Tennessee, and much of the South, ranked among least energy efficient states, study says

In a recent study by WalletHub, it was revealed which states lead the nation when it comes to energy efficiency.

Tennessee ranked near the bottom of the list at number 42, with the majority of southeastern and southwestern states trailing far behind northeastern, midwestern and western states. According to the study, Utah is the most energy efficient state, with South Carolina being the least.

Hawaii and Alaska were not included in the study due to data limitations.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average U.S. family spends at least $2,000 per year on utilities, with heating and cooling alone making up more than half the bill. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2022, consumers were spending $3,120 on motor fuel and oil.

Methodology

In order to determine how each state ranked, WalletHub compared 48 states across two dimensions - home energy efficiency and auto energy efficiency.

Home energy efficiency was obtained by calculating the ratio of total residential energy consumption to annual degree days, Auto energy efficiency was obtained in two ways. First, dividing the annual vehicle miles driven by gallons of gasoline consumed determined vehicle-fuel efficiency. Secondly, annual vehicle miles driven per capita was measured to determine transportation efficiency.

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Each dimension was weighted proportionally to reflect national consumption patterns and each dimension equaled 50 points. States were then graded out of a possible total 100 points.

To see each state's ranking, visit wallethub.com.

How to make your home more energy efficient

In order to make homes more energy efficient, experts recommend using as much natural lighting as possible and turning off devices and electronics when not is use.

"If the weather permits, facilitate natural ventilation as much as possible," said Sanjay Srinivasan, director of the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. "Be conscious about the devices around you that are absolutely needed. Power off or use energy-saving features in the devices that you do not frequently use."

If you are looking to build a home which is more energy efficient, it is recommended to pay attention to airflow and circulation in the design and layout of the home.

"If you live in a hot climate, consider installing a reflective metal roof system," said Jim Rossi, Judge D.L. Lansden Chair in Law at Vanderbilt University. "A two-story home will reduce exterior wall exposure, saving considerable energy especially if you live in an area with cold winters."

Before making upgrades to your home, consider using the Home Energy Score. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, the score provides a rating of your home's existing efficiency, offers a list of recommended improvements and potential savings.

For more tips on making home more energy efficient, visit energy.gov.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana