Cost is also a factor with consideration of energy usage. For example, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and Energy Efficiency For All found in their 2016 study that in the typical 1,583 square foot home, the energy burden cost was 3.5% of the average household’s annual income. This burden is highlighted even more so when reflecting on statistics that indicate for lower-income families – goes as high as 7.2% of yearly income. Their conclusion, energy efficiency can ease that hardship and benefit everyone.
Governmental regulation is also driving consumption and energy efficiency requirements. Specifically, in California, water use and energy consumption are being regulated and looked at for future mandates.
With this in mind, many homeowners and consumers are thinking about energy efficiency. For example, in the Demand Institutes Housing Stratification Gap Study, only 35% were satisfied with their current home energy efficiency. And 90% of households had taken some measures in the past five years to reduce energy consumption.