Observed energy savings from appliance efficiency standards

No country has directly measured the actual energy savings resulting from efficiency standards, but many studies—mostly in North America—have indirectly observed savings. Methodological and practical obstacles to observing savings include the difficulty of defining baseline energy use and isolating the impact of technical improvements in efficiency from other changes in usage patterns. Laboratory measurements are cheaper and faster than field measurements, but they still must be calibrated to field use. Energy savings resulting from refrigerator efficiency improvements have been the most closely examined. Savings have been observed through laboratory comparisons, field measurements, and utility bill analysis. Actual savings correspond closely to those predicted in laboratory tests. Reductions in energy use from improvements in efficiency have also been observed for both heating and cooling equipment. Laboratory-measured differences in efficiency generally give accurate estimates of percentage savings, but give poor estimates of absolute savings. Energy savings from efficiency improvements have also been observed for freezers, water heaters, and showerheads. The generally large percentage savings observed in North America may also apply to Europe and Japan although the absolute savings will be smaller. Savings from new standards created in these countries must be verified.