**Preface to "Energy Use Efficiency"**

Energy is one of the most important factors of production. Its efficient use is crucial for ensuring production, profitability of firms and environmental quality. Unlike normal goods—which generally have supply management procedures to maximize sales—energy is demand-managed, with the objective to minimize its use. Efficient energy use aims to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. Energy use efficiency can be achieved in residential settings, offices, industrial production, transport and agriculture, as well as in public lighting and services. The use of energy can be reduced by using technology that is energy saving and by reducing energy-using activities. There are many benefits associated with reducing energy use, including reduced energy dependency and vulnerability, and improved energy security. Various incentive-based programs have been introduced to the industry and public to promote the development, installation and use of energy efficient technologies and equipment. The policy is, in general, oriented to protect the air, water and land, and to prevent climate change and the associated negative health impacts by reducing the generation and use of energy from fossil fuels and nuclear primary sources. Saving energy to reserve fossil fuels for future generations and conserving natural resources has double dividend effects in the form of cost efficiency and the realization of sustainability.

This Special Issue contains 15 papers on energy use efficiency in different countries, locations and economic sectors. The areas of analysis include: undesirable outputs in the electricity power generation sector; the dynamics of heat transfer in buildings; energy efficiency management in companies; adoption of electricity smart meters in residential settings; assessment of corporate average fuel economy standards for passenger cars; modelling the air pollutant emissions of the road transportation sector; manufacturing energy intensity and energy efficiency in the manufacturing industry; measurement of energy access among regions; energy use and labor productivity in the manufacturing industry; vehicle energy consumption analysis; international comparison of energy use efficiency; effectiveness of power factor correction policies; technological progress of the fuel consumption rate for passenger vehicles; directed rebound effect for electricity consumption of urban residents, and comparison of energy use efficiency at the province level. This Special Issue provides good coverage on energy use efficiency theories, methods and diverse applications, therefore contributing important knowledge to the literature.

> **Almas Heshmati** *Editor*

*Article*
