The interesting part of the study was the policy piece – how considering both efficiency and renewables in crafting policy can get much greater results than approaching them separately – 1+1=3. Considering them together lets you time things better, lower and stabilize pricing, smooth geographic bumps, etc. It's obvious when you think about it, but in practice the two are not usually considered together – e.g. tax credits for renewables don't take efficiency into account.

This year we replaced our fridge and our air conditioner (both about 10 years old). Our 3 monthly energy bill dropped by 30%.

Buying green energy in Maryland is going to cost me a premium of 20-30%.

It's a wash for me financially but without a doubt a big win environmentally. We're going wind power in our house.