How can you improve your energy performance?

1 Assess your current energy use

The first step to improve your energy performance is to understand how much and where you use energy. You can use various tools and methods to collect and analyze your energy data, such as energy audits, meters, bills, surveys, or benchmarks. These will help you identify your energy performance indicators (EPIs), which are metrics that reflect how well you use energy for a specific purpose or activity. For example, an EPI for a factory could be the amount of energy consumed per unit of output, while an EPI for a home could be the energy intensity per square meter of living space.

2 Set realistic and measurable goals

Once you have a clear picture of your current energy use and performance, you can set goals to improve it. Your goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, you could aim to reduce your energy consumption by 10% in one year, or to increase your energy efficiency by 15% in six months. You should also align your goals with your values, priorities, and motivations, and communicate them to your stakeholders, such as your family, employees, or customers.

3 Implement energy-saving strategies

To achieve your goals, you need to implement strategies that will help you use energy more wisely and effectively. Depending on your context and needs, some common strategies could include switching to renewable or low-carbon energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydro power; upgrading or replacing equipment and appliances with more energy-efficient models; adjusting behavior, habits, or routines to avoid wasting energy (e.g. turning off lights and electronics when not in use); investing in insulation, weatherization, or shading; and educating yourself and others about the benefits and best practices of energy management.

4 Monitor and evaluate your results

The final step to improve your energy performance is to monitor and evaluate your results regularly. You can use the same tools and methods that you used to assess your current energy use, and compare them with your baseline and your goals. This will help you track your progress, identify any gaps or challenges, and celebrate your achievements. You can also use feedback, surveys, or testimonials to measure the impact of your energy performance improvement on your satisfaction, comfort, or quality of life.

By following these steps, you can improve your energy performance and enjoy the benefits of using energy more efficiently and effectively. You can also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for yourself and others.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?