Energy is a top household expense, with the average family in America spending over $2,000 each year on utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Gas ran the average consumer another $2,449 in 2023.
However, the DOE estimates that energy-efficient measures can reduce utility costs up to 25%, and more fuel-efficient vehicles can save drivers nearly $900 per year.
Financial resource site WalletHub analyzed available data to determine which states’ residents are most energy efficient.
Here’s how Washington fared.
Which states are most energy efficient?
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Climatic Data Center, U.S. Energy Information Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, WalletHub ranked the 48 contiguous states for energy efficiency. Hawai’i and Alaska were excluded from the analysis due to data limitations, according to WalletHub.
Both auto and home energy consumption were analyzed with a goal of gauging “the impact of doing more with less energy,” according to a press release.
Washington state took the top spot for home and auto energy efficiency in the U.S., according to the analysis. Each state was given a total score out of 100, with a perfect score reflecting optimal energy efficiency. Washington received a 79.71 overall score, with the second-best home energy efficiency and eighth-best auto energy efficiency.
The top 10 states for energy efficiency are:
- 1. Washington — 79.71
- 2. New York — 79.65
- 3. California — 78.49
- 4. Vermont — 75.60
- 5. Utah — 75.26
- 6. Massachusetts — 74.87
- 7. Oregon — 74.81
- 8. Minnesota — 73.73
- 9. Rhode Island — 71.54
- 10. Colorado — 69.78
- The bottom three were:
- * (46) West Virginia — 28.01
- * (47) — Alabama — 27.30
- * (48) — South Carolina — 21.92
Some of the factors contributing to Washington’s high ranking are the low residential energy consumption (third-best), and low average miles driven per year (third-fewest), according to the data analyzed for the study.
Determining the most energy-efficient states
The point system examined factors across two key dimensions.
The first, home energy efficiency, was measured by calculating the ratio of total residential energy consumption to annual degree days.
The second, auto energy efficiency, includes scores for vehicle fuel efficiency (determined by dividing the annual vehicle miles driven by gasoline consumed) and transportation efficiency (measured by annual vehicle miles driven per capita).
Each dimension was given a proportional weight to reflect national consumption patterns on the 100-point scale, according to the press release. The total score for each state was tallied for the final ranking.
Washington’s energy efficient practices
The Washington State Department of Commerce believes the state’s energy codes impact the high ranking, according to an email from communications consultant Ellen Yoffee.
“The Pacific Northwest has invested significant resources in energy conservation in existing buildings over the last 40 years,” Yoffee stated in the email. “Utilities have robust energy efficiency programs that have been in place or decades.”
Yoffee referenced the Northwest Power Act, established in 1980, as the beginning of Washington’s emphasis on energy efficiency and continued energy planning efforts. Over time, state and federal investments have further developed utility conservation programs.
The Evergreen State has also pioneered standards for energy efficiency, in both statewide building performance standards and in minimum appliance efficiency standards in unregulated equipment.
“Under Governor Inslee’s leadership, we recognize that sustained policy and investment in climate action will bring positive outcomes for all Washingtonians,” Commerce Director Mike Fong stated by email. “This report confirms that a commitment to clean energy and strategic planning positions our state as a national leader in economic growth, job creation, and quality of life.”
