Using energy efficiently is very important. By doing it, people can cut down on their energy costs, stop relying on oil and gas suppliers and help protect the environment. What is important in energy efficiency is that it be implemented into all stages of the energy chain.

The current EU target for energy savings by the year 2020 is 20 percent. This is the rough equivalent of turning off approximately four hundred power stations. And for the year 2030, the European Commission proposed a goal of 30 percent and countries agreed on the goal being set at 27 percent or more. For more information visit: http://exergy-orc.com/applications/geothermal

To improve energy efficiency in Europe, there are a number of measures being implemented. Firstly, there is an annual reduction of 1.5 percent in energy sales on a national level and renovations to at least 3 percent of government buildings. Another measure is the introduction of mandatory energy efficiency certificates when buying or renting a building, and the labelling for energy efficiency on products like boilers, televisions, lighting, etc. Other than that, large companies are set to conduct audits on energy at least once per 4 years, and EU countries have to prepare action plans at least once every 3 years.

Concerning the progress made with these measures, there are definitely savings being made. In July 2014, the Energy Efficiency Communication stated that the predictions are that the EU will achieve a 18 to 19 percent improvement by 2020, missing the mark by just over 1 percent. However, if all the measures are properly implemented, it is definitely possible to reach the target without additional steps being taken.

So far, these measures have already produced nice benefits for European citizens. New buildings consume only half the amount of energy when compared to buildings in the 1980s and appliances which are more energy efficient are expected to save consumers just upwards of 100 billion euro every year, which is just over 450 euro per household.

But to reach the target, the most important thing is to make the shift to renewable energy sources when it comes to heating and cooling ( now the percentage is only 16 percent).There are issues and challenges there, but steps are being taken and it looks like we will see a brighter future soon.