Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Energy consumption refers to the amount of energy used by individuals, organizations, or systems within a given period. It can include electricity usage, fuel consumption, and other forms of energy utilization.
Related terms
Sustainable Energy: Sustainable energy refers to renewable sources of energy that can be obtained from natural resources like sunlight (solar power), wind (wind power), water (hydropower), etc., which have minimal impact on the environment.
Carbon Footprint: Carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, or product. It helps assess the impact of energy consumption on climate change.
Energy Conservation: Energy conservation involves reducing energy usage through various methods like using efficient appliances, insulating buildings, and practicing habits that minimize unnecessary energy wastage.