Today's world view of energy efficiency is very different from the energy conservation mentality of the 1970s, which is recalled by those of us who were around then as a time of long lines at the gas pumps and diminished comfort in our homes and places of work.
The energy efficiency model of today involves benefits, not sacrifices. In high performance buildings, energy efficient design begins with a methodical reduction of the building's heating and cooling loads - those imposed by climate and those generated by people and equipment. With all loads minimized, mechanical systems are then selected based on highest output for lowest fuel consumption.