A greener future is the way to go, according to President Obama. As reported in the Washington Post, the president envisions a more energy efficient America by 2030:
The U.S. economy squanders too much energy. And the government can help wring out all that waste. That was one of President Obama's big ideas in his State of the Union last night.
"I’m also issuing a new goal for America: Let’s cut in half the energy wasted by our homes and businesses over the next 20 years," Obama said. The White House's fact sheet went even further, laying out a proposal to double the energy efficiency of the entire U.S. economy over that time frame.
So how, exactly, would this plan work? One clue is to look at the Alliance to Save Energy's big report on how to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030. The report notes that the U.S. economy is far less energy-efficient than many other industrialized nations, including Japan, France and Germany. Boosting efficiency could save money
and
curtail the carbon emissions that are warming the planet.
In fact, there have been some inroads made towards a more energy-efficient future. As the article notes, the Department of Energy has the authority to ask manufacturers to increase the efficiency of their electronic appliances. However, most of Obama's recommendations will require congressional approval, which will take considerable time.
Fortunately, most Americans seem to respond positively to actions that call for a more eco-friendly home—and are willing to pay for those extra measures. An increasing number of people are buying appliances with the Energy Star logo in them, and are eschewing more traditional lighting with more efficient lighting technologies like CFL or LED bulbs. Still, it's estimated that up to half of every home's energy consumption is spent on heating and cooling.
Your roofing system can considerably cut down on your energy bills. Check with roofing professionals how you may save on cost from your existing system, or get the details on the best of energy-saving
available in the market today. Many will offer “cool roofs” that deflect as much as 65% of the sun's heat, which translates to less work and energy consumption for your air conditioning system.
While legislation paving the way for energy efficiency for all is still some years away, it's heartening to know people are taking matters into their own hands. If you want to join this movement, consult with someone closer to home, such as your
company about energy-saving roofing systems.
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