ensa:energy_saving

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ensa:energy_saving [2025/12/08 13:15] – Dave Darbyensa:energy_saving [2026/04/15 15:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Energy saving+This topic is part of [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. 
 +====== Energy saving ======
  
  
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-## What is energy saving?+===== What is energy saving? =====
  
 It’s reducing overall energy use, and our individual contributions to that, by reducing consumption, changing behaviours and buying more energy-efficient goods. It’s not about the source of our energy – i.e. renewables vs fossil fuels vs nuclear etc. - it’s about reducing the amount we use. It’s reducing overall energy use, and our individual contributions to that, by reducing consumption, changing behaviours and buying more energy-efficient goods. It’s not about the source of our energy – i.e. renewables vs fossil fuels vs nuclear etc. - it’s about reducing the amount we use.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/global-fossil-fuel-consumption.png) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/global-fossil-fuel-consumption.png)
 <caption> <caption>
- Global fossil fuel consumption is rising relentlessly despite energy efficiency improvements.+ _Global fossil fuel consumption is rising relentlessly despite energy efficiency improvements._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 But possibly the most important thing to understand is that energy saving measures alone can’t reduce overall energy use, because of… But possibly the most important thing to understand is that energy saving measures alone can’t reduce overall energy use, because of…
  
-### The Jevons Paradox+==== The Jevons Paradox ====
  
 In the 19th century, a certain [Mr. Jevons](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts/do-energy-saving-measures-actually-increase-overall-energy-use) noticed that James Watt’s steam engine, which was much more efficient than Newcomen’s engine, and was therefore supposed to save coal, had instead resulted in a massive increase in coal use. He realised that this was because coal became relatively cheaper to use, so people used more of it, and it caused the economy to grow overall, so everyone had more spending power, so they bought more stuff, which required more fuel to produce and transport, and so on. In the 19th century, a certain [Mr. Jevons](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts/do-energy-saving-measures-actually-increase-overall-energy-use) noticed that James Watt’s steam engine, which was much more efficient than Newcomen’s engine, and was therefore supposed to save coal, had instead resulted in a massive increase in coal use. He realised that this was because coal became relatively cheaper to use, so people used more of it, and it caused the economy to grow overall, so everyone had more spending power, so they bought more stuff, which required more fuel to produce and transport, and so on.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/mr-jevons.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/mr-jevons.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Mr. Jevons.+ _Mr. Jevons._
 </caption> </caption>
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 - In the US, the efficiency of air conditioning is improving all the time, but now more energy is used for air conditioning [than was used for everything in 1955](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/the-efficiency-dilemma)! - In the US, the efficiency of air conditioning is improving all the time, but now more energy is used for air conditioning [than was used for everything in 1955](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/the-efficiency-dilemma)!
  
-You get the idea. So what’s actually happening here is that efficiency helps the economy to grow, which results in more energy and materials used overall. Energy saving only works in the context of a [stable, non-growing economy](/stea/steady-state_economics).+You get the idea. So what’s actually happening here is that efficiency helps the economy to grow, which results in more energy and materials used overall. Energy saving only works in the context of a [stable, non-growing economy](pgec:post-growth).
  
 <WRAP center centeralign> <WRAP center centeralign>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-radiator.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-radiator.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Installing a reflective sheet behind a radiator means that more heat will be reflected back into the room.+ _Installing a reflective sheet behind a radiator means that more heat will be reflected back into the room._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-In fact none of the technologies or activities on this site will help bring about a sustainable society as long as global GDP is perpetually growing. This isn’t a pessimistic position – just a realistic one. [Stabilise the global economy](/stea/steady-state_economics), and then we can begin to see some light at the end of the tunnel. You won’t find mention of the Jevons Paradox on government advice sites of course, as all states are committed to eternal GDP growth.+In fact none of the technologies or activities on this site will help bring about a sustainable society as long as global GDP is perpetually growing. This isn’t a pessimistic position – just a realistic one. [Stabilise the global economy](pgec:post-growth), and then we can begin to see some light at the end of the tunnel. You won’t find mention of the Jevons Paradox on government advice sites of course, as all states are committed to eternal GDP growth.
  
  
  
-## What are the benefits of energy saving?+===== What are the benefits of energy saving? =====
  
-So, (bearing in mind that these benefits are not happening, and can only happen in a stable economy), first and foremost, climate change: what this really means is anthropogenic (i.e. caused by humans) global warming. It’s mainly caused by burning fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps heat like a greenhouse and raises global temperatures. Unless we stop doing this (and we’re not), then temperatures will keep increasing so that climatic zones keep moving towards the poles, with horrific consequences for [nature](/thna/the_nature_problem) and for people living in drought-susceptible countries.+So, (bearing in mind that these benefits are not happening, and can only happen in a stable economy), first and foremost, climate change: what this really means is anthropogenic (i.e. caused by humans) global warming. It’s mainly caused by burning fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps heat like a greenhouse and raises global temperatures. Unless we stop doing this (and we’re not), then temperatures will keep increasing so that climatic zones keep moving towards the poles, with horrific consequences for [nature](/ntre/nature) and for people living in drought-susceptible countries.
  
 <WRAP center centeralign> <WRAP center centeralign>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-led.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-led.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- People often negate the benefits of LED lights by installing too many of them.+ _People often negate the benefits of LED lights by installing too many of them._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-clothes.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-clothes.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Clothes lines in Iceland and Lebanon. Outside, air-drying of clothes has happened forever, [in all parts of the world](https://www.featureshoot.com/2016/06/seeing-the-world-through-clotheslines-from-italy-to-china-sponsored/).  Images: [Drw25](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Drw25) and [Ankara](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ankara), [CC BY-SA 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)+ _Clothes lines in Iceland and Lebanon. Outside, air-drying of clothes has happened forever, [in all parts of the world](https://www.featureshoot.com/2016/06/seeing-the-world-through-clotheslines-from-italy-to-china-sponsored/).  Images: [Drw25](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Drw25) and [Ankara](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ankara), [CC BY-SA 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)_
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 Now there’s not much you can do personally to change the government’s position on trying to achieve perpetual economic growth, but you don’t have to contribute to it with your personal consumption. However, you’ll sometimes hear things like: ‘it’s not worth thinking about reducing our energy use, because China’s energy consumption is exploding’. Well, China’s _per capita_ energy use is way lower than the West’s; plus, China is using a lot of that energy to produce stuff for Western markets! Now there’s not much you can do personally to change the government’s position on trying to achieve perpetual economic growth, but you don’t have to contribute to it with your personal consumption. However, you’ll sometimes hear things like: ‘it’s not worth thinking about reducing our energy use, because China’s energy consumption is exploding’. Well, China’s _per capita_ energy use is way lower than the West’s; plus, China is using a lot of that energy to produce stuff for Western markets!
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 There’s so much energy saving advice out there that we’ll just give you a taster sample here. Many of them are just common sense. There’s so much energy saving advice out there that we’ll just give you a taster sample here. Many of them are just common sense.
  
-### Downshifting / not buying things+==== Downshifting / not buying things ====
  
 Most advice tends to be about reducing your energy bills. So then you’ll have more money to spend on other things. Even if you spend it on something that doesn’t require energy, say a massage (or not very much energy – maybe a room is heated that wouldn’t have been otherwise, maybe you drive to the masseur etc.), then that money is in the economy, and will be used over and over again. This, in microcosm, relates to the Jevons Paradox mentioned above. Most advice tends to be about reducing your energy bills. So then you’ll have more money to spend on other things. Even if you spend it on something that doesn’t require energy, say a massage (or not very much energy – maybe a room is heated that wouldn’t have been otherwise, maybe you drive to the masseur etc.), then that money is in the economy, and will be used over and over again. This, in microcosm, relates to the Jevons Paradox mentioned above.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-gdp.png) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-gdp.png)
 <caption> <caption>
- In the real world, GDP and energy use are inseparable ([USDA Economic Research Institute and BP](https://ourfiniteworld.com/2011/11/15/is-it-really-possible-to-decouple-gdp-growth-from-energy-growth/)).+ _In the real world, GDP and energy use are inseparable ([USDA Economic Research Institute and BP](https://ourfiniteworld.com/2011/11/15/is-it-really-possible-to-decouple-gdp-growth-from-energy-growth/))._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
-### Changing behaviour+==== Changing behaviour ====
  
 Most of the topics on this site reduce energy use. For example, a compost toilet removes the need for the pumping of water to flush waste away; cob building removes the need for the energy to produce bricks and cement; growing veg in the garden doesn’t require energy to transport veg to the shops; and so on. Here are a few energy-related ideas: Most of the topics on this site reduce energy use. For example, a compost toilet removes the need for the pumping of water to flush waste away; cob building removes the need for the energy to produce bricks and cement; growing veg in the garden doesn’t require energy to transport veg to the shops; and so on. Here are a few energy-related ideas:
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-saucepan.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/energysaving-saucepan.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- A saucepan with a lid on will require a lot less energy for cooking. You can save more energy by using [retained heat techniques](/reth/retained-heat), [slow cookers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_cooker), or eating more [raw food](/rawl/raw_living_food).+ _A saucepan with a lid on will require a lot less energy for cooking. You can save more energy by using [retained heat techniques](/reth/retained-heat), [slow cookers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_cooker), or eating more [raw food](/rawl/raw_living_food)._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Purchases+==== Purchases ====
  
 Then it’s down to things we can buy (but only if we really have to buy them): Then it’s down to things we can buy (but only if we really have to buy them):
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-[See here](/ensa/energy_saving) for many more energy-saving ideas. And finally, if this stuff fascinates you, maybe a career as a [domestic energy assessor](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/domestic-energy-assessor) is for you.+[See here](https://www.lowimpact.org/categories/utilities/energy-saving/further-info/domestic-energy-saving-tips/) for many more energy-saving ideas. And finally, if this stuff fascinates you, maybe a career as a [domestic energy assessor](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/domestic-energy-assessor) is for you.
  
  
-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/power). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Energy Saving Trust](https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/) - [Energy Saving Trust](https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/)
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 - [The Jevons Paradox and the Myth of Resource Efficiency Improvements](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/jevons-paradox-resource-efficiency.pdf) - [The Jevons Paradox and the Myth of Resource Efficiency Improvements](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/jevons-paradox-resource-efficiency.pdf)
  
-## Specialists+ 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [DIY](diys:diy) 
 +- [Downshifting](down:downshifting) 
 +- [Insulation](insu:insulation) 
 +- [LED lighting](ledl:led_lighting) 
 +- [Low-impact energy](lien:energy) 
 +- [Retained heat cooking](reth:retained-heat) 
 +- [Retrofitting & refurbishment](retf:retrofitting) 
 +- [Solar cookers](solr:solar_cookers) 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  • ensa/energy_saving.1765199717.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/08 13:15
  • by Dave Darby