What is energy?

Energy refers to available power or motivation to move, as in Jada found that getting enough sleep each night gave her the energy to live each day.

Energy also refers to power that is used with exertion or force, as in Monique brought energy to the team, leading them to win more games.

In physics, energy is the power or heat that is created when something moves, is burned, or is exerted. It is typically represented in two forms: potential and kinetic energy. Potential energy is power that is stored in something as it sits still or is unburned. For example, coal contains a large amount of potential energy that is released when the coal is burned. As the coal burns, that potential energy becomes kinetic energy, energy related to the particles in the system.

Energy is a common word with several other senses related to power or motivation.

Example: Darryl found out the hard way that cell phone batteries lose their energy in the cold.

Why ENERGY STAR?

 Why ENERGY STAR?

Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature can be expensive. A typical household’s energy bill is around $1,900 annually, and almost half of that goes to heating and cooling! To cut these costs, an air source heat pump (ASHP) can be installed and connected to the conventional forced-air ductwork system that is typical of most American homes. (For homes without ductwork, see www.energystar.gov/minisplit.)

ASHPs that earn the ENERGY STAR label are independently certified to save energy, save money, and protect the climate. Electric ASHPs use the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home. Because heat pumps move heat rather than converting it from fuel, as combustion heating systems do, an ASHP is so efficient that it can deliver up to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. ASHPs are also a smart investment year-round, as heat pumps serve double duty by also providing cooling in the summer months.