The term “energy efficiency” has two meanings. The first relates to electronic appliances and the second relates to measures. Energy efficient appliance is the one that has a high degree of efficiency i.e.small losses while transforming one form of energy into another. For example, an ordinary” light bulb transforms a significant amount of electric energy into heat energy, and just a small amount into useful light energy. Having this in mind, the above mentioned bulb is an energy inefficient device. When it comes to measures, energy efficiency includes measures implemented with the aim of reducing energy consumption. No matter whether it is a technological or non technological measure, or changes in behavior, all measures include the same, or even a higher degree of achieved comfort and standards of living.

One of the definitions of sustainable development is; “Development that meets the needs of the present generations, but without negative consequences on the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This refers to the use of energy and to the use of energy resources that will not have devastating consequences on the future. Negative consequences of present development can be seen in excessive pollution of the planet and depletion of fossil fuel resources. Sustainable development has the aim of raising the quality of life both for us and for our children.

Fossil fuels include coal, oil and natural gas. Fossil fuels are formed during the process of fossilization of dead animals and plants, millions of years ago.  When these fuels combust, the chemical energy they contain is transformed into heat energy. Heat energy is further used for heating water (in heating plants) or for production of steam (in power plants), or it transforms itself into mechanical work and it runs our vehicles. Today, the most significant amount of energy is formed by combustion of fossil fuels.

The most significant amount of energy that we receive is formed by combustion of fossil fuels (coal, liquid fuels, natural gas). Harmful gases(carbon-monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides) are produced during this process and they are released into the atmosphere, as well as liquid and solid waste disposed in landfill sites near an energy facility. Environmental impacts depend on the type of production of energy facility (conventional power plants, gas turbine engines, combined gas-steam plant) and types of fuel.

All environmental impacts can be divided into local, regional and global. Local impacts are emissions of fly ash, soot, waste heat and noise. Regional impacts are emissions of nitrous and sulphur oxides that form acids with moisture (also known as “acid rain”). Emission of carbon-monoxide and methane ha global impact, leading to the effect of global warming (the greenhouse effect).

This effect relates to the excessive warming of the Earth’s surface. An amount of thermal radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface is radiated back into the atmosphere and instead of going back to space it is absorbed by some gasses in the atmosphere and it is reflected back onto the Earth’s surface. In this way the Earth’s temperature increases. Gasses contributing the most to this phenomenon are carbon-monoxide and methane. This effect is partially useful because without it, Earth’s temperature would be lower by approximately 35C. However, excessive use of fossil fuels leads to the increase in the concentration of the above mentioned gasses into the atmosphere and increased heating of the Earth’s surface, i.e. the greenhouse effect and climate changes.

Increased impact of the greenhouse effect, leading to the phenomenon of global warming of the Earth’s surface, influences on the sea level rise (due to melting of the polar ice caps) and on global increase in the amount of precipitation. Changes can be seen in flooding and erosion of coasts and coastal areas. The amount and types of crops in agriculture is changed due to climate phenomena. Changes occur in supply and in the quality of drinking water and so on.

One of the most important measures for reducing the greenhouse effect and global warming is a change of our behavior related to the way we use energy. We reduce the emission of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere by using energy more efficiently. Also, by using renewable sources of energy, such as wind, sun and biomass, we are producing energy without emission of carbon-monoxide and therefore we significantly reduce the amount of gasses responsible for the greenhouse effect.

Renewable energy comes from sources of energy that are continually renewed during one year. Primary sources of renewable energy are sun (solar energy), wind, moving water (rivers, tides, sea waves) heat inside the earth (geothermal energy in the form of hot water or steam, steam heat), and biomass (wood, organic waste and various oil crops)

Inhabitants of the earth are more aware of the consequences caused by excessive and irrational use of energy. In the wider population in the EU and USA, there is a more developed awareness related to the need for energy efficiency and the importance of using renewable sources of energy. Also, their official web sites and materials dedicate far more attention to this issue, and investments in energy efficiency in all areas are higher. Certainly their economic power is much higher than our, therefore they can think in a different way. However, less economic power does not relieve us from the obligation to think and do what we can regarding same issues.

Nevertheless, according to some statistical analysis related to views and habits of EU citizens, it is still possible to do a lot, especially in the area of education and promotion of public awareness. Citizens are not sufficiently informed about all the measures needed to be implemented in order to achieve a more significant reduction in energy consumption, but certainly without damaging the comfort. When it comes to us, one of the roles of our Agency is the contribution to the promotion of awareness about how are we using energy today and improvement of awareness on  what can we do on this issue. Sometimes it is about very simple changes in habits and sometimes it is about small or less investments returned In a short period of time.

In 1992, the European Union adopted a directive on obligatory labeling of electric appliances for households with labels for indicating the energy class. The reason for doing this is harmonization of national measures within the Union, in terms of establishing minimum standards in the area of energy efficiency. The aim of labels is that final customers are in a clear and simple way                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        informed on the efficiency of appliance. Another aim is that final customers choose to buy energy efficient appliances. Appliance for households can not be sold on the market of the European Union without the energy class label, featured in a prominent place, nor without provided technical documentation that accompanies the appliance.                                                                                                                                                              

The Energy Labeling Directive relates to:

• Refrigerators, freezers and combined fridges-freezers
• Dishwashers
• Electric drying machines
• Combined washer-dryers
• Electric stoves
• Air conditioners
• Bulbs

All listed appliances must be labeled according to their energy efficiency class. Manufacturers and importers have to provide technical documentation that proves that the product is accurately labeled.

The label is helping us to make a better choice when buying a home appliance,because it contains information on energy consumption and on the efficiency of the appliance. When it comes to energy and other features, letters from “A” to “G” refer to the quality of the appliance. If the appliance is closer to the letter “A”, the appliance has more quality. Energy classes “A”,”A+”,”A++” are the most efficient appliances. According to legislation,  additional labels (“+” and “++”) indicate that the appliance is more energy efficient than the one relating to the category “A”.

Differences between appliances of different efficiency can be significant. Differences can appear in a type of embedded engines, compressors, pumps, valves, electronic sensors etc. Even if two appliances look very similar from the outside, a significant difference is possible regarding consumption, as a consequence of their substantial constructional difference.

There are at least two reasons. First, electricity bills will be reduced by using a larger number of energy efficient appliances. Secondly, smaller energy consumption leads to the reduction of pollution, better preservation of environment and natural resources. To illustrate,2 kilograms of coal (lignite) are consumed in our power plants for every kilowatt hour of electricity.