These 8 Animals Embody Energy Efficiency…Literally! Pt. 2

Energy efficiency is important for helping businesses reduce its energy consumption and realize cost savings. According to the EPA, “improving energy efficiency is one of the most constructive and cost-effective ways to address the challenges of high energy prices, energy security and independence, air pollution, and global climate change.”

Constellation offers a variety of energy efficiency solutions, including a program called Efficiency Made Easy (EME). Efficiency Made Easy is designed to help businesses fund high-impact energy efficiency upgrades through their electricity supply contract. Customers enrolled in EME have saved on energy costs and, between 2011-2013, reduced CO2 emissions by over 166 million pounds and counting.

Yet, Constellation isn’t the only entity that thinks energy efficiency is vital. With the help from our friends at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, we have discovered that certain animals take being energy efficient to a whole new level! In a two-part blog series, we will reveal 8 animals that display extraordinary qualities of conserving energy and adaptation.

In this blog, we will reveal 4 animals residing at the National Aquarium in Baltimore that exemplify what it means to be truly energy efficient.

To read part one of this two part blog, click HERE.

Photo & info courtesy of the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Sand Tiger Shark

While sharks occupy the top-tier of the ocean food chain, and our intense focus for an entire week each year, these predators are also extremely energy efficient. Here are a few examples:

• The skin of a shark is made up of dermal denticles. These backward facing, tiny tooth-like scales that cover a shark’s body actually help them swim faster and more efficiently by reducing water resistance.

• The interrupted, wavy fashion in which most sharks swim allow them to achieve tremendous speeds with outstanding energy economy.

• Sharks utilize 2 breathing methods: buccal pumping and ram ventilation. Buccal pumping is when a shark pumps water through their mouth and over their gills while conserving energy by reducing other activity. Ram ventilators evolved with energy efficiency in mind. Since it’s more advantageous to take in water while swimming, ram ventilating occurs when a shark increases its speed to pump water through its mouth and out their gills. While it may seem counterintuitive to speed up when faced with less oxygen, it’s actually more efficient for them. The sand tiger shark (pictured above) is one of many types of sharks that can utilize either breathing methods.

Photo & info courtesy of the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Upside-Down Jellyfish

• Found in warmer coastal waters, this genus of true jellyfish does not primarily hunt prey to sustain itself. The jelly depends on unicellular algae, known as zooxanthellae, for partial nutrition along with consuming zooplankton. Zooxanthellae use photosynthesis to create nutrition from sunlight, which is then absorbed by the jelly for its own survival.

Photo & info courtesy of the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Sea Turtles

• Cold-blooded animals, such as the sea turtle shown above, do not need to burn off stored energy to maintain their body temperatures. Instead, they store energy longer and can survive months without eating, if necessary.

Photo & info courtesy of the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Two-Toed Sloth

• Sloths typically sleep anywhere from 15-20 hours per day, which makes them one of the masters of energy conservation.
• In addition to sleeping, sloths conserve energy by breaking down food on a much slower pace than most animals. It can take up to a month for a sloth to digest a single meal.

Are you interested in learning how your business can benefit from energy efficiency upgrades? Click HERE to request to speak with one of our qualified energy efficiency representatives.