Poorenduse

Poorenduse is a term used to describe inefficient or suboptimal use of resources at the end-user stage, particularly in energy, water, and material consumption. The concept emphasizes the gap between potential efficiency and actual usage by the consumer or end-use level, rather than the production or supply side alone. In energy policy, poor end-use occurs when devices, buildings, or processes consume more energy than necessary due to outdated equipment, inadequate insulation, unnecessary standby power, or suboptimal user behavior.

Measuring end-use efficiency often involves end-use surveys, metering, and service-based metrics that link energy or resource use to specific activities or services. This perspective helps identify where improvements can yield the largest benefits, such as upgrading appliances, enhancing building envelopes, or changing usage patterns. Common examples include lighting that relies on incandescent bulbs, heating or cooling systems with poor insulation or excessive airflow, and water fixtures with high flow rates.

Mitigation strategies focus on reducing waste and improving efficiency at the consumer level. Approaches include appliance and building energy standards, efficiency labeling, incentives for adopting efficient devices, retrofit programs, and public information campaigns. Limitations of the term include its lack of formal standardization and its potential overlap with broader concepts like end-use efficiency, consumer behavior, and rebound effects. See also end-use analysis, energy efficiency, and demand-side management.