As October marks National Energy Awareness Month, the spotlight is on energy efficiency and its impact on both the environment and household budgets. The personal-finance website WalletHub recently released its report on 2024’s Most & Least Energy-Efficient States, revealing which states help residents save the most on utility costs while reducing their environmental footprint.
With the average U.S. family spending over $2,000 annually on utilities, energy efficiency is more critical than ever. WalletHub’s analysis compared the energy efficiency of homes and vehicles across 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii due to data limitations.
Kentucky ranked 40th overall, indicating significant room for improvement. The state placed 39th in home energy efficiency and 38th in vehicle-fuel efficiency, showing higher energy consumption and less efficient use of gasoline compared to many other states. Kentucky’s best performance was in transportation efficiency, where it ranked 27th, reflecting fewer miles driven per capita.
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Energy efficiency can greatly reduce the amount of electricity, gas, and other fuels consumed, helping households save money while benefiting the planet.
“While there are some steps you can take to become more energy-efficient on your own, living in the right area can give you a big boost,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst.
For Kentuckians looking to cut costs and conserve energy, improving home insulation, switching to energy-efficient appliances, and reducing unnecessary driving can help make strides in a state that lags behind in energy efficiency.
This article appears in LEO Weekly presents Readers’ Choice 2024.
