When measuring energy efficiency, what does a higher percentage indicate?

A higher percentage in energy efficiency indicates that more useful energy output is achieved. This means that a greater proportion of the energy input into a system is being converted into useful work or energy, rather than being lost as waste heat or through other inefficiencies.

For example, if an appliance has a high energy efficiency percentage, most of the energy it consumes is being used for its intended purpose—such as heating, cooling, or powering a device—rather than being dissipated in the form of wasted energy. This concept is crucial because it directly relates to how effectively energy sources are being utilized, ultimately leading to less environmental impact and reduced energy costs.

Lower energy efficiency percentages suggest that a significant amount of energy is lost, which contradicts the goal of maximizing energy use for productive outputs. The focus in good design and operation of systems is always on enhancing this efficiency for better performance and sustainability.