people attempting to alter  their daily habits to coincide with sustainability – such as energy efficiency. 

Does investing in energy efficient machinery help to reduce emissions, and ultimately aid in the fight against climate change? 

In this article, we'll explain what energy efficiency is, why it is important, the benefits of energy efficiency, and how your company can get started to improve energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency means to accomplish the same initial task  with less energy than used before. In other words, energy efficiency is  all about making do with less. 

Think of energy efficiency like making soup for four. Maybe you only have half a container of vegetable broth left, but still need to make the soup for four. What do you do? You can dilute the bottle of broth so that you still have enough  liquid to make the soup. In the end, you still made the soup for four people without needing to use as much broth. Energy efficiency strives to do the same thing.

Efficiency means getting more for less. If we are efficient with energy, we can enjoy the same levels of comfort or more, while using less!

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency measures strives to do the same thing, but instead of saving soup – you're reducing energy consumption all while looking to save energy, save money.

Some examples of energy efficiency projects include:

Energy Efficient Buildings – Improved home energy efficiency with renewable heating systems with a low carbon heating system, smart meter, renewable electricity to make your home more energy efficient.

Clean Energy Economy & Renewable Energy – Installing solar panels, energy efficient light bulbs, or gas boilers in place of an air source heat pump.

Improving Energy Efficiency via Government Support – Local council or government efforts to instill cost savings and reduce heating bills across the country, such as with the Energy Company Obligation in the United Kingdom which works to provides financial support to households to promote energy savings, more energy efficient homes, and ultimately reduce fuel bills.

💡 Energy efficiency projects will often seek to use renewable energy sources, reduce energy costs or energy bills, and improve all energy management systems whilst working towards net zero.

The demand for energy is increasing around the world. Energy prices are rising exponentially, and the demand for energy is beginning to outweigh the available supply – which is eliciting businesses and households alike to take new efforts in saving energy, improve their energy performance, and reducing their greenhouse gases. 

💡 This increase in energy demand is unsustainable and not good for emissions or the environment, as many companies will ignore the opportunity for renewable energy sources and seek to use fossil fuels instead – which create greenhouse gasses that pollute the planet. 

Energy efficiency is important as it helps to reduce the amount of energy used, make the demand equivalent to the supply, and reduce the cost of energy and ultimately mitigate the excessive use of oils or fossil fuels that create greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions.

👉 Ultimately, energy saving  and energy efficiency can help to benefit low income households, social housing, adding insulation to homes and help the Energy Saving Trust UK government program or the State Energy Program in the U.S. to meet their energy reduction goals and reduce overall emissions.

What are the benefits of energy efficiency?

There are a multitude of benefits to choosing energy efficient household appliances, energy efficient products, or anything that promotes energy efficiency and helps a clean energy future – such as by working to help existing buildings be more energy efficient, cut back on air pollution, and work towards net zero emissions. 

The immediate benefits of implementing energy efficiency are reducing your electricity consumption and saving money by lowering electricity bills, but there are more reasons to commit to energy efficiency. 

The primary incentive is the reduced monthly electricity bill that many with energy efficient appliances receive.

💡 The Energy Star label has made its name known and well deserved, as it has helped households and businesses to combat climate change, improve efficiency, and take a direct part in technological innovation to improve energy security and efficiency.

Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA – that aims to encourage energy efficiency. Appliances marked with the Energy Star label have reduced fossil fuels in the United States to the extent of taking twenty five million cars off the road. Unfortunately, as emissions are expected to continue to increase – Energy Star or energy efficient appliances will become more and more viable to reduce global emissions. 

The U.S. Department of Energy says that energy efficient appliances marked by Energy Star can cut both energy usage and your electricity bill anywhere between ten and fifty percent, depending on the size of your home. Eligible customers may even want to consider a home upgrade grant.

Additional benefits of seeking to use energy efficiency measures include:

Protect Human Health – When industrial facilities work to make their companies more fuel efficient and switch to the use of renewable energy, it can help to mitigate poor air quality and safeguard our health.

Address Energy Equity – Energy bills are continuing to skyrocket, but addressing energy efficiency can help businesses and families alike to cut back on the stress elicited as a result of paying for a pricey energy bill each month.

More Environmentally Friendly – Energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and the overall dependency on fossil fuels and oils.  

Boost Material Efficiency – Energy efficient appliances can help you get more done while using less energy. For instance, select Energy Star washer or dryer machines can help you wash more clothes in one load, or dry a load of clothes in a shorter amount of time. Basically, energy efficiency doesn't just help you to make do with less energy – but can even help you get more done with less energy. 

👉 All of these actions are beneficial to fight against climate change. In other words, installing an energy efficient appliance means you'll be doing your part to reduce emissions in the long run with next to no effort. 

What is the difference between conservation and energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency and energy conservation may seem like they’re the same thing, but they’re slightly different. 

Energy conservation is a method to reduce energy consumption by making do with less energy to accomplish the same task. An example of energy efficiency is an energy efficient washer-dryer, as the machine would clean the same amount of clothes as an older washer-dryer – but use less energy and water in the process.

💡 Energy conservation is attempting to prevent the use of energy, such as turning off lights when you leave the room or unplugging a phone charger when the battery is already full. 

Can energy efficiency help to reduce climate change? 

If an energy efficient appliance is functional and doesn’t ironically utilise unsustainable resources elsewhere, then energy efficiency can help to reduce climate change. Energy efficiency can be key to mitigate climate change, and in many cases – energy efficiency tactics have proven to be a cost effective manner to prevent further climate change while also reducing energy waste and lowering electricity bills. 

Climate change is happening as people and businesses around the world are creating excessive greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions. Electrical consumption contributes to the production of greenhouse gasses that pollute the atmosphere and raise global temperatures. Therefore, if we all strive to implement energy efficiency where we can – we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately, fight against climate change. 

We often use copious amounts of energy through the daily use of our household appliances without realizing it. It’s easy to unplug a charger or a lamp when not in use, but household appliances are often forgotten when trying to reduce electrical consumption – even though they are often the culprits of the most electricity use. 

What are the most common household appliances that use extensive amounts of energy, and are being remodeled for energy efficiency? 


Washing machines require copious amounts of not only water, but energy to do laundry – especially if they run on old technology. If you opt to buy an energy efficient washer-dryer, you could reduce your water consumption by nearly a third, and also cut your energy use by a quarter. If you can’t afford a new washing machine that promotes energy efficiency, try and only do one full load of laundry instead of several, small loads of laundry. Ultimately, no matter how many dirty clothes you pile into the machine – it takes the same amount of water and energy to clean them, so you might as well make the most of every load.

What’s an appliance that’s always running, 24/7 – no matter what?

Refrigerators are the only household appliance that are constantly in use, and therefore – could be subject to an extensive use of energy. If there’s one energy efficient appliance that you can afford, a refrigerator may be the best one to choose. Refrigerators exasperate copious amounts of energy due to their need for around-the-clock cooling and lighting, making them one of the most popular energy efficient appliances to purchase. 

Dishwashers don’t need to be replaced as often as washing machines or refrigerators, but their durability doesn’t mean that they are energy efficient. Since most dishwashers last for several years, it means that many of the dishwashers, perhaps even the one installed in your current home – uses several gallons per load. One solution to this problem is to buy an energy efficient dishwasher, but also – you can do your dishes by hand, but strategically. Don’t run the water while rinsing the dishes, but instead – fill the sink with water and wash the dishes with the water that’s already available. 

It may seem paradoxical, but air conditioners, despite cooling off your home – also use extensive amounts of energy. Especially in the summer as heat waves continue to get worse, air conditioning is becoming more and more essential and in turn – getting more expensive while also emitting more energy. If you’re going to pay to have air conditioning in your home, you may as well upgrade to an energy efficient air conditioning system. 

<!DOCTYPE html>
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<head>
    <title>Energy Efficient Appliances Comparison</title>
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    <h2>Energy Efficient Appliances Comparison</h2>
    <table>
        <tr>
            <th>Appliance</th>
            <th>Details</th>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>Washing & Drying Machines</td>
            <td>
                <ul>
                    <li>Washing machines use a lot of water and energy, especially older models.</li>
                    <li>Energy-efficient washers can reduce water consumption by nearly a third and energy use by a quarter.</li>
                    <li>Tips: Do full loads of laundry to maximise efficiency.</li>
                </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>Refrigerators</td>
            <td>
                <ul>
                    <li>Refrigerators run 24/7, making them significant energy consumers.</li>
                    <li>Energy-efficient refrigerators reduce energy consumption due to better cooling and lighting technologies.</li>
                    <li>Often considered the most beneficial energy-efficient appliance to upgrade.</li>
                </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>Dishwashers</td>
            <td>
                <ul>
                    <li>Dishwashers are durable but often use several gallons of water per load.</li>
                    <li>Energy-efficient dishwashers save water and energy.</li>
                    <li>Tip: Hand wash dishes without running water continuously to save resources.</li>
                </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>Air Conditioners</td>
            <td>
                <ul>
                    <li>AC units use a lot of energy, especially during summer heat waves.</li>
                    <li>Energy-efficient air conditioners reduce energy consumption and costs.</li>
                    <li>Upgrading to an energy-efficient AC system is beneficial for both comfort and sustainability.</li>
                </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
    </table>
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Why aren’t all household appliances made to be energy efficient if global warming is getting worse? 

It may seem simple to many: make all household appliances energy efficient from here on out, and the world will subconsciously, drastically reduce their energy consumption. 

However, it isn’t that simple. Energy efficient appliances are inevitably more expensive, and not everyone can afford to install one in the same way not everyone can afford to buy an electric car over a gasoline powered vehicle. 

👉 Eventually, all household appliances, electric vehicles, and commercial buildings should be made to be energy efficient. Unfortunately, installing energy efficient appliances is still subject to the individual homeowner – and it may be a while until energy efficient appliances become compulsory. However, it doesn't mean that you can't reduce your energy consumption in the meantime. 

You don't have to shell out the big bucks on an electric car or a new washer-dryer to promote energy efficiency. More often than not, electricity can be preserved in simple ways just by paying closer attention to your daily actions. 

💡 Energy efficiency is all about how you can use less energy to accomplish a task; reducing your electricity bill is just another plus in the process. 

Striving to turn off lights when you leave the room, or shut down electronic devices when they aren't in use is huge. Think about it this way, you're paying for the electricity in your home to be able to have lights on when the sun goes down, and to use your laptop. Do the lights need to be on in broad daylight, or when you leave the house? Does your iPhone charger need to remain plugged in when your phone battery is already full?

Little things like this can help to reduce your electrical consumption whilst still allowing the electricity you pay for to accomplish what you want it to do: power your devices and provide lighting in your home.

It’s important to think of anything that requires power. Things like air conditioning, heating, dishwashers, and washing machines take up a lot of energy too. You don’t necessarily need to buy a new, energy efficient appliance – but just use them wisely to optimise the amount of energy they use when you do use them. For instance, only do a full load of laundry once a week rather than several loads every couple of days – as both will use the same amount of water. 

These changes may seem trite, but energy efficiency doesn’t have to break the bank. Ultimately, to be energy efficient just means to be more mindful of how much energy you consume, and with a little practice – it’s something we all can do. 

If reading this article on energy efficiency has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

At Greenly we can help you to assess your company’s carbon footprint, and then give you the tools you need to cut down on emissions. We offer a free demo for you to better understand our platform and all that it has to offer – including assistance with boosting supplier engagement, personalised assistance, and new ways to involve your employees.

Click here to learn more about Greenly and how we can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

What are socially responsible investments, and why have they grown in popularity during the global cause for concern regarding climate change? Can socially responsible investments encourage companies to go green?

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI): All you Need to Know

In an era where global warming is impacting every region, company, and person on the planet – it’s inevitable that climate change  would impact finances, as well.

Socially Responsible Investing, otherwise known as SRI – is an innovative, careful method of investing that is attracting individuals, businesses, and global leaders  alike for its sustainable social and environmental values.

But why should an individual investor or company choose socially responsible investing over other types of investments?

👉 In this article, we'll explain what socially responsible investing (SRI) is, why socially responsible investors will benefit from SRI, and if a socially responsible investment strategy is right for your business. 

What is Socially Responsible Investing? 

Socially responsible investing, otherwise known as SRI – is a  type of social investment that pertains to social responsibility as the  companies or individuals that choose socially responsible investing usually have other goals besides finances in mind.

The acronym for socially responsible investing, SRI – stands for,  “sustainable, responsible and impact” investing, which illustrates the core values that socially responsible investing strives to encourage  investors to accomplish. 

The main goal for those who choose to commit to socially responsible investments is to be socially cognisant of your investments and how they can impact society, rather than prioritizing yourself or the company’s future financial return.

In this video, we discussed what is socially responsible investing or SRI, why it matters to make big impact on the world and how to become a sustainable or socially responsible investor. 

Basically, Socially Responsible Investing or SRI is choosing to invest in stocks that provide a financial gain as well as do social good. The companies are evaluated based on the ESG index: environment, social justice, and corporate governance.

Although socially-responsible investing is still up and coming in India, it is expected to gain greater momentum in the next few years. Companies have become more aware of the ESG factors and are looking to incorporate more of it into their business practices.

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What is Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)? [Making World A Better Place!]

Socially responsible investments are done by individuals or companies that seek social justice and equality in their investments. SRI strives to implement the principles of positive social effects on society in one’s investment patterns, and it has been growing in popularity ever since climate change has grown as a global cause for concern. 

👉 While SRI’s are aimed to help society, investors should remain aware that socially responsible investments are ultimately, still a financial  activity – and should remember to weigh the pros and cons of the potential investment for their future financial returns.

How does Socially Responsible Investing work?

Socially responsible investments work by weeding out the companies that manufacture, market, or condone selling harmful substances or activities such as alcohol, gambling, and smoking cigarettes. Through this sifting process, companies interested in making an investment portfolio can determine which businesses, projects, and organizations are committed to social equality and sustaining the environment. 

What is carbon accounting?