Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
For automobiles a 10% improvement in efficiency leads to an average 2% in-
crease in distance traveled. For appliances (or “white goods”) indirect effects have
led to a 90% rebound effect in purchases of large units with more features, accord-
ing to some studies. These percentages do not reflect economy-wide effects.
The rebound effect of savings obtained through energy efficiency might not be
enough to reduce increases in overall consumption in a society with an increasing
population and rising incomes. In this case gains in efficiency will still be offset by
an increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions.
