New York is one of the most energy-efficient states in the country, according to a new study from WalletHub.
WalletHub measured home and car energy efficiency in 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii due to data limitations. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American family spends at least $2,000 a year on utilities, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the average consumer will spend an additional $2,450 on gasoline by 2023.
“Energy efficiency not only helps save the planet – it also helps you save money by reducing the amount of electricity, gas, oil or other types of energy you have to use,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “While there are some steps you can take to become more energy efficient yourself, living in the right environment can give you a big boost.”
Here’s what you need to know.
Top 5 Energy Efficient States in the US
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Washington
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New York
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California
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Vermont
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Utah
Why NY is one of the most energy efficient states
Strong public transportation systems are what sets New York apart from other states in terms of energy efficiency, WalletHub says. New Yorkers drive far fewer miles each year than residents of any other state, traveling an average of just 3,770 miles per year, compared to more than 13,000 miles for the average American.
The Empire State has the sixth lowest energy consumption per capita and also the eighth highest residential energy efficiency.
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How WalletHub measures energy efficiency
To determine its rankings, WalletHub compared home energy efficiency by calculating the ratio of total home energy use to annual degree days and auto energy efficiency by dividing annual vehicle miles by gallons of gasoline consumed (fuel efficiency of vehicles) and taking into account annual vehicle kilometers driven per capita (transport efficiency).
The data used to compile the rankings was collected as of September 17, 2024 and comes from the US Census Bureau, National Climatic Data Center, US Energy Information Administration and US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect team, focusing on scams and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Contact ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY is one of the most energy efficient states in the US. This is why
