The average American’s interest in energy management is dependent on several variables. It can ebb and flow depending on the economy (national and personal), the local price of energy (e.g., how gas prices affect vehicle selections), environmental awareness, code and law updates, and more. New waves of technology — and their evolving price points — can also create sea changes in defining the “normal” consumer outlook.
On the far end of the scale, net-zero homes have started to enter the picture. That idea didn’t really exist 20 years ago, other than maybe certain highly individualized residences, off-the-grid communities, and possibly the stray group of yurts. Now, it’s becoming easier to envision net-zero existence while remaining part of civilization.