This month we begin the conversation about product efficiency, which sounds fairly simple on the face of it.It’s often said that the truest definition of insanity is doing something the same way and expecting a different result from the time before.This applies over and over again to the products we purchase in terms of energy efficiency.We just buy the “curly” light bulbs and look for Energy Star tags when we have to replace appliances, and that should do it, right?Well, it’s actually a little more complicated than that, and with so many choices and products out there, the Department of Energy is here to help.Looking at the wider picture first, the Government is already beginning to encourage better consumer choices by lowering customs duty on more efficient products.For instance, compact fluorescent light bulbs are duty-free. But, within the actual category, there can be differences in light quality, lifespan, payback period, and of course, price.Lowering the duty means that retailers can offer these products at a lower price point than they would otherwise be available at a higher rate of duty.Another thing the consumer should be aware of include the “temperature” of the light they wish to have this has nothing to do with the heat coming off the light bulb, but rather the colour. There is quite a range of choices now to the colour of the lighting, from a warm or yellowish tone or a cooler tone. It’s not like the early days of these items when all that was available was a stark and glaring colour.Another point for consideration is how long will the bulb last, and how long until it pays for itself in savings, and this life-cycle analysis is something that we all need to consider in the purchase of anything that consumes energy.LED lights can also benefit the consumer, with long life spans and a wide range of colours and brightness.Lighting isn’t the only thing, of course, there are many other products to examine.Clothes washers and dryers, air conditioners, automobiles, motorcycles, refrigerators, even televisions, computers and other electronics add to the picture.For example, a washing machine with a high-speed spin cycle that removes most of the water from your clothes may mean that your dryer, if you use one, has a lot less work to do, therefore improving its efficiency albeit indirectly.Diesel cars are inherently more efficient than gasoline powered ones, so why not invest in one of those when it comes time to replace your old car? Good information is the key.Let’s also look at the Energy Star labeling. Did you know that there is a wide range of efficiencies within that category? Just because it has the familiar yellow label doesn’t mean it’s always the best thing you can get.Bear in mind that the cost you see on the labels regarding how much the appliance costs to run each year is based on North American average electricity pricing, which is about ten cents per kilowatt hour, about a quarter of our costs if you count fuel adjustment.Knowing that those labels aren’t designed for our market, you have more information to better inform your purchase.Determining whether these product solutions are right for us, and whether the answers lie more in our behaviours, or if a combination of several approaches is right for us can be daunting and confusing.Luckily, there are professionals in Bermuda who can help you with that, namely energy auditors. These are individuals trained to analyse your consumption who will provide not only reports, but actual suggestions on how you can be more efficient in your own home or business.Remember it’s not the first cost of an item that is the only determining factor in your purchase you should be looking at how much the product will cost to operate over its lifetime, too. Armed with all the facts, your purchases will be better for your bank account and better for our environment!As we said earlier, we are here to help. You can find free, downloadable information on product efficiency for most residential equipment on our website, www.energy.gov.bm.We also encourage you to contact the Department of Energy with any questions or comments at energy[AT]gov.bm.