Taking Energy Smart measures are typically (near universally) also fiscally smart measures. However, starting from the fiscal (those dollars and cents) arguments often isn't persuasive enough to tip people to action. Nor are the very serious environmental (including Climate Chaos) challenges that Energy Smart practices help address enough to motivate most people to serious change. Recognizing the very real fiscal and environmental benefits, comfort (warmer homes) and capability (hybrids and other electric vehicles being more reliable and better handling) can be far more important to helping people recognize the value of and then deciding to take action.

Perhaps there is nowhere this is more true than with the U.S. military, where issues of "capability" are far more persuasive than putting on green eye shades (discussing dollars) or putting on green slogans in talking environmental benefits and issues.

Over the past several years, the U.S. military has been moving toward incorporating Energy Smart practices as a core value. This derives from a recognition that energy-smart practices foster greater effectiveness at all levels (tactical, operational and strategic) of warfare.