Going into this winter, energy has become an even more important topic. Not only do we have to ask where our energy is coming from strictly from an environmental standpoint but this year, we ask us “where WILL our energy come from”? A lot of people are putting on extra clothing rather then turning on their heating because it has become more expensive. Energy efficiency has not only become an important tool to fight climate change but also to save money. But does being energy efficient also mean that one is financially efficient? Is it a good idea to invest money in energy efficiency? Are there any incentives and subventions? These questions will be answered in Topic 3 of our e-course on Energy Literacy. This topic consists of 7 subtopics and the knowledge will be transferred in an entertaining and informational manner. In the end you will not only know how to save energy but also how to save money.
The first topic the advantages and risks of investing in energy efficiency will be explained. Making your household more energy efficient will always involve investing money. When making these investments, there will be some obstacles like the rebound effect or landlord problems, but once you’re informed about them, you’ll manage them and be ready to enjoy the advantages of energy efficiency. This theoretical topic will become more concrete in the next subtopic, where you will learn about measures to be energy and financially efficient. This of course includes every day households applications, but also heating and cooling, the lighting of your home, as well as bigger measures such as insolation. Theoretical knowledge is only half as good, if one does not know how to use it in the praxis. Since energy efficient products or insolation measures often require some money to invest, it is important to know how to calculate the energy and financial efficiency of their investments. In this lesson, several calculation methods, such as the ROI, payback and net present value will be taught. Becoming energy efficient does not have to rest on your shoulders alone. There are rebates, credits tax incentives when you invest in energy efficiency, however, those are not always easy to find them. But don’t worry, we will help you. Since young adults are often generally interested in financial investments, we’ll also list some of the pros and cons of investing in green energy portfolios. In the last two subtopics of this chapter, we have some more practical lessons, such as what certain energy labels mean, so you know you are buying energy efficient products, as well as how to read your energy bill.
Living a more sustainable life does not always mean that it will cost you money. To become energy efficient, one must invest some money but with the right knowledge, one can even save money through it. After Topic 3, you will be able to be energy efficient in a financially efficient manner.