Energy efficiency standards to save Americans US$1.1 trillion by 2035

National efficiency standards for appliances, lighting and other equipment will save consumers and businesses more than US$1.1 trillion by 2035, according to the report "The Efficiency Boom: Cashing In on Savings from Appliance Standards", by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP). A typical household will save about US$10,000 between 2010 and 2025 by purchasing products compliant with today's minimum standards.

To assess the potential impact of future standards, the report evaluates 34 products for which new or updated standards could be adopted within the next four years. New and updated standards that could be completed by 2015 would reduce 2035 electricity use by another seven per cent, the study found

The researchers found that existing standards reduced US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 200 million tonnes in 2010. They calculate that the annual reduction level will grow to 470 million tonnes by 2035, or roughly the output of 120 coal-fired power plants. It is estimated that new and updated standards would reduce 2035 GHG emissions by another 200 million tonnes, or the equivalent of another 50 coal-fired power plants.

Source: Environmental News Service, 12 March 2012