What does energy efficiency aim to reduce?

Energy efficiency specifically targets the reduction of energy waste. This concept revolves around using less energy to provide the same service or output, which means optimizing processes, technologies, and systems to minimize unnecessary energy consumption. For instance, energy-efficient appliances utilize technology that requires less electricity while maintaining performance, thereby saving energy that would otherwise be wasted.

While improving energy efficiency can also lead to reductions in carbon emissions and contribute positively to environmental sustainability, the primary focus remains on minimizing how much energy is wasted in the first place. The direct correlation between increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy waste highlights the importance of this concept in addressing broader environmental issues, including climate change. Reducing water usage is not a primary impact of energy efficiency, though it can be indirectly related in some scenarios where energy production involves significant water use.